Prolonged oxycodone use and potential risk factors in postoperative patients: a case control study

Area of Science:

• Pain Management
• Pharmacology
• Public Health

Background:

• Prolonged opioid exposure negatively impacts physical and mental health.
• Limited understanding exists regarding the risk of extending opioid use after initial postoperative prescription.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the proportion of postoperative patients who continue oxycodone use beyond their initial prescription.
• To identify risk factors associated with prolonged postoperative oxycodone use.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, single-center, nested case-control study.
• Included adult patients discharged with an oxycodone prescription (April 2018 - June 2020).
• Primary outcome: oxycodone refills within 30 days; secondary outcome: association of risk factors with refills using logistic regression.

Main Results:

• 23.3% of 1203 patients refilled their oxycodone prescription.
• Associated risk factors for refills included older age, longer length of stay, Numeric Rating Scale pain score ≥4, and use of continuous-release oxycodone.
• Specific hospital departments were also associated with refill rates.

Conclusions:

• Over a fifth of patients refilled postoperative oxycodone, suggesting a potential pathway to chronic use and misuse.
• Identified risk factors can help target interventions to minimize prolonged opioid use.
• Further research and interventions are warranted for at-risk patient populations.