Long-acting Opioids Research Articles

Protocolization of Post-Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Pain Control with Elimination of Benzodiazepines and Long-Acting Opioids.

The opioid epidemic continues to worsen with a concomitant increase in opioid-related mortality. In response, the Department of Defense and Veterans Health Agency recommended against the use of long-acting opioids (LAOs) and concurrent use of opioids with benzodiazepines. Subsequently, we eliminated benzodiazepines and LAOs from our postoperative pain control regimen. To evaluate the impact of removing benzodiazepines and LAOs on postoperative pain in single-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) patients. A retrospective cohort study of single-level TLIF patients from February 2016-March 2018 was performed. Postoperative pain control in the+benzodiazepine cohort included scheduled diazepam with or without LAOs. These medications were replaced with nonbenzodiazepine, opioid-sparing adjuncts in the -benzodiazepine cohort. Pain scores, length of hospitalization, trigger medication use, and opioid use and duration were compared. Among 77 patients, there was no difference between inpatient pain scores, but the -benzodiazepine cohort experienced a faster rate of morphine equivalent reduction (-18.7%, 95% CI [-1.22%, -36.10%]), used less trigger medications (-1.55, 95% CI [-0.43, -2.67]), and discharged earlier (0.6 d; 95% CI [0.01, 1.11 d]). As outpatients, the -benzodiazepine cohort was less likely to receive opioid refills at 2 wk (29.2% vs 55.8%, P=.021) and 6 mo postoperatively (0% vs 13.2%, P=.039), and was less likely to be using opioids by 3 mo postoperatively (13.3% vs 34.2%, P=.048). Replacement of benzodiazepines and LAOs in the pain control regimen for single-level TLIFs did not affect pain scores and was associated with decreased opioid use, a reduction in trigger medications, and shorter hospitalizations.

Commentary: Protocolization of Post-Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Pain Control with Elimination of Benzodiazepines and Long-Acting Opioids.

Commentary: Protocolization of Post-Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Pain Control with Elimination of Benzodiazepines and Long-Acting Opioids.

PDG42 REAL-WORLD EVIDENCE OF OPIOID AND NON-OPIOID USE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC NON-CANCER PAIN: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

The increasing prevalence of prescription opioid use among patients with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) has become a major public health concern. Existing protocol-driven studies have limitations in assessing the effectiveness of therapies and there is a need to identify real-world studies from diverse population of patients on their use and effectiveness of opioids and non-opioids in CNCP. A systematic review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was conducted from 1997 to 2017 in PubMed, PsycINFO and EMBASE databases. Observational studies including retrospective cohort, case-control, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies involving patients with CNCP and above 18 years of age were included in the review. A total of 369 articles were identified of which 23 studies met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. All but two studies (n = 21, 91.3%) were conducted in the United States. Majority of the studies utilized administrative claims data (n = 15, 65.21%) followed by electronic medical record (n = 3, 13.04 %) and survey (n = 2, 8.7%). Few studies (n = 8, 34.8%) evaluated the use of opioids in patients with CNCP with a history of substance use or mental health disorder, or with other conditions like epilepsy and HIV/AIDS. Opioid drug overdose risk was higher in patients with depression and those receiving high morphine equivalent dose or long-acting opioids. Major limitations of the studies included uncertainty over actual consumption of prescribed medicines, inability to assess degree of impairment of painful conditions and mood disorders; and inability to distinguish between prevalent and incident opioid users. Opioids were prescribed with various concomitant drugs including benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, antidepressants in several studies. There is a need to further explore patient factors such as pain severity and psychiatric diagnosis that predict the use of opioids and non-opioids in CNCP.

The evaluating prescription opioid changes in veterans (EPOCH) study: Design, survey response, and baseline characteristics.

In the United States (US), long-term opioid therapy has been commonly prescribed for chronic pain. Since recognition of the opioid overdose epidemic, clinical practice guidelines have recommended tapering long-term opioids to reduced doses or discontinuation. The Effects of Prescription Opioid Changes for veterans (EPOCH) study is a national population-based prospective observational study of US Veterans Health Administration primary care patients designed to assess effects of evolving opioid prescribing practice on patients treated with long-term opioids for chronic pain. A stratified random sampling design was used to identify a survey sample from the target population of patients treated with opioid analgesics for ≥ 6 months. Demographic, diagnostic, visit, and pharmacy dispensing data were extracted from existing datasets. A 2016 mixed-mode mail and telephone survey collected patient-reported data, including the main patient-reported outcomes of pain-related function (Brief Pain Inventory interference; BPI-I scores 0-10, higher scores = worse) and health-related quality of life. Data on survey participants and non-participants were analyzed to assess potential nonresponse bias. Weights were used to account for design. Linear regression models were used to assess cross-sectional associations of opioid treatment with patient-reported measures. Of 14,160 patients contacted, 9253 (65.4%) completed the survey. Participants were older than non-participants (63.9 ± 10.6 vs. 59.6 ± 13.0 years). The mean number of bothersome pain locations was 6.8 (SE 0.04). Effectiveness of pain treatment and quality of pain care were rated fair or poor by 56.1% and 45.3%, respectively. The opioid daily dosage range was 1.6 to 1038.2 mg, with mean = 50.6 mg (SE 1.1) and median = 30.9 mg (IQR 40.7). Among the 73.2% of patients who did not receive long-acting opioids, the mean daily dosage was 30.4 mg (SE 0.6) and mean BPI-I was 6.4 (SE 00.4). Among patients who received long-acting opioids, the mean daily dosage was 106.2 mg (SE 2.8) and mean BPI-I was 6.8 (SE 0.07). Higher daily dosage was associated with worse pain-related function and quality of life among patients without long-acting opioids, but not among patients with long-acting opioids. Future analyses will use follow-up data to examine effects of opioid dose reduction and discontinuation on patient outcomes.

126 Multimodal Analgesia and Discharge Opioid Requirements in Burn Patients

Abstract Introduction Analgesia in burn patients is significantly challenging given the complexity of burn pain. Opioids are a mainstay of therapy, but studies demonstrate varying outcomes with respect to the efficacy of adjunctive non-opioid agents in the treatment of burn pain. The need for analgesia extends beyond hospital admission—given the known risks of opioids, the impact of multimodal analgesia on opioid requirements post-discharge needs to be further elucidated in this population. Methods In this retrospective, single-center cohort study, adult burn patients who were consecutively admitted to the burn ICU service and subsequently followed in the burn clinic between 2/2015 and 9/2018 were evaluated up to 6 months post-discharge. The subjects were divided into two cohorts based on discharge pain regimens: multimodal vs non-multimodal. Individuals taking long-acting opioids prior to admission were excluded. The primary outcome was the change in oral morphine equivalents (OME) between discharge and follow up occurring between 2 - 6 weeks post-discharge. Secondary outcomes included the number of multimodal agents utilized and a comparison of OME between the last 24 hours of admission and discharge. Results A total of 152 patients were included for analysis (n= 76 per cohort). The multimodal cohort demonstrated increased total body surface area burned (23.9% ± 15.4 vs 16.6% ± 7.1; p < 0.001) and prolonged number of days spent in the ICU (22.7 ± 23.1 vs 10.7 ± 8.9; p < 0.001). The change in OME from discharge to first follow up was -106.6 mg in the multimodal vs -75.4 mg in the non-multimodal cohort (p = 0.039; figure 1). In each cohort, discharge OME did not statistically differ from last 24 hour OME (multimodal: p = 0.067; non-multimodal: p = 0.537). The most common non-opioid agents utilized were acetaminophen and gabapentin. Conclusions Despite extended ICU length of stay and larger TBSA, burn patients discharged with multimodal pain regimens demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in oral morphine equivalents from discharge to first follow up compared to those discharged on opioid-only regimens. Applicability of Research to Practice This study demonstrates promising results with respect to lowering discharge opioid requirements by utilizing a multimodal analgesic approach in the management of burn pain.

Submicroscopic changes of periodont in simulation of chronic opioid influence during ten weeks and medicamental correction

Prolonged opioid abuse provokes lesions of the tooth-jaw system, making it difficult to carry out differential diagnosis and treatment of pathology of organs and tissues, of the oral cavity.The purpose of the work — to find out the peculiarities of ultrastructural organization of periodontal tissues with the medication corrective action of pentoxifylline and ceftriaxone against the background of a ten-week opioid exposure.Material and methods. The studies were performed on white adult male rats (22), who were administered intramuscularly opioid analgesic nalbuphine for 70 days, gradually increasing the dose every 2 weeks (from 0.212 to 0.283 mg/kg). Pentoxifylline (2.857 mg/kg) for 4 weeks and ceftriaxone (2.86 mg/kg) for 11 days were used to correct pathological changes in the periodontium. For electron microscopic examination, we used fragments of periodontal tissues in the gum region, and ultrathin sections were made according to conventional methods.Results. Submicroscopically, in the epithelial cells of the mucous membrane of the rats revealed shallow invasions of carioma, swelling of mitochondria, indistinctly structured intercellular contacts, available nuclei and euchromatin in the karyoplasm. In the periodontal lesions of collagen fibril ordering are present, leukocyte infiltration, tissue basophils and macrophages are degranulated. There is a certain improvement in the structural organization of the components of the microcirculatory bed, erythrocytes are predominantly present in the lumens of the blood capillaries, and no sludge effect has been detected.Conclusions. The use of the combined action of drugs pentoxifylline and ceftriaxone causes a protective effect, favorably affecting the microcirculation, which indicates a slight positive dynamics of the ultrastructural organization of constituents of periodontal components against the background of long-acting opioids.

New analgesic: Focus on botulinum toxin

In 2010, Kissin concluded pessimistically that of the 59 new drugs introduced in the fifty-year period between 1960 and 2009 and still in use, only seven had new molecular targets. Of these, only one, sumatriptan, was effective enough to lead to the introduction of multiple drugs targeting the same target molecules (triptans) (Kissin, 2010). Morphine and acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), introduced for the treatment of pain more than a century ago, continue to dominate biomedical publications despite their limited effectiveness in many areas (e.g., neuropathic pain) and serious adverse effects. Today, are we really closer to ideal analgesics that would work hard enough, long enough, and did not have unwanted side effects? The purpose of the present article is to analyze where we are now. Several drugs, like long-acting opioids or botulinum toxins open some hope. Advantage of botulinum toxin A is unique duration of action (months). New discoveries showed that after peripheral application botulinum toxin by axonal transport reaches the CNS. Major analgesic mechanism of action seems to be of central origin. Will botulinum toxin in the CNS bring new indications and or/adverse effects? Much more basic and clinical research should be in front of us. Although relatively safe as a drug, botulinum toxin is not without adverse effect. Policy makers, clinicians and all those applying botulinum toxin should be aware of that. Unfortunately the life without the pain is still not possible.

Buprenorphine to reverse respiratory depression from methadone overdose in opioid-dependent patients: a prospective randomized trial

BackgroundNaloxone is the usual drug used in opioid-induced respiratory depression but it has a short half-life, precipitates withdrawal in dependent patients, and thus for persistent reversal of long-acting opioids has to be given by titrated doses and infusions. The partial agonist buprenorphine has a much longer duration of action and causes less severe withdrawal, but still should largely reverse respiratory depression induced by full agonist opioids. We aimed to compare the efficacy/safety of buprenorphine and naloxone in reversing respiratory depression in methadone-poisoned opioid-dependent patients.MethodsPatients with methadone-induced respiratory depression were randomized to receive naloxone (titrated doses), or lower or higher doses of buprenorphine (10 μg/kg or 15 μg/kg). The primary outcome was immediate reversal of respiratory depression. We also recorded acute opioid withdrawal, need for intubation/recurrent apnea, repeated doses of opioid antagonists, length of hospital stay, other morbidity, and mortality. The study was registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (Trial ID: 18265; Approval code: IRCT2015011020624N1).ResultsEighty-five patients were randomized; 55/56 patients who received buprenorphine had rapid reversal of respiratory depression, which persisted for at least 12 h. Naloxone was effective in 28/29 patients, but often required very high titrated doses (thus delaying time to respond) and prolonged infusions. Intubation (8/29 vs 5/56) and opioid withdrawal (15/29 vs 7/56) were less common with buprenorphine. There were no serious complications or deaths in those receiving buprenorphine. The 15-μg/kg buprenorphine dose appeared to provide a longer duration of action, but precipitated withdrawal more frequently than the 10-μg/kg dose.ConclusionBuprenorphine appears to be a safe and effective substitute for naloxone in overdosed opioid-dependent patients. Further studies are warranted to explore the optimal dosing strategy for buprenorphine to consistently maintain reversal of respiratory depression but not precipitate withdrawal.Trial registration numberIRCT2015011020624N1. Registered 30 September 2015.

Early experience with erector spinae plane blocks in children.

An erector spinae plane block is a relatively new regional anesthetic technique. Apart from case reports and small series, the literature regarding pediatric use is limited. Our objective was to determine the efficacy of the erector spinae plane block in children by measuring the heart rate response to incision. Secondary objectives included feasibility, safety, opioid consumption, and pain scores. Furthermore, we reviewed this block in children published since 2016. Case Series; Level of evidence, IV. With Institutional Review Board approval, a retrospective chart review was conducted on all patients who received erector spinae plane block for surgery between October 2017 and May 2019 at a single institution. Blocks were performed under anesthesia, using ultrasound guidance prior to surgical incision. Block details and hemodynamic and analgesic data were collected. In addition, a PubMed literature review was conducted to identify all erector spinae plane block related publications in patients ≤18years of age. About 164 patients, 2days-19.4years, weighing 2.3-94.7kg, received erector spinae plane blocks. For more than 79% of single injection blocks, placement time was ≤10minutes. Using a heart rate increase of <10% at skin incision as criterion, 70.1% of patients had a successful block. Only 20% required long-acting opioids intraoperatively. In a subset of infants who underwent gastrostomy surgery using a dose of 0.5mL/kg, a local anesthetic spread of at least five dermatomes (0.1mL/kg/dermatome) was achieved. Per the literature review, 33 publications described erector spinae plane block in 128 children. No complications were reported. Erector spinae plane blocks are relatively easy to perform in children with no complications reported to date. The efficacy of the block for a broad spectrum of surgeries, involving incisions from T1 to L4, is encouraging.

Long-acting Buprenorphine vs. Naltrexone Opioid Treatments in CJS-involved Adults

Long-acting Buprenorphine vs. Naltrexone Opioid Treatments in CJS-involved Adults

Long-Term Trends in Postoperative Opioid Prescribing, 1994 to 2014.

Introduction:Opioids are routinely prescribed to manage acute postoperative pain, but changes in postoperative opioid prescribing associated with the marketing of long-acting opioids such as OxyContin have not been described in the surgical cohort.Methods:Using a large commercial claims data set, we studied postoperative opioid prescribing after selected common surgical procedures between 1994 and 2014. For each procedure and year, we calculated the mean postoperative morphine milligram equivalents (MME) filled on the index prescription and assessed the proportion of patients who filled a high-dose prescription (≥350 MME). We reported changes in postoperative opioid prescribing over time and identified predictors of filling a high-dose postoperative opioid prescription.Results:We identified 1,321,264 adult patients undergoing selected common surgical procedures between 1994 and 2014, of whom 80.3% filled a postoperative opioid prescription. One in five surgery patients filled a high-dose postoperative opioid prescription. Between 1994 and 2014, the mean MME filled increased by 145%, 84%, and 85% for lumbar laminectomy/laminotomy, total knee arthroplasty, and total hip arthroplasty, respectively. The procedures most likely to be associated with a high-dose opioid fill were all orthopaedic procedures (AOR 5.20 to 7.55, P < 0.001 for all). Patients whose postoperative opioid prescription included a long-acting formulation had the highest odds of filling a prescription that exceeded 350 MME (AOR 32.01, 95% CI, 30.23–33.90).Discussion:After the US introduction of long-acting opioids such as OxyContin, postoperative opioid prescribing in commercially insured patients increased in parallel with broader US opioid-prescribing trends, most notably among patients undergoing orthopaedic surgical procedures. The increase in the mean annual MME filled starting in the late 1990s was driven in part by the higher proportion of long-acting opioid formulations on the index postoperative opioid prescription filled by orthopaedic surgery patients.

Long-term effects of opioids on the cardiovascular system

Long-term effects of opioids on the cardiovascular system

Effect of enterostomy on analgesic pattern in patients with advanced digestive tract cancer

Objective: To explore the effect of enterostomy on analgesic pattern in advanced digestive tract cancer. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out, which was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (E2018026). Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1)age and gender were not limited; (2) all the gastrointestinal malignancies were confirmed histologically, and local recurrence or metastasis were confirmed by CT or MR; (3) numerical rating scale (NRS) ≥4 points, opioid analgesic drugs were required; (4) informed consents were signed by patients of their own. Exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) malignancies of early stage; (2) suspicious adverse mental states which might lead to poor administration compliance; (3) hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to opioids. Clinical data of patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer receiving comprehensive treatment at the Medical Oncology Department of the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from September 2016 to April 2017 were retrospectively collected. The patients were divided into the stoma group and the non-stoma group. The clinical findings of two groups were analyzed, including age, sex, ostomy status, pain location, presence or absence of intestinal obstruction, pain characteristics, selection of opioid analgesic agents, treatment of side effects of analgesics. Pain was assessed using brief pain inventory(BPI) table and NRS score. Strong opioids were prescribed for patients of NRS ≥4. Patients who were intolerant to opioids required opioid titration. The titration drugs included oral or IV morphine and oxycodone. After achievement of adequate pain control, long-acting opioids were administered, which included sustained-release morphine tablets, controlled release oxycodone and transdermal fentanyl. Criteria for pain relief included NRS≤3, breakthrough pain <3 times/day and duration of adequate pain control >3 days. The χ(2) test and the Wilcoxon signed rank sum test (nonparametric test) were used to analyze the clinical features of patients in the stoma and non-stomach groups. In order to find the factors associated with maintenance therapy and the use of laxatives, the variables were compared as well as in multivariate analysis with multiple regression models. For all the statistical tests, a value of P<0.05 in a two-tailed test was established as the alpha significance level. Result: A total of 123 patients were enrolled in this study, including 79 males (64.2%) and 44 females (35.8%) with a median age of 51 years. Fifty-two patients were in stoma group, including 30 (24.4%) of ileostomy and 22 (17.9%) of colostomy, and 71 patients were in non-stoma group. Pain of 40 (76.9%) patients in stoma group located in abdomenopelvic site while the pain of 44 (62.0%) patients in non-stoma group located in other sites. Compared with non-stoma group, cases in stoma group complained more abdominopelvic pain (73% vs. 62.0%, P<0.001).The median NRS pain score before treatment in the stoma group and the non-stoma group was 5.7 and 5.6, respectively, without statistically significant difference (P=0.741). After analgesic management, the above scores reduced to 2.1 and 2.3, respectively, without statistically significant difference as well (P=0.092). Analgesic treatment was effective in 111 cases (90.2%), including 49 cases (94.2%) in the stoma group, and 62 cases (87.3%) in the non-stoma group, and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.202). There was more application of fentanyl transdermal patch [34.6%(18/52) vs. 9.8%(7/71)] in the stoma group, while more application of lactulose laxative [78.9%(56/71) vs. 61.5%(32/52)](χ(2)=10.023, P=0.002) in the non-stoma group. Multivariate analysis revealed that ostomy (OR=0.290, 95%CI: 0.102-0.824, P=0.009) and pain site (OR=5.691, 95%CI:1.709-18.948, P=0.005) were independent factors affecting the choice of the first line opioid sustained release agent. Of the 123 patients with maintaining analgesia, 98 had available data of laxative use, of whom 46 used laxatives to prevent or treat constipation, and the proportion of laxatives in stoma group (21.2%, 11/52) was significantly lower than that in non-stoma group (49.3%, 35/71) (χ(2)=6.957, P=0.008). Multivariate analysis of the application of laxative use showed that age (OR=0.281, 95% CI: 0.123-0.684, P=0.010) and ostomy (OR=2.621, 95% CI: 1.033-6.687, P=0.045) were independent factors affecting the use of lactulose laxatives. Conclusions: Enterostomy may affect the analgesic pattern in advanced digestive tract cancer. Patients with stoma are more likely to use fentanyl transdermal patches and younger patients with stoma do not need prophylactic use of laxatives.

Opioid use and initiation of positive airway pressure treatment in adults referred for sleep disorder assessment: An explanatory population-based study

OBJECTIVES We conducted a retrospective population-based study to explore: (i) the prevalence of opioid use among adults referred for a sleep disorder assessment and (ii) the relationship between opioid use and initiation of positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment. METHODS All adults who underwent an initial diagnostic sleep study (index date) in Ontario (Canada) between 2013 and 2016 were identified through provincial health administrative data. Opioid use was identified as active or recent opioid prescriptions (at or close to the index date) and being on opioids at any time in the last year. Cause specific hazard models were utilized. RESULTS Of 268,293 adults, about 5% had an active or recent opioid prescription, 25% were on opioids in the last year, and 39% initiated PAP in a median of 17.4 months. Among active opioid users, 12% were treated with a daily dose ≥200 mg morphine equivalent, 37% were treated with long-acting opioids, and 38% were on benzodiazepines in the last year. Only opioid use in the last year was significantly associated with PAP initiation (1.08; 1.06–1.09), but not an active or recent opioid prescription. Among active opioid users, long-acting opioid users and those on high opioid daily dosage were less likely to initiate PAP. CONCLUSIONS We found a high degree of prior opioid exposure among people referred for a sleep disorder assessment with a large proportion on long-acting opioids, higher opioid dosages and on benzodiazepines among active opioid users. However, active opioid treatment was not associated with a higher likelihood of PAP initiation; active opioid users at higher risk of impaired breathing in sleep were less likely to initiate PAP.

Healthcare Costs And Resource Utilization In Chronic Pain Patients Treated With Extended-Release Formulations Of Tapentadol, Oxycodone, Or Morphine Stratified By Type Of Pain: A Retrospective Claims Analysis, 2012-2016.

PurposeChronic pain treatment imposes a substantial economic burden on US society. Treatment costs may vary across subgroups of patients with different types of pain. The aim of our study was to compare healthcare costs (HC) and resource utilization in musculoskeletal (MP), neuropathic (NP), and cancer pain (CaP) patients treated with long-acting opioids (LAO), using real-world evidence.Patients and methodsWe compared total HC and resource utilization in subgroups of chronic pain patients (MP, NP or CaP) treated with three LAO alternatives: morphine-sulfate extended-release (MsER), oxycodone ER (OxnER) and tapentadol ER (TapER). Retrospective claims data were analyzed in the IBM Truven Health MarketScan® Commercial Claims Database (October 2012 through March 2016). All patients were continuously health plan enrolled for at least 12 months before the index date (first LAO prescription date) and during the LAO-treatment period. The cohorts were propensity-score matched.ResultsA total of 2824 TapER-treated patients were matched to 16,716 OxnER-treated patients, while 2827 TapER patients were matched to 16,817 MsER patients. The average monthly total HC were lower in the TapER than in the OxnER cohort ($2510 vs. $3720, p<0.001), reflecting significantly lower outpatient, inpatient and emergency department visit rates in the TapER cohort. Similarly, the TapER cohort exhibited a lower average monthly total HC ($2520 vs. $2900, p<0.05) than MsER cohort, with significantly fewer inpatient and outpatient visits in the TapER cohort. TapER demonstrated significantly lower total HC than OxnER in patients with NP and MP, and similar to OxnER in CaP patients. TapER costs were similar to MsER costs in all pain-type subpopulations.ConclusionBased on real-world evidence, the TapER treatment for chronic pain was associated with significantly lower HC compared with MsER or OxnER. When categorized by type of pain, TapER remained a less costly strategy in comparison with OxnER for MP and NP.

OCM community oncology palliative care program: Opioid analgesic utilization.

60 Background: Oncology Division of Michigan Health Professionals participates in Oncology Care Model (OCM ). A community oncology program for early and timely involvement of palliative care (PC) was launched in September 2017 to improve cancer pain management. Under-treatment of cancer pain leads to continued patient suffering and impaired quality of life. Appropriate dosing, rotation and frequent assessments are essential for better pain control. This study aims to see the effect of PC on opioid analgesic utilization. Methods: Retrospective claims review was performed with PC patients referred from September 2017 – December 2018 with an opioid class (as defined by CDC) Part D claim (within OCM data). Opioid utilization across agents was measured in morphine-milligram-equivalents (MME). MME per patient per opioid month (PPM) was compared between PC-referred and PC-not referred patients, pre- and post- PC start. Average MME PPM was compared between PC-Engaged and PC declined or unable to reach patients. Within these 2 cohorts, Long-Acting (LA) vs. Short-Acting (SA) opioid utilization was calculated. Results: PC-not referred patients appear to have little monthly variation in opioid dosing. PC-referred patients showed wide variation in opioid dosing before PC. After PC start, opioid dosing stabilized. PC-Engaged patients had more than double MME PPM vs PC declined or unable to reach (2481 MME PPM vs 1198 MME PPM respectively). PC-Engaged patients utilized a higher percentage of LA (43%) whereas PC declined or unable to reach used much less LA (8%). Conclusions: In patients with uncontrolled pain, PC-referral led to decreased variation in opioid dosing and better pain control. Better pain control may be the result of higher utilization of both SA &amp; LA opioids. Patients who do not engage in PC may be at-risk for under-treatment. Study was limited by OCM claims available as of June 2019. Results may be refreshed as more data becomes available.

Treating postoperative pain? Avoid tramadol, long-acting opioid analgesics and long-term use

A recent cohort study investigated ‘the risk of transitioning from acute to prolonged use’ of opioid analgesics in patients undergoing elective surgery. Patients given tramadol or long-acting opioids after discharge...

Evaluation of an emergency department buprenorphine induction and medication-assisted treatment referral program

BackgroundEmergency departments are struggling to manage the increasing number of patients seen for opioid use disorders and opioid overdose. With opioid overdose deaths rising at alarming rates, emergency physicians are beginning to induce patients with long-acting opioids such as buprenorphine and referring patients to outpatient medication-assisted treatment facilities. The objective of this study was to describe a pragmatic approach to buprenorphine induction, referral to treatment, and assess follow-up rates. MethodsSingle center, retrospective analysis of emergency department patients undergoing buprenorphine induction and referral to outpatient medication-assisted treatment. Patients were identified by an ongoing log of induced patients, between May 2017 and October 2018. The data is analyzed using descriptive statistics, with means and associated standard deviations, medians and interquartile ranges for continuous variables, and frequencies as percentages for categorical data. ResultsOverall, 219 patients were seen and induced with buprenorphine in the emergency department. Mean age was 35 years old (SD 10.3) and 56% were male. Intravenous opioids were most commonly abused at 75%. Our primary outcome of interest was the percentage of patients enrolled in MAT at 30 days, which occurred in 49.3% of our population. Patients were in moderate withdrawal based on initial COWS scores of 13.1(SD 5.8), and received mean total doses of 7.7 mg (SD 3.3). Median ED length of stay decreased by 40% between May 2017 and October 2018. ConclusionEmergency department initiated buprenorphine induction using a structured pragmatic approach is effective at maintaining patients in medication-assisted therapy.

Patterns of initial opioid prescription and its association with short-term and long-term use among opioid-naïve patients in Malaysia: a retrospective cohort study

ObjectiveThis study examined opioid prescription initiation patterns and their association with short-term and long-term opioid use among opioid-naïve patients.DesignThis study was designed as a retrospective cohort study.Setting and participantsIn this...

Inappropriate opioid prescribing practices: A narrative review.

Results of a literature review to identify indicators of inappropriate opioid prescribing are presented. While prescription opioids can be effective for the treatment of acute pain, inappropriate prescribing practices can increase the risk of opioid-related harms, including overdose and mortality. To date, little research has been conducted to determine how best to define inappropriate opioid prescribing. Five electronic databases were searched to identify studies (published from database inception to January 2017) that defined inappropriate opioid prescribing practices. Search terms varied slightly across databases but included opioid, analgesics, inappropriate prescribing, practice patterns, and prescription drug misuse. Gray literature and references of published literature reviews were manually searched to identify additional relevant articles. From among the 4,665 identified articles, 41 studies were selected for data extraction and analysis. Fourteen studies identified high-daily-dose opioid prescriptions, 14 studies identified coadministration of benzodiazepines and opioids, 10 studies identified inappropriate opioid prescribing in geriatric populations, 8 studies identified other patient-specific factors, 4 studies identified opioid prescribing for the wrong indication, and 4 studies identified factors such as initiation of long-acting opioids in opioid-naive patients as indicators of inappropriate opioid prescribing. A literature review identified various indicators of inappropriate opioid prescribing, including the prescribing of high daily doses of opioids, concurrent benzodiazepine administration, and geriatric-related indicators. Given the significant contribution of inappropriate opioid prescribing to opioid-related harms, identification of these criteria is important to inform and improve opioid prescribing practices among healthcare providers.