Opioid Use Among Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Despite reported adverse effects of opioids in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the burden of opioid use in this population appears to be high. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of prior studies to determine the prevalence of opioid use among patients with IBD as well as risk factors and outcomes associated with opioid use in this population.

We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library through November of 2019. Primary outcomes included the prevalence of opioid use and demographic and clinical variables associated with opioid use in patients with IBD. Quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. We used random-effect meta-analysis to estimate pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% CIs.

Of 780 citations identified, 31 were included in our study. The prevalence of opioid use was 21% (95% CI, 13%-30%) in the outpatient setting. Likewise, 62% (95% CI, 25%-92%) of patients received opioids while hospitalized for IBD. Opioid use was associated with female sex (RR 1.20; 95% CI 1.03-1.40), depression (1.99; 95% CI 1.80-2.19), substance abuse (4.67; 95% CI 2.87-7.60), prior gastrointestinal surgery (2.33; 95% CI 1.66-3.26), biologic use (1.36; 95% CI 1.06-1.74), and steroid use (1.41; 95% CI 1.04-1.91). Based on the systematic review, opioid use also appeared to be associated with increased IBD activity, healthcare use, infection, and mortality.

In a systematic review and meta-analysis, we found that 21% of outpatients with IBD (and 62% of hospitalized patients) are opioid users; use is associated with more severe IBD and increased healthcare use. Further studies are required to determine whether opioids are the cause or an effect of these associations. Nonetheless, urgent interventions are needed to reduce opioid use, improve disease-related outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.