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Association between non-medical and prescriptive usage of opioids
Nabarun Dasgupta1, E Douglas Kramer, Mary-Ann Zalman
1Risk Management and Health Policy, Purdue Pharma L.P., One Stamford Forum, Stamford, CT 06901-3431, USA.
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|October 21, 2005
Summary
Prescription opioid abuse is a global challenge. Study reveals that opioid morbidity correlates with prescriptive use, especially for high-potency drugs, suggesting predictability of non-medical use based on prescribing patterns.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Prescription opioid abuse poses significant global challenges in pain management.
- Understanding the link between opioid prescribing and adverse outcomes is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between national-level prescription opioid usage and reported morbidity.
- To assess if opioid potency influences the association between prescriptive use and morbidity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) for national-level analysis.
- Evaluated major prescription opioids, comparing prescriptive use (kilograms) against reported morbidity.
- Adjusted opioid data by potency (morphine equivalent) to compare morbidity rates.
Main Results:
- Morbidity rates per kilogram of opioid varied by potency: lower for low-potency, similar for intermediate-potency, and higher for high-potency opioids.
- Potency-adjusted analysis showed similar morbidity rates across different opioids.
- A statistically significant association (r²=0.9791) was found between total potency-adjusted opioid prescriptive use and reported morbidity.
Conclusions:
- Non-medical opioid use appears predictable based on the potency and extent of prescriptive opioid use.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering opioid potency in strategies to manage prescription drug abuse.
- The study underscores a strong correlation between the volume of prescription opioids and associated public health risks.