Patient characteristics in relation to opioid exposure in a chronic non-cancer pain population
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) for chronic non-cancer pain (CnCP) is linked to higher opioid doses and increased risks. Benzodiazepine use and male sex are associated with LTOT and higher opioid dosages, indicating potential safety concerns.
Area Of Science
- Pain Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background
- Long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) for chronic non-cancer pain (CnCP) presents questionable efficacy and established risks.
- Understanding patient characteristics associated with LTOT and high opioid dosages is crucial for risk mitigation.
- Opioid use disorder and overdose risks necessitate careful evaluation of treatment patterns.
Purpose Of The Study
- To compare characteristics of patients on LTOT versus those not exposed.
- To identify risk factors for opioid use disorder or overdose among opioid-exposed patients, particularly in relation to dosage.
- To analyze the influence of LTOT on opioid dosage and associated comorbidities.
Main Methods
- Cross-sectional study of 1,604 adult CnCP patients from a Swedish tertiary pain rehabilitation clinic (2018-2020).
- Data linkage with the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register for dispensed opioid information.
- Analysis of LTOT status and opioid dosage (mg morphine equivalent/day [MME/day]), comparing <50 MME/day vs. ≥50 MME/day.
Main Results
- 26.4% of patients received LTOT; 89 patients had dosages ≥50 MME/day.
- LTOT was associated with increased odds of benzodiazepine use (OR 2.685) and male sex (OR 1.694).
- Patients with opioid doses ≥50 MME/day were predominantly on LTOT and showed higher odds of benzodiazepine use and male sex.
Conclusions
- Long-term opioid therapy significantly influences prescribed opioid dosage.
- Concomitant benzodiazepine use and male sex are over-represented in patients on LTOT and those with high opioid doses (≥50 MME/day).
- These findings highlight key factors associated with higher-risk opioid prescribing in chronic pain management.
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