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Scholz SM, Thalmann NF, Müller D, Trippolini MA, Wertli MM. Factors influencing pain medication and opioid use in patients with musculoskeletal injuries: a retrospective insurance claims database study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1978. [PMID: 38263185 PMCID: PMC10805862 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52477-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Opioid use is only recommended in selected cases of musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries. We assessed factors associated with increased opioid use in MSK injuries. In a retrospective analysis of over four million workers with MSK injuries using the Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund (Suva) database, we analyzed risk factors by multivariate logistic regression. Injury severity was associated with pain medication, opioid, and strong opioid use. Whereas fractures, contusions, and ruptures had higher odds for any pain medication use, increased odds for strong opioids were observed in fractures, superficial injuries, and other injuries. Injuries of the shoulders, elbow, chest, back/spine, thorax, and pelvis/hips showed high odds for opioid use (odds ratio (OR) > 2.0). Injuries of the shoulders had higher odds for strong opioid use (OR 1.136; 95% CI 1.040-1.241). The odds for using strong opioids increased from 2008 OR 0.843 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.798-0.891) to 2018 OR 1.503 (95% CI 1.431-1.578), compared to 2013. Injury severity, type of injury, and injured body parts influenced the use of pain medication and overall opioid use in musculoskeletal injuries. Strong opioids were more often used in fractures but also in superficial and other minor injuries, which indicates that other factors play a role when prescribing strong opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Markus Scholz
- Department of Statistics, Suva (Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund), Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Fabrice Thalmann
- Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Bern, Inselspital, Freiburgstrasse 18, 3010, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Dominic Müller
- Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Bern, Inselspital, Freiburgstrasse 18, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Maurizio Alen Trippolini
- School of Health Professions, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Murtenstrasse 10, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
- Institute of Physiotherapy, University Hospital of Bern, Inselspital, Freiburgstrasse 18, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
- Evidence-Based Insurance Medicine (EbIM), Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Totengässlein 3, 4051, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maria Monika Wertli
- Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Bern, Inselspital, Freiburgstrasse 18, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kantonsspital Baden, Baden, Switzerland
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Soyka M, Wild I, Caulet B, Leontiou C, Lugoboni F, Hajak G. Long-term use of benzodiazepines in chronic insomnia: a European perspective. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1212028. [PMID: 37599882 PMCID: PMC10433200 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1212028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic insomnia occurs in ~10% of the general population and has numerous negative health effects. The recommended first line treatment of cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia is not widely available for patients in Europe, so pharmacotherapies such as benzodiazepine receptor agonist agents (benzodiazepines and Z-drugs) are commonly used. However, their use is only recommended for ≤4 weeks due to unproven long-term efficacy in treatment of chronic insomnia, and the risk of tolerance, and the potential for dependence and misuse. In Europe, recommendations limiting the use of benzodiazepines (lowest dose and shortest duration) in chronic insomnia are not always followed, likely due to the lack of approved effective alternative therapies. Here we present a recent pilot survey of the pharmacological treatment landscape in chronic insomnia in five European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) and physicians' attitude toward treatment. The results suggest that benzodiazepines and Z-drugs are the most widely used treatments in chronic insomnia and are being used for longer than their recommended duration. Country variations in prescription rates were observed. Due to the known association between long-term benzodiazepine use and potential for developing dependence, further analysis of the literature was performed on the use and misuse of benzodiazepines. The results show that long-term use of benzodiazepines is associated with multiple consequences of treatment, including dependence, but also that previous use of benzodiazepines may increase the risk of opioid use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Soyka
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Imane Wild
- Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Allschwil, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Fabio Lugoboni
- Department of Internal Medicine, Addiction Unit, Verona University Hospital, Verona, Italy
| | - Göran Hajak
- University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Social Foundation Bamberg, Teaching Hospital of the University of Erlangen, Bamberg, Germany
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Siafis S, Fountoulakis KN, Fragkidis V, Papazisis G. Prescribing Z-drugs in Greece: an analysis of the national prescription database from 2018 to 2021. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:370. [PMID: 37237252 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04793-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Z-drugs are indicated for the short-treatment of insomnia, but they are associated with abuse, dependence and side-effects. There are only sparse data about Z-drug prescribing in Greece. METHODS We analyzed data from the Greek prescription database, considering prescriptions for the available Z-drugs in Greece, i.e., zolpidem and zopiclone, during the period from 01.10.2018 to 01.10.2021 in order to examine the prevalence, monthly number and characteristics of Z-drug prescriptions in Greece. RESULTS There were 1,229,842 prescriptions for Z-drugs (zolpidem: 89.7%) during the investigated period from 2018 to 2021, which corresponded to 156,554 patients (73.1% ≥ 65 years, 64.5% female). More than half of the patients (65.8%) had more than one prescription with a median number of 8, interquartile range IQR [3, 17], prescriptions during the three-year study period. Most patients (76.1%) were prescribed by medical specialties other than psychiatrists and neurologists, despite a considerable frequency of psychiatric comorbidities (53.7%). About half of patients with anxiety/depression were not prescribed anxiolytics or antidepressants, a practice more frequently observed among medical specialties other than psychiatrists and neurologists. The average annual prevalence of at least one prescription for Z-drugs in the Greek population during 2019-2020 was approximately 0.9% (higher in females and older adults). The monthly number of prescriptions was relatively stable with a median number of 334.2 IQR [310.4; 351.6] prescriptions per 100,000 persons. CONCLUSIONS A considerable number of patients are prescribed Z-drugs in Greece, more often older adults, females and patients with psychiatric comorbidities. The prescribing physicians were in the majority (70%) internists and general practitioners, while psychiatrists (10.9%) and neurologists (6.1%) accounted for a smaller proportion. Due to the limitations inherent to medical claims databases, further research is warranted in order to elucidate the potential abuse and misuse of Z-drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spyridon Siafis
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Konstantinos N Fountoulakis
- 3rd Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Vasileios Fragkidis
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgios Papazisis
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Clinical Research Unit, Special Unit for Biomedical Research and Education, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Rauschert C, Möckl J, Seitz NN, Wilms N, Olderbak S, Kraus L. The Use of Psychoactive Substances in Germany. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 119:527-534. [PMID: 35791270 PMCID: PMC9677535 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2022.0244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Monitoring the use of psychoactive substances and substance-related problems in the population allows for the assessment of prevalence and associated health and social consequences. METHODS The data are derived from the Epidemiological Survey of Substance Abuse (ESA) 2021 (n = 9046, 18-64 years). We estimated prevalence rates of the use of tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs, and psychoactive medications, as well as the prevalence rates of their problematic use (indicating dependence) using screening instruments, and extrapolated the results to the resident population (N = 51 139 451). RESULTS Alcohol was the most frequently used substance, with a 30-day prevalence of 70.5% (36.1 million people), followed by non-opioid analgesic drugs (47.4%; 24.2 million) and conventional tobacco products (22.7%; 11.6 million). E-cigarettes were used by 4.3% (2.2 million) and heat-not-burn products by 1.3% (665 000). Among illegal drugs (12-month prevalence), cannabis was the most frequently used (8.8%; 4.5 million), followed by cocaine/crack (1.6%; 818 000) and amphetamine (1.4%; 716 000). Rates of problematic use among the study participants were 17.6% for alcohol (9.0 million), 7.8% for tobacco (4.0 million), 5.7% for psychoactive medications (2.9 million), and 2.5% for cannabis (1.3 million). CONCLUSION The consumption of psychoactive substances continues to be widespread in Germany. In view of the imminent legal changes, the high prevalence of cannabis use and its problematic use need to be taken into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Rauschert
- IFT Institut für Therapieforschung, Munich,*IFT Institut für Therapieforschung Leopoldstraße 175 80804 München, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Sally Olderbak
- IFT Institut für Therapieforschung, Munich,Psychology Department, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA
| | - Ludwig Kraus
- IFT Institut für Therapieforschung, Munich,Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden,Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
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Rauschert C, Seitz NN, Olderbak S, Pogarell O, Dreischulte T, Kraus L. Subtypes in Patients Taking Prescribed Opioid Analgesics and Their Characteristics: A Latent Class Analysis. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:918371. [PMID: 35873263 PMCID: PMC9304960 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.918371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Owing to their pharmacological properties the use of opioid analgesics carries a risk of abuse and dependence, which are associated with a wide range of personal, social, and medical problems. Data-based approaches for identifying distinct patient subtypes at risk for prescription opioid use disorder in Germany are lacking. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify distinct subgroups of patients using prescribed opioid analgesics at risk for prescription opioid use disorder. METHODS Latent class analysis was applied to pooled data from the 2015 and 2021 Epidemiological Survey of Substance Abuse. Participants were aged 18-64 years and self-reported the use of prescribed opioid analgesics in the last year (n = 503). Seven class-defining variables based on behavioral, mental, and physical health characteristics commonly associated with problematic opioid use were used to identify participant subtypes. Statistical tests were performed to examine differences between the participant subtypes on sociodemographic variables and prescription opioid use disorder. RESULTS Three classes were extracted, which were labeled as poor mental health group (43.0%, n = 203), polysubstance group (10.4%, n = 50), and relatively healthy group (46.6%, n = 250). Individuals within the poor mental health group (23.2%, n = 43) and the polysubstance group (31.1%, n = 13) showed a higher prevalence of prescription opioid use disorder compared to those of the relatively healthy group. CONCLUSION The results add further evidence to the knowledge that patients using prescribed opioid analgesics are not a homogeneous group of individuals whose needs lie in pain management alone. Rather, it becomes clear that these patients differ in their individual risk of a prescription opioid use disorder, and therefore identification of specific risks plays an important role in early prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Rauschert
- Department of Epidemiology and Diagnostics, IFT Institut Für Therapieforschung, Munich, Germany
| | - Nicki-Nils Seitz
- Department of Epidemiology and Diagnostics, IFT Institut Für Therapieforschung, Munich, Germany
| | - Sally Olderbak
- Department of Epidemiology and Diagnostics, IFT Institut Für Therapieforschung, Munich, Germany.,Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Oliver Pogarell
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Dreischulte
- Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Ludwig Kraus
- Department of Epidemiology and Diagnostics, IFT Institut Für Therapieforschung, Munich, Germany.,Department of Public Health Sciences, Centre for Social Research on Alcohol and Drugs, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
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Verthein U, Buth S, Daubmann A, Martens MS, Schulte B. Trends in risky prescriptions of opioid analgesics from 2011 to 2015 in Northern Germany. J Psychopharmacol 2020; 34:1210-1217. [PMID: 32674662 PMCID: PMC7605054 DOI: 10.1177/0269881120936544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Due to their euphoric and sedative effects, opioid analgesics have high potential for abuse and dependence. In the last decade in the USA and many Western European Countries the prescription rates of opioid analgesics have steadily increased. OBJECTIVE This study describes 5-year trends in the prescription of opioid analgesics and risk indicators such as duration, dose and 'doctor shopping' in Northern Germany. METHODS The annual rates of opioid analgesic prescriptions have been analysed for patients with statutory health insurance processed by the North German Pharmacy Data Center for the years 2011-2015. A distinction was made between non-cancer patients and cancer patients, and different groups according to prescription duration and dose level. RESULTS Between 2011 and 2015, the annual number of patients with opioid analgesic prescriptions increased from 500,000 to 550,000. About half of non-cancer-patients (85% of the total sample) and cancer patients received opioid analgesics for 90 days or less. The rates for long-term prescriptions (⩾9 months) ranged between 6-7% for non-cancer patients and 7-8% for cancer patients. Between 1.2-1.8% received opioid analgesics in doses of more than two defined daily doses. The majority of non-cancer patients with opioid analgesic prescriptions were female. The average age of non-cancer patients was 66 years. About 80% of non-cancer patients with first opioid analgesic prescription received World Health Organization step II medication. CONCLUSION For the first time, this study provides comprehensive patient-related analyses of opioid analgesic prescriptions in Germany over a 5-year period. Despite a slight increase in the overall number of opioid analgesic prescriptions, an epidemic spread of opioid analgesics cannot be observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Verthein
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research of Hamburg University (ZIS), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sven Buth
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research of Hamburg University (ZIS), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anne Daubmann
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marcus-Sebastien Martens
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research of Hamburg University (ZIS), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Schulte
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research of Hamburg University (ZIS), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Wörz R. Description of Problematic Medications Alone Is Not Enough. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 117:97-98. [PMID: 32102730 PMCID: PMC7075453 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2020.0097b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
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Schubert I. Explanation of Methods Is Needed. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 117:98. [PMID: 32102731 PMCID: PMC7075460 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2020.0098a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Schubert
- *PMV forschungsgruppe, Medizinische Fakultät und Uniklinikum Köln
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Hummel J, Bierhals B, Breivogel B, Diehl A. A Trend Towards Causal Therapy. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 117:97. [PMID: 32102729 PMCID: PMC7075458 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2020.0097a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
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Buth S, Verthein U, Holzbach R. In Reply. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 117:98-99. [PMID: 32102732 PMCID: PMC7075454 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2020.0098b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sven Buth
- *Zentrum für interdisziplinäre Suchtforschung der Universität Hamburg (ZIS), Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie
| | - Uwe Verthein
- *Zentrum für interdisziplinäre Suchtforschung der Universität Hamburg (ZIS), Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie
| | - Rüdiger Holzbach
- **Klinik für Psychiatrie, psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Klinikum Hochsauerland
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Seitz NN, Lochbühler K, Atzendorf J, Rauschert C, Pfeiffer-Gerschel T, Kraus L. Trends In Substance Use And Related Disorders: Analysis of the Epidemiological Survey of Substance Abuse 1995 to 2018. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 116:585-591. [PMID: 31587706 PMCID: PMC6804271 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2019.0585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Changes in the use of psychoactive substances and medications and in the occurrence of substance-related disorders enable assessment of the magni- tude of the anticipated negative consequences for the population. METHODS Trends were analyzed in the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and other illegal drugs, analgesics, and hypnotics/sedatives, as well as trends in substance-related disorders, as coded according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). The data were derived from nine waves of the German Epidemiological Survey of Substance Abuse (Epidemiologischer Sucht- survey, ESA) from 1995 to 2018. The data were collected in written form or by means of a combination of paper and internet-based questionnaires or telephone interviews. RESULTS The estimated prevalence rates of tobacco and alcohol consumption and the use of hypnotics/sedatives decreased over time. On the other hand, increasing prevalence rates were observed for the consumption of cannabis and other illegal drugs and the use of analgesics. The trends in substance-related disorders showed no statistically significant changes compared to the reference values for the year 2018, except for higher prevalence rates of nicotine dependence, alcohol abuse and dependence, analgesic dependence, and hypnotic/sedative dependence in the year 2012 only. CONCLUSION Trends in tobacco and alcohol consumption imply a future decline in the burden to society from the morbidity, mortality, and economic costs related to these substances. An opposite development in cannabis use cannot be excluded. No increase over time was seen in the prevalence of analgesic dependence, but the observed increase in the use of analgesics demands critical attention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ludwig Kraus
- IFT Institute for Therapy Research, Munich
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Centre for Social Research on Alcohol and Drugs, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden and Institute of Psychology, ELTE, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
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