scholarly journals Prevalence of Opioid Dispensings and Concurrent Gastrointestinal Medications in Quebec

2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 395-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel E Williams ◽  
Nevzeta Bosnic ◽  
Carolyn T Sweeney ◽  
Ashlee W Duncan ◽  
Kristen B Levine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Severe Pain ◽  
Bowel Dysfunction ◽  
Opioid Therapy ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Insurance Plan ◽  
Patient Demographics ◽  
Cohort Design ◽  
Concurrent Use

BACKGROUND: Opioids are frequently prescribed for moderate to severe pain. A side effect of opioid usage is the inhibition of gastrointestinal (GI) motility, known as opioid-induced bowel dysfunction (OBD). OBD is typically treated prophylactically with laxatives and/or acid suppressants.AIM: The present study describes the prevalence of outpatient opioid dispensing, opioid patient demographics, and concomitant dispensing of opioids and GI medications in the Quebec Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan in 2005.METHODS: Using a retrospective cohort design, opioid dispensings were identified using claims and reimbursement data. Laxative and acid suppressant dispensings were also identified. Concurrent use was defined as having at least one ‘GI medication-exposed day’ overlapping an ‘opioid-exposed day’.RESULTS: More than 11% of the drug plan population was dispensed an opioid in 2005, and dispensings increased with age. Approximately two-thirds of patients who received an opioid were given codeine. Approximately one-third of opioid patients were concomitantly dispensed a GI medication, yet only 2% were dispensed a laxative.CONCLUSIONS: Although the GI side effects of opioids are well known, these side effects appear to increase with age and duration of opioid use. Opioid-related side effects, particularly OBD, should be effectively managed so as not to lead to the cessation of opioid therapy.

scholarly journals Pharmacological Strategies for Decreasing Opioid Therapy and Management of Side Effects from Chronic Use

Children ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (12) ◽  
pp. 163
Author(s):  
Genevieve D’Souza ◽  
Anava A Wren ◽  
Christina Almgren ◽  
Alexandra C. Ross ◽  
Amanda Marshall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pain Management ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Opioid Therapy ◽  
Outpatient Basis ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Pediatric Populations ◽  
Special Expertise ◽  
Pain Symptoms

As awareness increases about the side effects of opioids and risks of misuse, opioid use and appropriate weaning of opioid therapies have become topics of significant clinical relevance among pediatric populations. Critically ill hospitalized neonates, children, and adolescents routinely receive opioids for analgesia and sedation as part of their hospitalization, for both acute and chronic illnesses. Opioids are frequently administered to manage pain symptoms, reduce anxiety and agitation, and diminish physiological stress responses. Opioids are also regularly prescribed to youth with chronic pain. These medications may be prescribed during the initial phase of a diagnostic workup, during an emergency room visit; as an inpatient, or on an outpatient basis. Following treatment for underlying pain conditions, it can be challenging to appropriately wean and discontinue opioid therapies. Weaning opioid therapy requires special expertise and care to avoid symptoms of increased pain, withdrawal, and agitation. To address this challenge, there have been enhanced efforts to implement opioid-reduction during pharmacological therapies for pediatric pain management. Effective pain management therapies and their outcomes in pediatrics are outside the scope of this paper. The aims of this paper were to: 1) Review the current practice of opioid-reduction during pharmacological therapies; and 2) highlight concrete opioid weaning strategies and management of opioid withdrawal.

Opioid induced hyperalgesia: A focus on opioid use in chronic pain

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (12) ◽  
pp. 395-397
Author(s):  
Julie L. Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Treatment Option ◽  
Opioid Therapy ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Chronic Pain Patients ◽  
Opioid Induced Hyperalgesia ◽  
Pain Patients ◽  
Established Treatment

Opioids are a well-established treatment option for chronic pain. However, opioid therapy is associated with many side effects, including opioid induced hyperalgesia (OIH). This article reviews studies which have evaluated OIH in chronic pain patients on opioids.

scholarly journals Concurrent prescriptions for opioids and benzodiazepines and risk of opioid overdose: protocol for a retrospective cohort study using linked administrative data

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e042299
Author(s):  
Erin Y Liu ◽  
Robyn Tamblyn ◽  
Kristian B Filion ◽  
David L Buckeridge
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Proportional Hazards Model ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards Model ◽  
Opioid Overdose ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Concurrent Use

IntroductionOpioid overdoses have increased substantially over the last 20 years, with over 400 000 deaths in North America. While opioid prescribing has been a target of research, benzodiazepine and opioid co-intoxication has emerged as a potential risk factor. Our aim was to assess the risk of opioid overdose associated with concurrent use of opioids and benzodiazepines relative to opioids alone.Methods and analysisA retrospective cohort study will be conducted using medical claims data from adult residents of Montréal, Canada. We will create a cohort of new users of opioids (ie, no opioid dispensations in prior year) in 2000–2014 from people with at least 2 years of continuous health insurance. Those with any diagnosis or hospitalisation for cancer or palliative care in the 2 years before their first opioid dispensation will be excluded. On each person-day of follow-up, exposure status will be classified into one of four mutually exclusive categories: (1) opioid-only, (2) benzodiazepine-only, (3) both opioid and benzodiazepine (concurrent use) or (4) neither. Opioid overdose will be measured using diagnostic codes documented in the hospital discharge abstract database, physician billing claims from emergency department visits and death records. Using a marginal structural Cox proportional hazards model, we will compare the hazard of overdose during intervals of concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine use to intervals of opioid use alone, adjusted for sociodemographics, medical and psychiatric comorbidities, and substance use disorders.Ethics and disseminationThis study is approved by the McGill Faculty of Medicine Institutional Review Board and the Commission d’access à l’information (Québec privacy commission). Results will be relevant to clinicians, policymakers and other researchers interested in co-prescribing practices of opioids and benzodiazepines. Study findings will be disseminated at relevant conferences and published in biomedical and epidemiological peer-reviewed journals.

scholarly journals COVID-19 outcomes among adult patients treated with long-term opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain in the USA: a retrospective cohort study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. e056436
Author(s):  
Wen-Jan Tuan ◽  
Hannah Spotts ◽  
Aleksandra E Zgierska ◽  
Robert P Lennon
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Severe Infection ◽  
Healthcare Utilisation ◽  
Opioid Therapy ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Research Database ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Increased Risk

ObjectivePatients treated with long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) are known to have compromised immune systems and respiratory function, both of which make them particularly susceptible to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The objective of this study was to assess the risk of developing severe clinical outcomes among COVID-19 non-cancer patients on LTOT, compared with those without LTOT.Design and data sourcesA retrospective cohort design using electronic health records in the TriNetX research database.Participants and setting418 216 adults diagnosed with COVID-19 in January–December 2020 from 51 US healthcare organisations: 9558 in the LTOT and 408 658 in the control cohort. They did not have cancer diagnoses; only a small proportion might have been treated with opioid maintenance for opioid use disorder.ResultsPatient on LTOT had a higher risk ratio (RR) than control patients to visit an emergency department (RR 2.04, 95% CI 1.93 to 2.16) and be hospitalised (RR 2.91, 95% CI 2.69 to 3.15). Once admitted, LTOT patients were more likely to require intensive care (RR 3.65, 95% CI 3.10 to 4.29), mechanical ventilation (RR 3.47, 95% CI 2.89 to 4.15) and vasopressor support (RR 5.28, 95% CI 3.70 to 7.53) and die within 30 days (RR 1.96, 95% CI 1.67 to 2.30). The LTOT group also showed increased risk (RRs from 2.06 to 3.98, all significant to 95% CI) of more-severe infection (eg, cough, dyspnoea, fever, hypoxaemia, thrombocytopaenia and acute respiratory distress syndrome). Statistically significant differences in several laboratory results and other vital signs appeared clinically negligible.ConclusionCOVID-19 patients on LTOT were at higher risk of increased morbidity, mortality and healthcare utilisation. Interventions to reduce the need for LTOT and to increase compliance with COVID-19 protective measures may improve outcomes and reduce healthcare cost in this population. Prospective studies need to confirm and refine these findings.

The analgesic potential of cannabinoids

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 341-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaseena Elikottil, MBBS ◽  
Pankaj Gupta, MD ◽  
Kalpna Gupta, PhD
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Severe Pain ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Opioid Therapy ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Chronic Opioid Therapy ◽  
Analgesic Agents ◽  
History Of

Historically and anecdotally cannabinoids have been used as analgesic agents. In recent years, there has been an escalating interest in developing cannabis-derived medications to treat severe pain. This review provides an overview of the history of cannabis use in medicine, cannabinoid signaling pathways, and current data from preclinical as well as clinical studies on using cannabinoids as potential analgesic agents. Clinical and experimental studies show that cannabis-derived compounds act as antiemetic, appetite modulating, and analgesic agents. However, the efficacy of individual products is variable and dependent upon the route of administration. As opioids are the only therapy for severe pain, analgesic ability of cannabinoids may provide a much-needed alternative to opioids. Moreover, cannabinoids act synergistically with opioids and act as opioid sparing agents, allowing lower doses and fewer side effects from chronic opioid therapy. Thus, rational use of cannabis-based medications deserves serious consideration to alleviate the suffering of patients due to severe pain.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Side Effects of Prolonged Low or Moderate Dose Opioid Therapy with Concomitant Benzodiazepine and/or Antidepressant Therapy in Chronic Non-Cancer Pain

2009 ◽  
Vol 1;12 (1;1) ◽  
pp. 259-267
Author(s):  
Laxmaiah Manchikanti
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Cancer Pain ◽  
Opioid Therapy ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Moderate Dose ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Background: Opioid use in the management of chronic pain is widespread in chronic pain settings. Opioid prescriptions for non-cancer pain and overall opioid sales have been soaring with the increasing nonmedical use of opioids in the United States. Prolonged use of high dose opioids has been associated with adverse consequences including tolerance, abuse, addiction, hyperalgesia, hormonal effects, and immunosuppression. Studies of high dose therapy have shown pain relief with a 30% decrease in the intensity of pain and that only 44% of the patients continue the treatment between 7 and 24 months. However, there is no data available on the prevalence of side effects associated with low or moderate dose opioid use in chronic non-cancer pain when administered in conjunction with interventional techniques. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of side effects, of low or moderate dose opioid therapy with or without benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and their combinations. Methods: The evaluation was conducted by interviewing 1,000 patients on stable doses of opioids, with or without benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and their combinations. Patients were categorized into 4 groups with Group 1 receiving opioids only (n = 143), Group 2 receiving opioids and benzodiazepines (n = 159), Group 3 receiving opioids and antidepressants (n = 113), and Group 4 received opioids, benzodiazepines, and antidepressants (n = 118). Results: Inclusion criteria was met in 533 patients receiving opioid therapy for longer than 6 months. The incidence of side effects in Group 1 was 18%, in Group 2 was 8%, in Group 3 was 17%, and in Group 4 was 14%. The most frequent complications were in patients receiving methadone (52%) followed by oxycodone (41%) and morphine (36%). Patients receiving hydrocodone had the least incidences of side effects with 7.5%. There were no significant differences noted based on the duration of therapy, age of the patient, and gender. Severe side effects accounted for only 14 of 137 instances. Limitations: Limitations of this study include the inability to incorporate multiple other drugs due to complicated nature with multiple groups and data collection and analysis. The other limitation is that the proportion of patients receiving methadone, oxycodone, morphine, and propoxyphene was low compared to hydrocodone with 77% of the patients. Conclusion: Moderate or low dose opioid therapy in conjunction with or without benzodiazepines, antidepressants, or in combinations are associated with minor side effects. Key words: Opioids, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, chronic non-cancer pain, abuse, side effects

Four-Corner Arthrodesis versus Proximal Row Carpectomy: Risk Factors and Complications Associated with Prolonged Postoperative Opioid Use

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neill Y. Li ◽  
Alexander S. Kuczmarski ◽  
Andrew M. Hresko ◽  
Avi D. Goodman ◽  
Joseph A. Gil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
International Classification Of Diseases ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Proximal Row Carpectomy ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Patient Demographics ◽  
Implant Complications ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Classification Of Diseases

Abstract Introduction This article compares opioid use patterns following four-corner arthrodesis (FCA) and proximal row carpectomy (PRC) and identifies risk factors and complications associated with prolonged opioid consumption. Materials and Methods The PearlDiver Research Program was used to identify patients undergoing primary FCA (Current Procedural Terminology [CPT] codes 25820, 25825) or PRC (CPT 25215) from 2007 to 2017. Patient demographics, comorbidities, perioperative opioid use, and postoperative complications were assessed. Opioids were identified through generic drug codes while complications were defined by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revisions, Clinical Modification codes. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results A total of 888 patients underwent FCA and 835 underwent PRC. Three months postoperatively, more FCA patients (18.0%) continued to use opioids than PRC patients (14.7%) (p = 0.033). Preoperative opioid use was the strongest risk factor for prolonged opioid use for both FCA (odds ratio [OR]: 4.91; p < 0.001) and PRC (OR: 6.33; p < 0.001). Prolonged opioid use was associated with an increased risk of implant complications (OR: 4.96; p < 0.001) and conversion to total wrist arthrodesis (OR: 3.55; p < 0.001) following FCA. Conclusion Prolonged postoperative opioid use is more frequent in patients undergoing FCA than PRC. Understanding the prevalence, risk factors, and complications associated with prolonged postoperative opioid use after these procedures may help physicians counsel patients and implement opioid minimization strategies preoperatively.

scholarly journals Predictors of Chronic Opioid Use: A Population-level Analysis of North Carolina Cancer Survivors Using Multi-Payer Claims

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devon K Check ◽  
Christopher D Bagett ◽  
KyungSu Kim ◽  
Andrew W Roberts ◽  
Megan C Roberts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Opioid Therapy ◽  
Adjusted Relative Risk ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Chronic Opioid Therapy ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Chronic Opioid Use

Abstract Background No population-based studies have examined chronic opioid use among cancer survivors who are diverse with respect to diagnosis, age group, and insurance status. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using North Carolina (NC) cancer registry data linked with claims from public and private insurance (2006–2016). We included adults with non-metastatic cancer who had no prior chronic opioid use (N = 38,366). We used modified Poisson regression to assess the adjusted relative risk of chronic opioid use in survivorship (&gt;90-day continuous supply of opioids in the 13–24 months following diagnosis) associated with patient characteristics. Results Only 3.0% of cancer survivors in our cohort used opioids chronically in survivorship. Predictors included younger age (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 50–59 vs 60–69 = 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05–1.43), baseline depression (aRR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.06–1.41) or substance use (aRR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.15–1.78) and Medicaid (aRR vs Private = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.56–2.40). Survivors who used opioids intermittently (vs not at all) before diagnosis were twice as likely to use opioids chronically in early survivorship (aRR = 2.62, 95% CI = 2.28–3.02). Those who used opioids chronically (vs intermittently or not at all) during active treatment had a nearly 17-fold increased likelihood of chronic use in survivorship (aRR = 16.65, 95 CI = 14.30–19.40). Conclusions Younger and low-income survivors, those with baseline depression or substance use, and those who require chronic opioid therapy during treatment are at increased risk for chronic opioid use in survivorship. Our findings point to opportunities improve assessment of psychosocial histories and to engage patients in shared decision-making around long-term pain management, when chronic opioid therapy is required during treatment.

scholarly journals Participants with mild, moderate, or severe pain following total hip arthroplasty. A sub-study of the PANSAID trial on paracetamol and ibuprofen for postoperative pain treatment

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luma Mahmoud Issa ◽  
Kasper Højgaard Thybo ◽  
Daniel Hägi-Pedersen ◽  
Jørn Wetterslev ◽  
Janus Christian Jakobsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Postoperative Pain ◽  
Total Hip Arthroplasty ◽  
Hip Arthroplasty ◽  
Severe Pain ◽  
Pain Treatment ◽  
Opioid Analgesic ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Mild Pain ◽  
Total Hip ◽  
Pain Scores

AbstractObjectivesIn this sub-study of the ‘Paracetamol and Ibuprofen in Combination’ (PANSAID) trial, in which participants were randomised to one of four different non-opioids analgesic regimen consisting of paracetamol, ibuprofen, or a combination of the two after planned primary total hip arthroplasty, our aims were to investigate the distribution of participants’ pain (mild, moderate or severe), integrate opioid use and pain to a single score (Silverman Integrated Approach (SIA)-score), and identify preoperative risk factors for severe pain.MethodsWe calculated the proportions of participants with mild (VAS 0–30 mm), moderate (VAS 31–60 mm) or severe (VAS 61–100 mm) pain and the SIA-scores (a sum of rank-based percentage differences from the mean rank in pain scores and opioid use, ranging from −200 to 200%). Using logistic regression with backwards elimination, we investigated the association between severe pain and easily obtainable preoperative patient characteristics.ResultsAmong 556 participants from the modified intention-to-treat population, 33% (95% CI: 26–42) (Group Paracetamol + Ibuprofen (PCM + IBU)), 28% (95% CI: 21–37) (Group Paracetamol (PCM)), 23% (95% CI: 17–31) (Group Ibuprofen (IBU)), and 19% (95% CI: 13–27) (Group Half Strength-Paracetamol + Ibuprofen (HS-PCM + IBU)) experienced mild pain 6 h postoperatively during mobilisation. Median SIA-scores during mobilisation were: Group PCM + IBU: −48% (IQR: −112 to 31), Group PCM: 40% (IQR: −31 to 97), Group IBU: −5% (IQR: −57 to 67), and Group HS-PCM + IBU: 6% (IQR: −70 to 74) (overall difference: p=0.0001). Use of analgesics before surgery was the only covariate associated with severe pain (non-opioid: OR 0.50, 95% CI: 0.29–0.82, weak opioid 0.56, 95% CI: 0.28–1.16, reference no analgesics before surgery, p=0.02).ConclusionsOnly one third of participants using paracetamol and ibuprofen experienced mild pain after total hip arthroplasty and even fewer experienced mild pain using each drug alone as basic non-opioid analgesic treatment. We were not able, in any clinically relevant way, to predict severe postoperative pain. A more extensive postoperative pain regimen than paracetamol, ibuprofen and opioids may be needed for a large proportion of patients having total hip arthroplasty. SIA-scores integrate pain scores and opioid use for the individual patient and may add valuable information in acute pain research.

scholarly journals Consensus-based approach to managing opioids, including opioid misuse and opioid use disorder, in patients with serious illness: protocol for a modified Delphi process

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e045402
Author(s):  
Caroline King ◽  
Robert Arnold ◽  
Emily Dao ◽  
Jennifer Kapo ◽  
Jane Liebschutz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Opioid Therapy ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Opioid Misuse ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Serious Illness ◽  
Modified Delphi ◽  
Delphi Approach ◽  
Institutional Review ◽  
Management Guidance

IntroductionManagement of opioid misuse and opioid use disorder (OUD) among individuals with serious illness is an important yet understudied issue. Palliative care clinicians caring for individuals with serious illness, many of whom may live for months or years, describe a complex tension between weighing the benefits of opioids, which are considered a cornerstone of pain management in serious illness, and serious opioid-related harms like opioid misuse and OUD. And yet, little literature exists to inform the management of opioid misuse and OUDs among individuals with serious illness. Our objective is to provide evidence-based management guidance to clinicians caring for individuals with serious illness who develop opioid misuse or OUD.Methods and analysisWe chose a modified Delphi approach, which is appropriate when empirical evidence is lacking and expert input must be used to shape clinical guidance. We sought to recruit 60 clinicians with expertise in palliative care, addiction or both to participate in this study. We created seven patient cases that capture important management challenges in individuals with serious illness prescribed opioid therapy. We used ExpertLens, an online platform for conducting modified Delphi panels. Participants completed three rounds of data collection. In round 1, they rated and commented on the appropriateness of management choices for cases. In round 2, participants reviewed and discussed their own and other participants’ round 1 numerical responses and comments. In round 3 (currently ongoing), participants again reviewed rounds 1 and 2, and are allowed to change their final numerical responses. We used ExpertLens to automatically identify whether there is consensus, or disagreement, among responses in panels. Only round 3 responses will be used to assess final consensus and disagreement.Ethics and disseminationThis project received ethical approval from the University of Pittsburgh’s Institutional Review Board (study 19110301) and the RAND Institutional Research Board (study 2020-0142). Guidance from this work will be disseminated through national stakeholder networks to gain buy-in and endorsement. This study will also form the basis of an implementation toolkit for clinicians caring for individuals with serious illness who are at risk of opioid misuse or OUD.

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