Opioid Prescribing Research Articles

Disparities and longitudinal complications in opioid prescriptions after dermatologic surgery: An international propensity score-matched, retrospective cohort study.

In dermatology, the majority of opioid prescriptions occur in dermatologic surgery. Even short courses of opioids are linked to substance abuse. Reported rates of opioid prescription in dermatologic surgery are variable, with no consensus on when they should be prescribed. Little population data currently exists on opioids in dermatologic surgery and the potentially serious complications that result. Here, we use an international patient data network to evaluate trends in postoperative opioid prescription in the setting of dermatologic surgery and complications that may result. This retrospective cohort study analyzed patients within the TriNetX research network. A total of 1,160,223 dermatologic surgery patients were extracted. Risk analyses were conducted examining (1) oral opioid prescription within 2 days postsurgery; (2) adverse events related to opioid use 3 months to 5 years postsurgery. Propensity score matching included variables: age, gender, race, ethnicity, complex regional pain syndrome, back pain, osteoarthritis, and malignancy. A total of 124,292 (13.6%) patients received postsurgical opioids. Black or African American race, female gender, and Latino ethnicity were associated with significantly higher absolute risk of postsurgical opioid prescription. A positive history of prior opioid prescription, opioid abuse or dependence, or substance abuse yielded a significant increase in the absolute risk of receiving postsurgical opioids (P < 0.0001). Patients prescribed postsurgical opioids had a statistically significantly higher risk of subsequent oral opioid prescription (P < 0.0001), opioid abuse (P = 0.0005), substance abuse (P < 0.0001), overdose by opioids (P = 0.031), constipation (P < 0.0001), and chronic pain (P < 0.0001) 3 months to 5 years after surgery. This study finds female, African American, and Latino populations have a higher risk of being prescribed opioids postoperatively. This prescription may confer risks of potentially serious complications related to opioid use. Dermatologic surgeons should be aware of the risks these populations face when determining candidacy for postsurgical opioid analgesia.

Isolated Sagittal Craniosynostosis and Open or Endoscopic Cranial Vault Remodeling: An Evaluation of Developmental Outcomes.

Craniosynostosis, a condition involving the premature fusion of cranial sutures, can impair brain development and potentially lead to developmental delays. This study compares open cranial vault remodeling versus endoscopic strip craniectomy treatment for isolated sagittal craniosynostosis, primarily focusing on development outcomes. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary pediatric surgery center, involving all 45 patients treated surgically for isolated sagittal craniosynostosis from 2013 to 2024. Patients were categorized into 2 groups based on surgical intervention: open cranial vault remodeling (n=17) and endoscopic strip craniectomy (n=28). Data collected included patient demographics, intraoperative specifics, and postoperative outcomes. Developmental outcomes were assessed using postoperative progress notes. Of the 45 patients, those undergoing open surgery were older (10.7mo and 9.4kg versus 3.3mo and 6.4kg, P<0.001) and experienced higher use of intraoperative drains (65% versus 0%, P<0.001), more prolonged procedures (189 versus 58min, P<0.001), more significant blood loss (102 versus 62mL, P=0.009), longer stays (3.3 versus 2.6d, P=0.011), and higher opioid prescription rates (82% versus 43%, P=0.013) compared to the endoscopic group. Within 12 months postoperatively, social delays were more common in the open group (19 versus 0%, P=0.049), and, postoperatively in general, cognitive delays were more common in the open group (31% versus 4%, P=0.023) when compared to the endoscopic group. Endoscopic cranial vault remodeling produces preferentially better hemodynamic, postoperative, and hospital stay outcomes. Although inferences into long-term developmental delay outcomes were limited due to sample size, a preferential benefit toward endoscopic intervention may exist.

Self-Harm as a Contributor to the Opioid Epidemic: Data From the Toxicology Investigators Consortium Registry.

Although considerable focus has been placed on understanding the causes of opioid drug overdoses, the intentions for such overdoses are not well characterized. We investigated the motivations behind nonfatal opioid exposures resulting in serious adverse health outcomes. We analyzed prospectively collected data on nonfatal opioid overdoses in the multicenter Toxicology Investigators Consortium (ToxIC) Core Registry between 2014 and 2021. Included patients were age ≥11 years with serious toxicity after use of pharmaceutical and/or nonpharmaceutical opioids for whom the reasons for opioid exposure were determined. Pharmaceutical opioids were defined as United States Food and Drug Administration-approved medications. All other opioids were classified as nonpharmaceuticals. The 5250 cases meeting the criteria were 56.6% male with a median age of 36 years (IQR, 26-50). There were 2960 (56.4%) opioid misuse cases and 1456 (27.7%) self-harm attempts. Within the self-harm group, 1242 (85.3%) were suicidal, and 1187 (95.6%) of these used pharmaceutical opioids in their suicide attempt. Only 94 (4.2%) patients using nonpharmaceutical opioids did so in a suicide attempt. Pharmaceutical opioid suicide attempts as a percent of all registry cases peaked between 2015 and 2017 and fell dramatically thereafter (P = 0.005). For comparison, benzodiazepine overdoses similarly decreased (P = 0.003), whereas non-opioid analgesic or antidepressant overdoses increased. A majority of serious opioid overdoses were sequelae of opioid misuse, but over a quarter were intentional self-harm attempts, primarily involving pharmaceutical opioids. Decreased prescribing of opioids and benzodiazepines after 2016-2017 may have resulted in decreased pharmaceutical opioid and benzodiazepine misuse and self-harm attempts. Similar trends were not seen for nonpharmaceutical opioids.

Intercostal Nerve Cryoablation During Lobectomy for Postsurgical Pain: A Safe and Cost-Effective Intervention.

The cost benefit of intercostal nerve cryoablation during surgical lobectomy for postoperative pain management is unknown. The current study compared hospital economics, resource use, and clinical outcomes during the index stay and accompanying short-term follow-up. Patients who underwent lobectomy with standard of care treatment for postsurgical pain management and cryoablation were compared to those with standard of care treatment only. We hypothesized that cryoablation would reduce narcotic use and index hospital and short-term costs. A retrospective, propensity matched cohort of surgical patients treated between 2016 and 2022 from a US National All-Payer Database were used. Cost and outcome comparisons were made between groups using chi-square and ttests. From a cohort of 23,138 patients, 266 pairs with a mean age of 69years were included. Matching variables included age, gender, lobe resected, and prior opioid use. Both groups had significant comorbidity history and prior opioid use; 66% (n = 175 both groups) underwent open lobectomy and 53% (n = 142 vs. 143) had the upper lobe resected. Cryoablation intervention was associated with 1.3days reduced hospital stay (8.8 vs. 10.1days, p = 0.31) and no difference in perioperative safety. After 90days, postsurgery cryoablation patients had lower opioid prescription refills (27.3 vs. 36.9 morphine milligram equivalents, p = 0.03). Cryoablation patient costs trended less than non-cryoablation patients during index ($38,753 vs. $43,974, p = 0.10) and lower through 6months (total costs, $65,703 vs. $74,304, p = 0.10). There was no difference in postsurgery resource use, but a smaller proportion of cryoablation patients had outpatient hospital visits (83.1%, N = 221 vs. 92.9%, n = 247, p < 0.01). Cryoablation during lobectomy is safe and does not add incremental hospital costs. Clinical meaningful reductions in length of stay and postsurgery opioid use were observed with cryoablation intervention. The addition of cryoablation during surgery to reduce postoperative pain appears to be a cost-effective therapy.

Decreasing Incident Opioid Use Disorder, Especially Adolescent and Young Adult.

Opioid prescription policies may reduce availability of prescription opioids and decrease initiation of opioid analgesic misuse and possible opioid use disorder (OUD). OUD prevalence may have decreased in recent years, but there are few studies on trends of OUD incidence. The objective of this study was to examine OUD incidence rates to detect population changes overall and within demographic subgroups over time. In 2023, a longitudinal analysis of incident OUD diagnoses was conducted after implementation of Vermont's July 2017 policy limiting opioid analgesic prescriptions for acute pain. Included were individuals 16+ years with medical claims in Vermont's all-payer claims database between July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2021. Multiple Poisson regression models assessed changes in OUD incidence rates per month overall, controlling for age, sex, rurality, and insurance type, and separately, testing age, rurality, and insurance as moderators. Among 537,707 individuals, there was a 0.8% decrease per month in the OUD incidence rate (95% CI: 0.991, 0.993) from July 2017 through December 2021. Age moderated the association between OUD incidence and time, with the largest decrease per month (1.6%) among 16-29 year-olds (95% CI: 0.981, 0.986). There were smaller decreases in OUD incidence rate per month among 30-44 year-olds (0.6%), 45-59 year-olds (0.5%), and 60+ year-olds (0.6%). This study found that the OUD incidence rate in Vermont decreased overall between July 2017 (policy start limiting opioid analgesic prescriptions) - December 2021, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the most pronounced decrease among adolescents and young adults.

Evaluation of a mobile application to decrease opioid misuse in patients undergoing cesarean section: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundOpioid misuse and addiction are at epidemic levels in the United States. Postoperative opioid prescription is inconsistent and often excessive, including for cesarean section patients. Technology, such as mobile applications and clinical decision support tools, can be used to decrease opioid use and misuse among patients, and to determine more appropriate prescribing practices for specific procedures. The objective of this study was to examine the preliminary impact of the Continuing Precision Medicine (CPM) mobile application to reduce the use of opioid pain medication among women who underwent cesarean section. The primary outcome is morphine milligram equivalents (MME), while the secondary outcomes will be delay to dosages, decrease of usage, and pain scores.MethodsPatients undergoing cesarean section were randomized to either a control group or an experimental group, which used the CPMRx mobile app to help manage postoperative pain. Logistic regression analyses were run to predict opioid misuse by group (control [electronic monitoring blister pack only] versus CPMRx [electronic monitoring blister pack plus mobile application]) and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. Relative risk (RR) was also estimated by log-binomial regression.ResultsIn phase I, 105 patients were assessed for eligibility, however, 66 were excluded (not meeting criteria or declined to participate). In phase 2, 98 patients were assessed for eligibility, however, 48 were excluded for the aforementioned. Results of the logistic regression showed that opioid misuse differed significantly by group (χ2 = 7.27, p = 0.007) with participants in the CPMRx group experiencing a 92% reduction in odds of opioid misuse compared to blister packs only (OR = 0.08, p = 0.03). Relative risk estimation by log-binomial regression also revealed that patients in the control group were at 7 times higher risk of opioid misuse than those using the CPMRx app (Wald χ2 = 3.82, RR = 7.00, p = 0.05). Among the 21 participants in Phase I who did not misuse their prescription opioids, the average number of pills used was 2.7 (SD = 3.5); 95% of patients used 8 or fewer pills, 90% used 6 or fewer, 75% used 4 or fewer, and half of participants used 1 or fewer opioids.ConclusionsWomen using the CPMRx mobile application were less likely to misuse their prescription opioids during the postoperative period following cesarean section. A prescription of 7 tablets of 5 mg oxycodone may be a more appropriate prescription size among this group. Systematically right-sizing prescriptions, including for subgroups, may decrease both patient- and community-level risk of opioid misuse and reduce public health burden.Trial registrationThe study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05461196, 18/07/2022).

Patterns of opioid use for lower limb trauma patients during the first 6 months after discharge.

Guidance recommends that prescribed opioids for acute pain should not be continued beyond the expected period of healing and may lead to long-term use if a large supply is provided or repeat prescriptions are requested. This project investigated how opioids are used by opioid-naïve trauma patients in the first 6 months following discharge from hospital. The findings indicate that patients are frequently discharged from hospital with an opioid prescription and for some this will continue beyond the recommended maximum duration of 3 months and will include dose escalation. Clinicians should be aware of the potential risks associated with prolonged opioid use, including the increased risk of accidental overdose and potential death, and be able to identify which patients are at most risk. Screening for indicators for long-term use may prove more useful than formal risk stratification tools in an acute pain population.

Users of chronic prescription opioids decrease in the first 12 months following bariatric surgery.

Obesity is an independent risk factor for chronic pain frequently treated with opioids. Our study investigated the effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) on chronic opioid prescription use. Using the IBM MarketScan database (2010-2017), we analyzed adult chronic opioid users who underwent bariatric surgery. Opioid use was measured in morphine milligram equivalents (MME) for 6-month periods before and after surgery. Changes in MME for each 6-month interval were compared to preoperative exposure and across the different types of bariatric surgery. Of the 2197 patients identified, 29% discontinued opioids 6 months post surgery, further decreasing to 23.4% at 12 months. Discontinuation rates were similar for VSG and RYGB. Preoperative opioid exposure did not predict postsurgery discontinuation, but patients with multiple opioid prescription types were less likely to stop. Among those continuing opioid use, average MME increased at 6 months post surgery compared with 6 months pre surgery in both groups (mean [SD], RYGB: 49.4 [347.3]; VSG: 74.9 [533.4]). Although bariatric surgery reduced the number of chronic opioid users by nearly 25%, persistent users showed increased average opioid exposure after surgery. Further research to track long-term opioid use should be conducted, and providers should inform patients of these risks and attempt opioid dose reductions before surgery.

Opioid prescriptions for insured individuals without cancer in Germany: data from the BARMER

The importance of opioids in the treatment of non-cancer pain is under debate. No current data are available from Germany on the prevalence of opioid treatment for non-cancer pain. Data on the prevalence of short- and long-term opioid prescriptions for patients without cancer, prescribed agents, co-medication, specialty of prescribing physicians, demographic and clinical characteristics of patients. Retrospective analysis of billing data of adult BARMER-insured persons without evidence of cancer (N = 6,771,075) in 2021 and for patients initiating opioid therapy in 2019 (n = 142,598). In total, 5.7% of the insured persons without acancer diagnosis received at least one prescription for an opioid in 2021, while 1.9% received long-term therapy. Tilidine and tramadol were the most frequently prescribed opioids in short- and long-term therapy. Women received opioids more frequently than men. The frequency of prescriptions significantly increased with age. In 2021, 22.5% of insured persons with long-term opioid therapy received aco-medication with pregabalin and/or gabapentin, 37.5% with an antidepressant and 58.1% with metamizole and/or NSAIDs. Atotal of 59.5% of first prescriptions were issued by general practitioners. In the first year of therapy, an average of 2.1 practices were involved in prescribing analgetics for people on long-term opioid therapy and 13different chronic diseases were documented. Opioid therapy for non-cancer-related pain is predominantly carried out by general practitioners in older and multi-morbid patients. The indication for or against opioid therapy requires shared decision-making with patients and, if necessary, their relatives, as well as areview of possible drug interactions.

Comparison of postoperative and outpatient opioid use in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients treated with posterior spinal fusion surgery and vertebral body tethering.

Surgical treatments for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) include posterior spinal fusion (PSF) and vertebral body tethering (VBT), but there is limited data that compares pain between these groups. We aimed to compare postoperative pain between these patients through inpatient opioid use and opioid prescriptions post-discharge. A retrospective review of patients diagnosed with AIS whounderwent PSF or VBT surgery was reviewed to determine LOS, inpatient opioid use, and opioids prescribed post-discharge. Only PSF patients who received liposomal bupivacaine and intrathecal (IT) hydromorphone, and VBT patients who received a paravertebral catheter of lidocaine and in addition toIT hydromorphone were included. Opioid amounts were reported as oral morphine equivalents (OMEs). Of 198 AIS patients that met inclusion, there were 89 PSF and 109 VBT patients. PSF patients had an increased LOS by 0.6 days compared to VBT patients (p < 0.001). Patients in the PSF group were administered a mean of 30.0 OMEs/day compared with the VBT group who received 12.5 OMEs/day (p < 0.001). At discharge, PSF patients were initially prescribed a mean of 227.7 OMEs while VBT patients' mean prescription was 139.7 (p < 0.001). PSF patients received more refills (Χ2 (1, n = 198) = 26.8, p < .001) and had a higher mean total of outpatient OMEs prescribed when compared to VBT patients (359.4 vs 185.8, p < 0.001). In AIS patients undergoing surgical correction, those who underwent PSF had longer LOS, received more inpatient OMEs, and were prescribed more OMEs both at initial discharge and total as an outpatient, when compared to VBT patients. Level III: (retrospective cohort study).

Application of Machine Learning to Identify Risk Factors for Outpatient Opioid Prescriptions Following Spine Surgery

Application of Machine Learning to Identify Risk Factors for Outpatient Opioid Prescriptions Following Spine Surgery

Pain Assessment Following Opioid Administration in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Associated Headache

Background: Headache is a debilitating complication following an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Despite its impact on morbidity and quality of life, limited evidence characterizes the effectiveness of opioids. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate opioid associated reduction in pain scores in patients with aSAH-associated headache. Methods: This is a retrospective study of adult patients with an aSAH, Hunt and Hess grades I – III, admitted to a neurosciences intensive care unit. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to characterize headache treatment strategies and opioid associated reduction in pain scores. Results: Opioids were used in up to 97.6% of patients for the management of aSAH-associated headache. Median reduction in pain after opioid administration was −1 (IQR: -3-0). Correlation between opioid dose and change in pain scores was negligible (rs = .01). Overall, 68.8% of patients were discharged on an opioid analgesic with predictive factors being severe headache (OR 2.52; 1.04 – 6.14) and oral morphine milligram equivalents ≥60 mg per day during the hospital stay (OR 3.02; 1.22 – 7.47). Conclusions: Opioids were associated with a small reduction in pain when assessed via the NRS. An increased opioid dose did not correlate with a greater reduction in assessed pain scores. A high percentage of patients remained on opioids throughout hospitalization and were eventually discharged on an opioid. The impact of discharge opioid prescriptions and risk of opioid persistence creates a cause for concern. It is imperative that we seek improved pain management strategies for aSAH-associated headache.

Rates and predictors of opioid deprescribing after fracture: A retrospective study of Medicare fee‐for‐service claims

AbstractBackgroundAdults with Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease related dementias (ADRD) or frailty are susceptible to fractures. Opioid analgesics are frequently prescribed after fractures. Documenting post‐fracture opioid discontinuation rates and predictors of discontinuation among adults with ADRD or frailty can inform clinical practice, identify potential disparities, and improve pain management guidelines. The objective of this paper was to investigate opioid discontinuation in opioid‐naïve older adults who used opioids after an acute fracture.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included opioid‐naïve Medicare fee‐for‐service beneficiaries (N = 33,027) ≥65 years of age who filled an opioid prescription within 30 days of a vertebral, lower extremity, or upper extremity fracture from 2013 to 2018. Beneficiaries were classified according to ADRD (yes/no) and frailty (yes/no) status using validated claims‐based algorithms. The primary outcome was opioid discontinuation, defined as a 30‐day supply gap. We estimated discontinuation rates with the Kaplan–Meier method and identified predictors of opioid discontinuation using Cox proportional hazards regression.ResultsThe 30‐day opioid discontinuation rate was similar among non‐frail beneficiaries without ADRD (81% [95% CI, 80%–81%]) and those who were non‐frail with ADRD (83% [81%–84%]). Comparatively, 30‐day discontinuation rates were lower among those with frailty and ADRD (76% [75%–77%]) and those with frailty alone (77% [75%–78%]). After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, health status, healthcare utilization, and calendar year, beneficiaries with both ADRD and frailty (HR, 0.90 [0.87–0.93]) and those with frailty alone (HR, 0.85 [0.82–0.89]), but not those with ADRD alone (HR, 1.06 [1.01–1.10]), were less likely to discontinue opioids compared with those without ADRD or frailty.Conclusions and RelevanceOur findings suggest that frailty, but not ADRD, was associated with a lower likelihood of opioid discontinuation among older adults who initiated opioids after an acute fracture. Further research is needed to understand how opioid deprescribing practices depend on patient and provider preferences.

Exploring high opioid prescriptions among nephrologists in the United States using machine learning algorithms

Exploring high opioid prescriptions among nephrologists in the United States using machine learning algorithms

Opioid Prescribing Patterns and the Effect of Chronic Kidney Disease in Pediatric Urology Population: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis

Opioid Prescribing Patterns and the Effect of Chronic Kidney Disease in Pediatric Urology Population: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis

Bariatric Surgery Targeting Opioid Prescribing: A National Model for Effectively Reducing Opioid Use After Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric Surgery Targeting Opioid Prescribing: A National Model for Effectively Reducing Opioid Use After Bariatric Surgery

Black Race is Associated with Decreased Exposure to Advanced Therapies and Worse Outcomes in Individuals with Ulcerative Colitis.

For people diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC), racial disparities exist both in access to medications and clinical outcomes. We used the TriNetX database for two population-based retrospective analyses with Black (n = 22,519) and Asian (n = 8,626) individuals with UC matched for age, sex, and ethnicity. Outcomes included mortality, medication prescriptions, and clinical encounters at 6 months and 10 years. At 6 months and 10 years after diagnosis, Black people had increased mortality (2.7% vs. 1.9% and 8.1% vs. 6.9%, p < 0.0001), were prescribed fewer UC-specific therapies (21.3% vs. 26.4% and 30% vs. 36%, p < 0.0001), had higher rates of emergency department visits (22.3% vs. 13.6% and 41.2% vs. 31.5%, p < 0.0001), and higher hospitalisation rates (30.1% vs. 25.8% and 42.6% vs. 39.9%, p < 0.0001). At 6 months, they had more opioid prescriptions (18.5% vs. 15.7%, p < 0.0001). Asian people had lower mortality at 10 years (5.6% vs. 7.7%, p < 0.0001), higher rates of UC-specific medications at 6 months (28.6% vs. 26.5%, p = 0.002), and more hospitalizations (38.8% vs. 27.7%, p < 0.0001 at 6 months and 50% vs. 42.2%, p < 0.0001 at 10 years). Black individuals with UC are prescribed fewer disease-specific therapies compared to White individuals and have increased hospitalizations and mortality. Black individuals have higher rates of opioid prescriptions. Opioids have been associated with increased complication rates in inflammatory bowel disease. These trends are not seen in Asian individuals. This reveals critical disparities in the care of Black people with UC with opportunity for targeted interventions.

Systematic Approaches to Optimize Opioid Prescribing in Surgical Patients

The opioid crisis has highlighted the urgent need to optimize pain management strategies in surgical settings, prompting a shift towards opioid-sparing therapies. While opioids are crucial for alleviating moderate to severe postoperative pain, their over prescription poses significant risks, including addiction and overdose. This paper examines the feasibility of achieving opioid-free surgical recovery, particularly for minor and minimally invasive procedures, with the goal of extending this practice to more invasive surgeries through enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs. It also considers the cultural factors that influence patient expectations regarding pain management in countries with lower opioid prescribing rates, such as Japan and Germany, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches in the United States. The study advocates for the exclusion of opioids at every stage of the perioperative experience, promoting opioid-free anesthesia and analgesia. A framework for optimizing opioid prescribing practices in surgical contexts is proposed, highlighting the vital roles of acute pain specialists and pharmacists in developing comprehensive pain management strategies. By incorporating multimodal analgesia techniques, including non-opioid medications and alternative therapies, healthcare providers can effectively mitigate the risks associated with opioids while ensuring adequate pain relief

INVESTIGATION OF GEOSPATIAL DISPARITIES IN CHRONIC PANCREATITIS OUTCOMES.

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a fibro-inflammatory disorder characterized by abdominal pain and exocrine and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency resulting in significant morbidity. This study evaluates the impact of geospatial parameters, assessed using the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), a tool comprising sixteen social attributes, on CP outcomes, including opioid use. We conducted a retrospective analysis of CP patients with available addresses followed at our pancreas center. We reviewed demographics, clinical variables including number of CP flares, local complications, pancreatic function, and healthcare-resource utilization (HRU) including imaging, endoscopic procedures, and surgeries, and outpatient opioid prescriptions measured in morphine milligram equivalents (MME). Regression analysis was performed to assess the association between outcomes and SVI [divided into 4 quartiles (I-IV; IV being most vulnerable]. Among 324 CP patients followed over 8 years, we noted trends of higher dependence on governmental insurance or no insurance among patients in higher SVI quartiles (III/IV vs. I/II) but no differences in demographics, comorbidities, or etiology of CP. In patients residing in more vulnerable SVI quartiles, we noted significantly higher frequency of hospitalizations for CP flares and lower daily MME. Rates of exocrine and endocrine pancreatic dysfunction and HRU were similar across all SVI quartiles. Despite multidisciplinary guideline-based care, residence in the most vulnerable neighborhoods may be associated with less opioid use and more frequent CP flares, suggesting possible inadequate pain control in these patients. These findings should guide prospective investigation of the impact of geospatial social determinants of health in CP and efforts to mitigate the above disparities.

Changes in Postpartum Opioid Prescribing After Implementation of State Opioid Prescribing Limits

In response to the growing opioid crisis, states implemented opioid prescribing limits to reduce exposure to opioid analgesics. Research in other clinical contexts has found that these limits are relatively ineffective at changing opioid analgesic prescribing. To examine the association of state-level opioid prescribing limits with opioid prescribing within the 30-day postpartum period, as disaggregated by type of delivery (vaginal vs cesarean) and opioid naivete. This retrospective, observational cohort study used commercial claims data from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2021, from 49 US states and a difference-in-differences staggered adoption estimator to examine changes in postpartum opioid prescribing among all deliveries to enrollees between the ages of 18 and 44 years in the US. The implementation of a state opioid prescribing limit between 2017 and 2019. The primary outcomes for this analysis were the number of prescriptions for opioid analgesics, proportion of prescriptions with a supply greater than 7 days, and milligrams of morphine equivalent (MMEs) per delivery between 3 days before and 30 days after delivery. A total of 1 572 338 deliveries (enrollee mean [SD] age, 30.20 [1.59] years) were identified between 2014 and 2021, with 32.3% coded as cesarean deliveries. A total of 98.4% of these were to opioid-naive patients. The mean MMEs per delivery was 310.79, with higher rates in earlier years, states that had an opioid prescribing limit, and cesarean deliveries. In a covariate-adjusted difference-in-differences regression analysis, opioid prescribing limits were associated with a decrease of 148.70 MMEs per delivery (95% CI, -657.97 to 360.57) compared with states without such limits. However, these changes were not statistically significant. The pattern of results was similar among other opioid-prescribing outcomes and types of deliveries. The results of this cohort study suggest that opioid prescribing limits are not associated with changes in postpartum opioid prescribing regardless of delivery type or opioid naivete, which is consistent with research findings on these limits in other conditions or settings. Future research could explore what kinds of prevention mechanisms reduce the risk of opioid prescribing during pregnancy and postpartum.