Abstract
Opioids are widely prescribed for their analgesic properties. Chronic opioid use is a persistent problem in the US. Nevertheless, little is known about its prescribing and utilization patterns and overall expenditures. This study examined secular trends in opioid prescription drug utilization and expenditures, along with factors associated with opioid prescription drug use in US physician offices. National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data (2006-2010), both nationally representative surveys, were used to assess the trend, predictors of opioid prescription among US adults (more than 18 years) and the opioid-associated expenditures as a whole and borne by the patients in outpatient settings. Opioid prescription drugs use among US adults in outpatient settings, as a percentage of all prescription drugs, showed a gradual increase since 2006, leveling off in 2010. Opioid prescription drug expenditures showed an upward trend from 2009 after declining over three years. Mean out-of-pocket payments per prescription steadily declined over study period. Cross-sectional nature and visit based information of NAMCS do not provide the actual prevalence and the reason for opioid prescription. Given the upward trend in opioid prescription drug utilization and associated expenditures, clinicians may benefit from evidence-based methods of monitoring prescription opioid use to prevent misuse, abuse, and other adverse patient outcomes. Drs. Qureshi, Haider, Ball, Horner and Bennett's efforts are partially supported by the University of South Carolina's ASPIRE I. Dr. Wooten's effort is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (K01DA037412).
Highlights
Due to the elevated potential for misuse and abuse of pain medications, newer options, effective treatment for acute and chronic pain continues to be a topic of much contention among clinicians and researchers worldwide
Given the upward trend in opioid prescription drug utilization and associated expenditures, clinicians may benefit from evidence-based methods of monitoring prescription opioid use to prevent misuse, abuse, and other adverse patient outcomes
Longterm prescription opioid use is associated with increased risk of misuse and abuse, which can result in overdose and death
Summary
Due to the elevated potential for misuse and abuse of pain medications, newer options, effective treatment for acute and chronic pain continues to be a topic of much contention among clinicians and researchers worldwide. Longterm prescription opioid use is associated with increased risk of misuse and abuse, which can result in overdose and death. Prescription drug abuse is second only to marijuana use in the nation and painkillers are considered a major contributor to unintended drug-related mortality [6]. These findings are supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports indicating that have the sales of prescription painkillers in the US increased dramatically in the past decade, but so have the number of fatal poisonings due to pain medications [7]. Little is known about its prescribing and utilization patterns and overall expenditures
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