Opioid Types Research Articles

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Referral Rejection from Postacute Care Facilities among People with Opioid Use Disorder in Massachusetts.

The aim of the study was to examine the association between Black, White, and Hispanic or Latino race and ethnicity and referral rejection from private postacute care facilities among hospitalized individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). In this retrospective cohort study, we linked electronic postacute care referrals from Boston Medical Center in 2018 to electronic medical record data, which we used to ascertain OUD status and race and ethnicity. Using multivariable logistic regression, we examined the association between Black, White, and Hispanic or Latino race and ethnicity and referral rejection, adjusting for individual-level characteristics including medication for opioid use disorder treatment type and for facility-level factors using facility random effects. We identified 159 hospitalizations from 141 individuals with OUD referred to private postacute medical care, corresponding to 1272 referrals to 244 facilities. Hospitalizations comprised 53 (33%) non-Hispanic Black, 28 (18%) Hispanic or Latino, and 78 (49%) non-Hispanic White individuals. In adjusted analyses, referrals for non-Hispanic Black individuals had significantly higher odds of rejection compared to referrals for non-Hispanic White individuals (adjusted odds ratio 1.83, 95% confidence interval [1.24, 2.69], P = 0.002). There were no significant differences between referrals for Hispanic or Latino individuals and non-Hispanic White individuals (adjusted odds ratio 1.11, 95% confidence interval [0.67, 1.84], P = 0.69). Among people with OUD referred to private postacute care in Massachusetts, non-Hispanic Black individuals were more likely to be rejected compared to non-Hispanic White individuals, demonstrating racism in postacute care admissions. Efforts to address discrimination against people with OUD in postacute care admissions must also address racial equity.

Improving Diagnosis and Management of Opioid-Induced Constipation (OIC) in Clinical Practice: An Italian Expert Opinion

Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is a very common and troublesome gastrointestinal side effect following the use of opioids. Despite existing international guidelines, OIC is largely underdiagnosed and undertreated. ECHO OIC is a European project designed to improve the diagnosis and management of OIC at the primary care level. The next phase of the ECHO OIC project is to review and adapt the proposed European pathway at national level, considering the local patient journey and clinical practice. A multidisciplinary group of 12 Italian experts reviewed and discussed the European path and formulated a seven-step guide for the practical management of OIC that is also easily applicable in primary care: 1. When prescribing long-term opioids, the physician should inform the patient of the possibility of the onset of OIC; 2. At opioid prescription, doctors should also prescribe a treatment for constipation, preferably macrogol or stimulant laxatives; 3. The patient should be evaluated for OIC within the second week of initiating opioid treatment, by clinical history and Rome IV criteria; 4. In the presence of constipation despite laxatives, prescription of a PAMORA (Peripherally Acting Mu Opioid Receptor Antagonist) should be considered; 5. When prescribing a PAMORA, prescribing information should be carefully reviewed, and patients should be accurately instructed for appropriate use; 6. Efficacy and tolerability of the PAMORA should be monitored regularly by Bowel Function Index, considering a cut-off of 30 for the possible step-up of OIC treatment; 7. After 4 weeks of treatment, if the efficacy of PAMORA is deemed inadequate, discontinuation of the PAMORA, addition of an anti-constipation drugs, change of opioid type, or referral to a specialist should be considered. Spreading knowledge about the OIC problem as much as possible to the health community is crucial to obtain not only an early treatment of the condition but also to promote its prevention.

Association of postoperative opioid type with mortality and readmission rates: multicentre retrospective cohort study.

Opioid treatment in postoperative pain management is crucial, but the impact of administration practices on outcomes is unclear. The hypothesis was that prescription trends remained stable over recent years, and that no difference in mortality and readmission risks is associated with prescription strategies. Electronic health records of surgical episodes in the Capital and Zealand Regions of Denmark from 2017 to 2021 were analysed. All opioids administered during postoperative admission were converted to oral morphine equivalents (OMEQs) and an average daily dose per patient was calculated. The opioid administered in the highest OMEQ dosages is considered the primary opioid strategy for the surgical case. Administration trends were analysed through linear regression, and Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios to assess dominant opioid strategies' association with 90-day mortality and readmission rates while controlling for confounders. A total of 183 317 patients met the inclusion criteria. Prescription trends remained steady during the study period. Multivariable analysis revealed increased readmission risk (HR 1.18, P < 0.001) of tramadol and tapentadol compared to morphine. They exhibited decreased 90-day mortality risk (HR 0.63, P < 0.001). Oxycodone had similar readmission risk (HR 1.009, P = 0.24) but lower 90-day mortality risk (HR 0.68, P < 0.001). Postoperative in-hospital opioid administration remained stable from 2017 to 2021. Tramadol/tapentadol had a higher risk of readmission but lower mortality risk. Oxycodone had comparable readmission but reduced mortality risk. This study provides a framework for future clinical trials assessing this potential impact of opioids in a targeted manner.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Emergency Department Visits for Opioid Use Disorder Across University of California Health Centers

Introduction: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has had a devastating impact on mental health and access to addiction treatment in the United States, including in California, which resulted in the highest rates of emergency department visits (ED) for opioid poisoning in 2020. As California slowly returns to pre-pandemic normalcy, it remains uncertain whether the rates of opioid-related events have slowed down over time. We hypothesized that the number of opioid-related ED visits were exacerbated after the period of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue at a high rate in the present. Methods: In this analysis we searched the University of California (UC) Health Data Warehouse—a database of electronic health records from six UC health centers—for opioid-related ED visits, identifiying using the following International Classification of Diseases, 10th Ed, Clinical Modification codes: F11 codes, and T40.0*, T40.1*, T40.2*, T40.3*, T40.4*, T40.6*. Opioid overdose-associated visits were classified by types of opioids involved: heroin (T40.1*); prescription opioids (T40.2* or T40.3*); and synthetic opioids (T40.4*). We performed interrupted time analysis to estimate the immediate (level) change and change-in-time trend (trend change), from before (January 2018–October 2019) and during the pandemic (April 2020–December 2022). Monthly visit rates were evaluated with negative binomial regression adjusted for first-order autoregression and using all-cause ED counts as the offset. We present effect sizes as rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), tested at α = .05. Results: Before COVID-19, a steadily increasing trend in ED visit rates was observed for all outcomes (P &amp;lt; 0.05) except synthetic opioids. Total opioid-related ED visit rates increased by 15% (RR 1.15, 95%CI 1.02–1.29, P = 0.20) immediately after March 2020 before decreasing by 0.5% every month, albeit without statistical significance (RR .995, 95% CI .991–1.00, P = 0.06). Similar trends were observed with prescription opioid overdoses, with a step increase of 44% (RR 1.44, 95% CI 1.10–1.89, P = .008) before plateauing after March 2020 (RR 1.01, 95% CI .998–1.02, P = 0.12). After March 2020, ED visit rates for synthetic opioid overdoses were increasing steadily by 4% every month (RR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02–1.06, P = .001), unlike with heroin, which was observed with an 8% monthly reduction (RR .92, 95% CI .90–.93, P &amp;lt; .001). No immediate increase in visit rates was observed for either opioid. Conclusion: While opioid-related ED admissions among the UC health centers showed an overall decrease, prescription and synthetic opioid overdoses remained significantly higher than pre-pandemic trends as of December 2022. A multilevel approach to improve awareness of new opioid health policies could ameliorate these alarming rises in the post-pandemic era.

AN UPDATED VIEW ON THE INFLUENCE OF INITIAL OPIOID PRESCRIPTION CHARACTERISTICS ON LONG-TERM OPIOID USE AMONG OPIOID NAÏVE PATIENTS

OBJECTIVESThis retrospective cohort study provides an updated view on the association between the likelihood of long-term opioid use (LTOU) and characteristics of the initial opioid prescription (dose, opioid type) and initial opioid prescription episode (days’ supplied) among opioid-naïve patients utilizing IQVIA PharMetrics®Plus for Academics database representative of commercially insured patients in the US. METHODSKaplan-Meier estimates were used to determine opioid continuation likelihood at 365 days stratified by the characteristics of the initial opioid prescription and initial opioid prescription episode. Cox-proportional hazard models were estimated to determine the strength of association between initial opioid prescription characteristics and opioid continuation. RESULTSA total of 578,403 cancer-free, SUD-free, opioid-naïve subjects aged ≥14 years that filled ≥1 opioid prescriptions between April 13, 2016 and April 18, 2020 were identified and categorized based on time to opioid discontinuation. After accounting for censoring, 5.05% of persons continued opioid use for ≥365 days. Compared to a 1-2 days’ supply (DS), the likelihood of opioid discontinuation was consistently lower with higher DS [HRs (CIs): 3–4 days' supply = 0.66 (0.65-0.66); 5–7 DS = 0.41 (0.41-0.41); 8–10 DS = 0.33 (0.33-0.34); 11–14 DS = 0.30 (0.29-0.31); 15–21 DS = 0.26 (0.26-0.27); ≥22 DS = 0.17 (0.17-0.18)]. These associations between increased DS and decreased likelihood of discontinuing opioid remained consistent across different pain etiologies. CONCLUSIONSIn this era of more conservative opioid prescribing, increases in DS remains the strongest factor associated with a higher likelihood of LTOU.

Patterns and predictors of opioid dispensing among older cancer patients from 2008 to 2015.

Understanding factors associated with opioid dispensing in cancer patients is important for developing tailored guidelines and ensuring equitable access to pain management. We examined patterns and predictors of opioid dispensing among older cancer patients from 2008 to 2015. We analyzed data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database linked to Medicare claims. We included the most common cancer types among patients aged 66-95 years. Opioids dispensed within 30 days before and 120 days after cancer diagnosis were assessed. We used logistic regression models to examine trends, adjusted odds ratios (aORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for opioid dispensing, considering patient demographics, geography, cancer stage, comorbidities, and treatment options. Models were stratified by sex. A total of 211,759 cancer patients aged 66-95 years were included in the study. For cancers combined, non-Hispanic Black men had a significantly lower odds of receiving opioids during the 120 days post-diagnosis (aOR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.84-0.94) compared to non-Hispanic White men. Factors such as pre-diagnosis opioid dispensing, age, geography, cancer stage, comorbidities, and type of cancer treatment were associated with opioid dispensing during the 120 days post-diagnosis. Surgery had the strongest association, with men undergoing surgery being 4.4 times more likely to receive opioids within 120 days post-diagnosis (aOR = 4.41, 95% CI = 4.23-4.60), while women had an odds ratio of 2.72 (95% CI = 2.62-2.83). Chemotherapy and radiotherapy were also positively associated with opioid dispensing, with less pronounced estimates. We observed significant variations in opioid dispensing among cancer patients aged 66-95 years across cancer types and demographic and clinical factors.

Impact of opioids on hospital stay and mortality in patients undergoing abdominal surgeries

PurposePostoperative pain management is a critical aspect of surgical care, significantly influencing patient recovery and outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the impact of opioid use on hospital stay and mortality rates among patients undergoing abdominal surgeries in Brazil, where healthcare disparities may affect postoperative outcomes.MethodsThis observational cross-sectional study was conducted at the University Hospital Onofre Lopes in Natal, Brazil. We included 385 patients aged 18 years or older who underwent abdominal surgery in 2023. Data were collected from medical records, focusing on analgesic therapy, opioid types, dosages, and patient demographics. Statistical analyses were performed using JAMOVI software.ResultsOpioid consumption was prevalent among the cohort, with 89.6% of patients receiving opioids postoperatively. Tramadol was the most frequently administered opioid, followed by nalbuphine and morphine. Patients treated with morphine had a significantly extended median hospital stay (15.5 days) compared to those receiving tramadol or nalbuphine (2 days). Morphine use was also associated with a higher mortality rate, with these patients being 16 times more likely to die compared to those on weaker opioids. Older age and extended hospital stays were additional risk factors for increased mortality.ConclusionOpioids were used extensively in this cohort as the main analgesic drug for postoperative pain management after abdominal surgeries. Use was associated with prolonged hospital stay and higher probability of death.

Abstract A097: Racial and ethnic disparities in risk of persistent opioid use in a diverse cohort of breast cancer survivors and matched women without cancer

Abstract Background: Persistent opioid use (POU) in breast cancer survivors after they have completed active cancer treatment is an emerging area of concern. Disparities affecting the risk of POU remains understudied in breast cancer survivors. We evaluated disparities in examining the risk with POU in breast cancers survivors in the year after active cancer treatment along with a comparison group. Methods: We assembled a cohort of 14,347 female breast cancer (BC) survivors diagnosed in 2009-2019 treated for early-stage disease (in situ, local, regional), who had at least two opioid prescriptions after one year of survivorship and 51,369 age-matched women without cancer. Data were captured from the tumor registry, electronic health records, and pharmacy databases. The primary outcome was POU defined as continuously receiving at least 90 days supplies of opioids during follow-up. Patients were followed through the date once they met POU criteria, died, disenrolled from health plan, or reached study’s end (12/31/2021), whichever came first. We used the multivariable proportional hazard regression to estimate the association [hazard ratios (HR), 95% confidence interval (CI)] between race ethnicity and POU. Results: Overall, the cohort was diverse: 7% Asian/Pacific Islander (API); 14% Black; 28% Hispanic; and 50% White women. During a median follow-up of 6.4 years, 11134 (17%) women developed POU. Patients who developed POU had longer annualized median opioid duration, especially in Black patients (175 vs. 5 days) and were prescribed stronger opioids [median maximum daily morphine milligram equivalent (62.5 vs 42.9)], compared to those who did not develop POU. In the multivariable analyses adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, opioid type, and other pain medications, Black, Hispanic and API women were 28%, 42% and 54% less likely to develop POU compared to White women [HR (95%CI): 0.72 (0.68-0.76), 0.58 (0.55-0.61), and 0.46 (0.42-0.52), respectively]. However, Black women were only 19% less likely [HR (95%CI): 0.81(0.72-0.92)] to develop POU compared to White women in BC survivors. Also, patients with older age, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index ≥3; smoking, type of opioid (Oxycodone and hydrocodone), and who used other psychiatric and pain medications had significantly greater POU risk. Conclusion: Findings suggest that women of color were less likely to develop POU. Further studies will include further examining clinical and pharmacological management which might have played a role in the race ethnicity groups. Citation Format: Lie Hong Chen, Rulin C. Hechter, Jiaxiao Shi, Zheng Gu, Moira Brady-Rogers, Rowan T. Chlebowski, Reina Hague. Racial and ethnic disparities in risk of persistent opioid use in a diverse cohort of breast cancer survivors and matched women without cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr A097.

Comparison of Analgesic Effects and Adverse Events of Hydromorphone PCIA Versus Sufentanil PCIA: A Retrospective Analysis

PurposeThe aim of this study was to compare the analgesic effect and adverse events of hydromorphone patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) without background dose versus sufentanil PCIA with background dose in patients after surgery. DesignA retrospective analysis. MethodsFrom June 2020 to May 2021, 1594 eligible postoperative patients who received PCIA were collected in this study. According to the types of opioids, patients were divided into two groups: sufentanil group and hydromorphone group. Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Functional Activity Scale (FAS) and Level of Sedation (LOS) were used to evaluate the analgesic effects between the two groups. In addition, total PCA use, effective number of PCA compressions, and adverse effects of PCIA were compared between the two groups. FindingsAt 24 hours (h) after sugery, the FAS score in the sufentanil group was higher than that in the hydromorphone group (P<0.05). Compared with the sufentanil group, total PCA use, total number of PCA compressions and effective number of PCA consumptions were significantly decreased in the hydromorphone group during a 48h period (P < 0.05). There were no statistical differences in NRS score, LOS score and adverse events between two groups at 24h and 48h after surgery. ConclusionsCompared with sufentanil PCIA with background dose, under the similar analgesic effect, hydromorphone PCIA without background dose provided lower PCA use. Our findings may provide useful evidence for more future studies related to postoperative analgesia.

Contemporary burden and trends of opioid-overdose mortality in New York State

BackgroundLimited research exists on contemporary opioid overdose mortality burden and trends in New York State, with most studies focusing on New York City. This study aimed to assess opioid overdose burden and death trends in New York State by age, sex, race/ethnicity, geographic area, opioid type, and overdose intent from 1999 to 2020. MethodsMortality data were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's WONDER database. Opioid overdose decedents were identified using relevant International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes. Joinpoint regression analyzed trends, estimating annual and average annual percentage changes in age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR). 95% confidence intervals were derived using the Parametric Method. ResultsFrom 1999 to 2020, New York State recorded 34,109 opioid overdose deaths (AAMR = 7.9 per 100,000 persons; 95% CI: 7.8–7.9). The overall trend increased by 12.6% per year (95% CI: 10.8, 14.4) from 2004 to 2020. Subgroups exhibited varying trends, with an 11.1% yearly increase among Non-Hispanic White persons from 2007 to 2020 (95% CI: 9.0, 13.2), a 24.6% annual rise among Non-Hispanic Black persons from 2012 to 2020 (95% CI: 17.7, 31.8), and an 18.3% increase yearly among Hispanic individuals from 2011 to 2020 (95% CI: 14.0, 22.9). Recent trends have worsened in both males and females, across all age groups, in both New York City (NYC) and areas outside NYC, and for heroin, natural and semisynthetic opioids, and synthetic opioids. ConclusionsOpioid overdose mortality in New York State has worsened significantly in the last two decades. Further research is essential to identify driving factors for targeted public health interventions.

Disparities in Postpartum Pain Management After Cesarean Delivery [ID 2683520

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated whether postpartum pain management differs by practice setting, ethnicity, insurance, and preferred language in women with cesarean deliveries (CDs). METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study. Participants who underwent CD at term between 2021 and 2022 were included. Participants with history of opioid use, allergies to NSAIDS, general anesthesia, and postpartum stay greater than 5 days were excluded. The outcomes measures include number of oral “as needed” opioids received measured in morphine milligram equivalents, frequency of pain scores done on the postpartum unit, initial pain scores, pain scores at discharge, and the type and amount of opioids prescribed at discharge. The association of these outcomes based on practice setting (federally funded health center [FFHC] versus private practice [PP]), public versus private insurance, preferred language (English versus non-English), and Hispanic versus Non-Hispanic ethnicity were evaluated. Institutional review board approval was obtained. RESULTS: Four hundred seventy-nine participants were included. FFHCs received less “as-needed” opioids than patients of PP (P=.03). Publicly insured received less opioids than privately insured at discharge (P=.03). English-speaking participants were asked about their pain more frequently (P=.05) and received more inpatient opioids than non-English-speaking participants (P=.00). Non-Hispanic participants were asked about their pain more frequently (P=.042) and were more likely to be discharged with opioid-only medications (P=.04) than Hispanic patients who were discharged with combined medications (P=.03). CONCLUSION: Women attending FFHC, non-English-speaking, with public insurance, and of Hispanic ethnicity experience disparities in postpartum pain management. Targeted protocols should be developed to eliminate the disparities that exist in postpartum pain management.

Evaluation of opioid prescribing for surgical patients discharged from three metropolitan hospitals between 2012 and 2020.

This multicentre, retrospective medical record audit evaluated opioid analgesia prescribing within a Victorian metropolitan public hospital network. The study included all surgical patients discharged between January 2012 and December 2020 with one or more discharge prescriptions from three metropolitan hospitals (n = 117,989). The main outcome measures were mean oral morphine equivalent daily dose (OMEDD), mean number of opioid types and proportion of patients prescribed one or more slow-release opioids on discharge.Total opioid prescribing (mean OMEDD) peaked in 2013. Between 2017 and 2020 there was a trend towards prescribing fewer opioids on discharge. Over the study period, there was decreasing prescription of codeine and increasing prescription of oxycodone and tapentadol. The proportion of patients prescribed slow-release opioids increased in the earlier years of the study, reaching a peak of 20.6% in 2017. Since 2017 there has been a rapid reduction in the prescription of slow-release opioids.Subanalysis was undertaken to evaluate key changes in the opioid prescribing landscape in the health network. The removal of default opioid pack sizes in the electronic medication management system (December 2014) and the release of the Faculty of Pain Medicine-Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists' statement regarding the use of opioid analgesics in patients with chronic non-cancer pain (March 2018) were associated with significant reductions in mean OMEDD prescribed on discharge (136 mg vs 122 mg and 120 mg vs 85.4 mg, respectively, P < 0.001).In conclusion, the quantity of opioids prescribed on discharge in this patient group peaked in 2013 and has been decreasing since.

Influence of Eat, Sleep, and Console on Infants Pharmacologically Treated for Opioid Withdrawal

The function-based eat, sleep, console (ESC) care approach substantially reduces the proportion of infants who receive pharmacologic treatment for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). This reduction has led to concerns for increased postnatal opioid exposure in infants who receive pharmacologic treatment. However, the effect of the ESC care approach on hospital outcomes for infants pharmacologically treated for NOWS is currently unknown. To evaluate differences in opioid exposure and total length of hospital stay (LOS) for pharmacologically treated infants managed with the ESC care approach vs usual care with the Finnegan tool. This post hoc subgroup analysis involved infants pharmacologically treated in ESC-NOW, a stepped-wedge cluster randomized clinical trial conducted at 26 US hospitals. Hospitals maintained pretrial practices for pharmacologic treatment, including opioid type, scheduled opioid dosing, and use of adjuvant medications. Infants were born at 36 weeks' gestation or later, had evidence of antenatal opioid exposure, and received opioid treatment for NOWS between September 2020 and March 2022. Data were analyzed from November 2022 to January 2024. Opioid treatment for NOWS and the ESC care approach. For each outcome (total opioid exposure, peak opioid dose, time from birth to initiation of first opioid dose, length of opioid treatment, and LOS), we used generalized linear mixed models to adjust for the stepped-wedge design and maternal and infant characteristics. In the ESC-NOW trial, 463 of 1305 infants were pharmacologically treated (143/603 [23.7%] in the ESC care approach group and 320/702 [45.6%] in the usual care group). Mean total opioid exposure was lower in the ESC care approach group with an absolute difference of 4.1 morphine milligram equivalents per kilogram (MME/kg) (95% CI, 1.3-7.0) when compared with usual care (4.8 MME/kg vs 8.9 MME/kg, respectively; P = .001). Mean time from birth to initiation of pharmacologic treatment was 22.4 hours (95% CI, 7.1-37.7) longer with the ESC care approach vs usual care (75.4 vs 53.0 hours, respectively; P = .002). No significant difference in mean peak opioid dose was observed between groups (ESC care approach, 0.147 MME/kg, vs usual care, 0.126 MME/kg). The mean length of treatment was 6.3 days shorter (95% CI, 3.0-9.6) in the ESC care approach group vs usual care group (11.8 vs 18.1 days, respectively; P < .001), and mean LOS was 6.2 days shorter (95% CI, 3.0-9.4) with the ESC care approach than with usual care (16.7 vs 22.9 days, respectively; P < .001). When compared with usual care, the ESC care approach was associated with less opioid exposure and shorter LOS for infants pharmacologically treated for NOWS. The ESC care approach was not associated with a higher peak opioid dose, although pharmacologic treatment was typically initiated later. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04057820.

Time trends in opioid use for patients undergoing hip fracture surgery in 1997-2018: A Danish population-based cohort study.

Although opioids are a mainstay for perioperative pain management in hip fracture patients, no studies have described changes in opioid use over the last two decades. The aim of this study was to describe time trends in opioid use in a population-based cohort of patients undergoing a first-time hip fracture surgery during 1997-2018. Opioid-naïve hip fracture patients >55 years old were identified in Danish medical databases (n = 115,962). By 2-year calendar periods, we calculated prevalence rates (PR) of opioid use in the four quarters after surgery (Q1-Q4). Corresponding prevalence rate ratios (PRR) with 1997-1998 as a reference were estimated with 95% confidence intervals. Further, we calculated the median morphine milligram equivalents (MME) for each quarter. For Q1, the PR of opioid use increased from 29% in 1997-1998 to 78% in 2017-2018 corresponding to a PRR of 2.7 (2.6-2.8). For Q4, the PR was 15% in 1997-1998, peaked in 2003-2004 and then decreased, but stayed high at 13% in 2017-2018. The median MME did not increase when comparing 2017-2018 with 1997-1998, irrespective of the quarter. Tramadol was most frequently used in 1997-1998 shifting to oxycodone in 2017-2018. The PRs of opioid use in Q1 after surgery increased substantially from 1997 to 2018, but this did not translate into increased opioid use up to 1 year after hip fracture surgery or higher dosage. Our findings underline the importance of sustained focus on opioid tapering, dosage and use of opioids with the lowest potential for addiction and other adverse events. Overall, opioid use in Q1 after hip fracture surgery increased 2.7 times from 1997 to 2018, but the doses and opioid use up to 1 year after surgery remained stable. Compared to elderly, younger patients were more likely to use opioid in Q1, while the tendency was opposite in Q2-Q4. The most used opioid type changed from tramadol to oxycodone. Our findings underline the importance of personalized opioid tapering and doses, and use of opioids with the lowest potential for addiction and other adverse events.

Changes in lymph node surgery in breast cancer and preoperative drug prescription analysis for postoperative pain management: A retrospective, cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to investigate the changes in lymph node surgery types and prescription patterns of postoperative medications for pain management in patients with breast cancer using national health insurance claim data from South Korea. The study population comprised patients with at least one record of a principal diagnosis of breast cancer (ICD-10 code: C50) from the national health insurance claim database between 2010 and 2019. Patients who underwent mastectomy or lumpectomy only once were selected for the analysis. Patients who underwent axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) with mastectomy or lumpectomy on the day of surgery were included in the ALND group, whereas those who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) were included in the SLNB group. Prescription records of opioids before, after and on the date of breast cancer surgery were collected and categorized according to the opioid type. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was used to compare postoperative opioid prescriptions. The proportion of those undergoing ALND among 3,080 patients decreased consistently after 2014, while the proportion undergoing SLNB increased. Although the rate of pain medication prescription on the day of surgery was similar between the two groups, the rate of prescription of postoperative pain medication and anticancer agents was lower in the SLNB group than in the ALND group. Logistic regression modeling showed that the SLNB group had lower odds of receiving opioids than did the ALND group (Odds ratio (OR) = 0.727, Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.546-0.970). A consistent trend was observed when the model was adjusted for neoadjuvant chemotherapy and the use of preoperative pain medications (OR = 0.718, CI = 0.538-0.959). To manage postoperative pain and prevent chronic pain with minimal side effects, sufficient discussion among clinicians, patients, and other healthcare professionals is imperative, along with adequate treatment planning.

History and prospects for the use of morphine in clinical practice: literature review

The authors analyzed various studies on acute and chronic pain syndrome treatment. This review provides brief historical data on the discovery and use of morphine from ancient times to present. Morphine remains one of the most common painkillers worldwide and has a rich history dating back more than 200 years. Its basic properties, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and principles of use are discussed. No drug has had such an impact on society as morphine because of its medical use as a pain reliever and its illicit use as a drug of addiction and abuse. This review includes the main modern recommendations for the treatment of acute and chronic pain, particularly from the World Health Organization for the treatment of chronic pain and the Procedure-Specific Postoperative Pain Management (PROSPECT) group for the treatment of postoperative pain in various surgical interventions. The types of opioids and their clinical use are described, and the authors’ opinion on the current use of morphine for treating acute and chronic pain syndrome is presented.

Abstract 4817: Patterns and predictors of opioid dispensing among older cancer patients from 2008 to 2015

Abstract Introduction: Understanding factors associated with opioid dispensing in cancer patients is important for developing tailored guidelines and ensuring equitable access to pain management. We examined patterns and predictors of opioid dispensing among older cancer patients from 2008 to 2015. Methods: We analyzed data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database linked to Medicare claims. We included the most common cancer types among patients aged 66-95 years. Opioids dispensed within 30 days before and 120 days after cancer diagnosis were assessed. We used logistic regression models to examine trends, adjusted odds ratios (aORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for opioid dispensing, considering patient demographics, geography, cancer stage, comorbidities, and treatment options. Results: A total of 211,759 cancer patients aged 66-95 years were included in the study. Moreover, opioid dispensing increased from 16.4% within 30 days pre-diagnosis to 59.8% within 120 days post-diagnosis. Variations were observed across cancer types, with the largest increase among female breast cancer patients (74.9%, n=44,544). We observed significant increases over calendar time in opioid dispensing within120 days post-diagnosis in both women (p=0.02) and men (p=0.001). For all cancers combined, non-Hispanic Black men had a significantly lower likelihood of receiving opioids during the 120 days post-diagnosis (aOR=0.9, 95% CI=0.8-0.9) compared to non-Hispanic White men. Factors such as pre-diagnosis opioid dispensing, age, geography, cancer stage, comorbidities, and type of cancer treatment were associated with opioid dispensing during the 120 days post-diagnosis. Surgery had the strongest association, with men undergoing surgery being 4.4 times more likely to receive opioids within 120 days post-diagnosis (aOR=4.4, 95% CI=4.2-4.6), while women had an odds ratio of 2.7 (95% CI=2.6-2.8). Chemotherapy and radiotherapy were also positively associated with opioid dispensing, though the associations were less pronounced. Moreover, compared to urinary bladder cancer, patients with kidney cancer (women, aOR=1.6, 95% CI=1.5-1.8; men, aOR=1.7, 95% CI=1.5-1.8), lung cancer (women, aOR=1.4, 95% CI=1.3-1.5; men, aOR=1.5, 95% CI=1.4-1.6), and female breast cancer (aOR=1.8, 95% CI=1.6-1.9) were more likely to receive opioids within the 120 days post-diagnosis. Conclusion: This population-based study reveals significant variations in opioid dispensing among cancer patients over age 65 across cancer types and demographic and clinical factors. Further research is needed to address disparities and optimize opioid dispensing in older cancer patients, ensuring tailored guidelines and improving patient care. Citation Format: Yingxi Chen, Yei-Eun Shin, Susan Spillane, Meredith Shiels, Anna Coghill, Lindsey Enewold, Ruth Pfeiffer, Neal Freedman. Patterns and predictors of opioid dispensing among older cancer patients from 2008 to 2015 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 4817.

Opioids in Treatment of Refractory Dyspnea in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Yes, No or Maybe.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a complex condition with significant impact on prognosis, especially in advanced stages where symptom burden becomes critical. Breathlessness affects patients' quality of life, and despite various therapeutic strategies, the role of opioids in palliative care for COPD remains under investigation. The acceptance of a therapeutic trial of different types of opioids is increasing not only in end-of-life situations but also for stable COPD patients experiencing intolerable refractory breathlessness despite optimal conventional therapy. Recent clinical trials have raised questions about the overall clinical benefit of opioids in addressing breathlessness in COPD, prompting the need to clarify inconsistencies and identify specific subgroups that may benefit from opioid therapy. In the clinical setting, it is crucial to understand the attributes of patients who exhibit positive responses to opioids and what type of opioids could have a positive impact. This research paper aims to offer an update of the most recent evidence of opioid treatment in managing breathlessness among individuals with COPD with a head-to-head evaluation of the supporting and opposing proof in the medical literature.

INCIDENCE OF HYPOTENSION AND NAUSEA VOMITING IN SUBARACHNOID BLOCK ANESTHESIA TECHNIQUE IN CESAREAN SURGERY

Hypotension and nausea vomiting are common side effects in patients undergoing cesarean surgery with subarachnoid block anesthesia techniques. Cases of hypotension and nausea vomiting in this case are often found but research data in Indonesia, especially in Bali, is still very limited. Therefore, this research is important to do with the aim of knowing the incidence of hypotension and nausea vomiting in cesarean surgery with the subarachnoid block anesthesia technique at Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G Ngoerah General Hospital Denpasar. This study used a prospective cross-sectional observational descriptive method. The study data were taken from the presence or absence of hypotension and nausea vomiting during and after cesarean surgery from April 2022 – June 2022. The data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2013 software to obtain characteristics of patient demographic data in the form of maternal age and gestational age, patient distribution based on height of sensory blockade, type and dose of antiemetics, type and dose of opioids, bleeding, incidence of hypotension, and incidence of nausea vomiting. The results showed that the number of patients who experienced hypotension was 13 people (28.3%), and those who did not experience hypotension were 33 people (71.7%). A total of 30 people (65.2%) patients did not experience nausea vomiting, 8 people (17.4%) experienced nausea and 8 people (17.4%) experienced vomiting. By taking good precautions, it can reduce the side effects of hypotension and nausea vomiting.

Scheduled and Breakthrough Opioid Use for Cancer Pain in an Inpatient Setting at a Tertiary Cancer Hospital.

Background: Our aim was to examine the frequency and prescription pattern of breakthrough (BTO) and scheduled (SCH) opioids and their ratio (BTO/SCH ratio) of use, prior to and after referral to an inpatient supportive care consult (SCC) for cancer pain management (CPM). Methods and Materials: Patients admitted at the MD Anderson Cancer Center and referred to a SCC were retrospectively reviewed. Cancer patients receiving SCH and BTO opioids for ≥24 h were eligible for inclusion. Patient demographics and clinical characteristics, including the type and route of SCH and BTO opioids, daily opioid doses (MEDDs) of SCH and BTO, and BTO/SCH ratios were reviewed in patients seen prior to a SCC (pre-SCC) and during a SCC. A normal BTO ratio was defined as 0.5-0.2. Results: A total of 665/728 (91%) patients were evaluable. Median pain scores (p < 0.001), BTO MEDDs (p < 0.001), scheduled opioid MEDDs (p < 0.0001), and total MEDDs (p < 0.0001) were higher, but the median number of BTO doses was fewer (2 vs. 4, p < 0.001), among patients seen at SCC compared to pre-SCC. A BTO/SCH ratio over the recommended ratio (>0.2) was seen in 37.5% of patients. The BTO/SCH ratios in the pre-SCC and SCC groups were 0.10 (0.04, 0.21) and 0.17 (0.10, 0.30), respectively, p < 0.001. Hydromorphone and Morphine were the most common BTO and SCH opioids prescribed, respectively. Patients in the early supportive care group had higher pain scores and MEDDs. Conclusions: BTO/SCH ratios are frequently prescribed higher than the recommended dose. Daily pain scores, BTO MEDDs, scheduled opioid MEDDs, and total MEDDs were higher among the SCC group than the pre-SCC group, but the number of BTO doses/day was lower.