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Prevalence of Opioid Misuse Risk in Patients With Cancer
Michelle D Dannenberg1, Martha L Bruce2, Paul J Barr3
1Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing
|May 23, 2022
Summary
Opioid misuse risk screening in cancer patients is crucial. A study found that 22% of screened cancer patients faced moderate to high risk, with substance misuse history being a key factor.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pain Management
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Opioid misuse risk may be similar in chronic cancer and non-cancer pain patients.
- Risk screening for opioid misuse is not uniformly applied to cancer patients, leaving its prevalence unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of opioid misuse risk in cancer patients.
- To compare opioid misuse risk across different cancer types and medical specialties.
- To identify psychosocial factors associated with opioid misuse risk in this population.
Main Methods:
- Clinicians were trained to use the Opioid Risk Tool during outpatient visits.
- Data were collected from electronic health records.
- Descriptive statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the data.
Main Results:
- Only 5% of eligible cancer patients were screened for opioid misuse risk.
- Of 226 patients screened, 22% (n=63) were identified as moderate or high risk for future opioid misuse.
- Lung, breast, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary cancers were most common among moderate/high-risk patients. A history of substance misuse (personal or family) and psychological disease were prevalent in this group.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of cancer patients screened were at moderate to high risk for opioid misuse.
- Psychosocial factors, including personal and family history of substance misuse, are strongly associated with increased opioid misuse risk in cancer patients.
- Standardized screening for opioid misuse risk should be implemented in oncology settings to identify at-risk patients.
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