Preference for opioids in emergency department patients with acute musculoskeletal pain

Public awareness of the opioid epidemic is increasing nationally, emphasizing the need to develop methods to reduce opioid use. We determined patient preference for analgesics before and after a brief educational intervention informing them of the risks and benefits of opioids versus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's). We hypothesized 50% of patients would prefer opioids pre-intervention and that this would be reduced by the intervention by at least 15%.

Study Design-Before and after study. Setting-Suburban ED with annual census of 110,000. Patients-English-speaking adult ED patients with acute musculoskeletal pain. Interventions-An anonymous survey was administered by an investigator not involved in the patient's clinical care prior to physician evaluation, before and after a video describing the risks and benefits of opioids versus NSAID's. Patients were asked if they desired analgesics. Data Analysis-Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to predict patient demographics and pain characteristics associated with desire for analgesics.

Of all 94 patients, 48 (51% [95% CI 41-62%]) desired an analgesic pre-intervention. Of these 48 patients, 10 (11% [5-19%]) specifically preferred an opioid. Of the 10 patients who preferred an opioid pre-intervention, one had no preference for analgesic post-intervention.

Many adult ED patients with acute musculoskeletal pain do not desire any analgesics and few specifically prefer opioids. This knowledge can prove helpful to ED physicians across the country in discussing pain management options with patients as we attempt to combat the opioid epidemic.