Effectiveness of Short-Acting Opioid Escalation vs Initiation of a Long-Acting Opioid in Nursing Home Residents

Abstract

ObjectivesModifications to opioid regimens for persistent pain are typically made after an initial period of short-acting opioid (SAO) use. Regimen changes may include an escalation of the SAO dosage or an initiation of a long-acting opioid (LAO) as a switch or add-on therapy. This study evaluates the comparative effectiveness between these alternative regimens in nursing home residents. DesignA retrospective observational cohort analysis of US long-stay nursing home residents. Setting and ParticipantsNursing home resident data were obtained from the national Minimum Dataset (MDS) version 3.0 and linked Medicare data, 2011–2016. MethodsOpioid regimen changes were identified using Part D dispensing claims to identify dosage escalation of SAOs, initiation of an LAO, or a switch to an LAO. Outcomes included indices of pain occurrence, frequency, and severity reported on the earliest MDS assessment within 3 months following the opioid regimen change. Resident attributes were described by opioid regimen cohort. Prevalence ratios of pain and depression indices were quantified using doubly robust inverse probability of treatment (IPT)-weighted log-binomial regression. ResultsThe study cohorts included 2072 SAO dose escalations, 575 LAO add-on initiations, and 247 LAO switch initiations. After IPT weighting, we observed comparable effects on pain and mood across the opioid regimen cohorts. A substantial number of residents continued to report frequent/constant pain (36% in SAO Escalation Cohort, 42% in LAO Add-on Cohort, 42% in the LAO Switch Cohort). The distribution of depressive symptoms was similar regardless of the opioid regimen change. Conclusions and ImplicationsInitiation of an LAO as an add-on to SAO or a switch from SAO had comparable effects on pain and mood to SAO dose escalation without initiation of an LAO. Although fewer residents reported any pain after the regimen change, persistent pain was reported by most residents.