Opioid use among Medicare beneficiaries with knee osteoarthritis: prevalence and correlates of chronic use

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Losina ◽  
Shuang Song ◽  
Gordon P. Bensen ◽  
Jeffrey N. Katz
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 54-54
Author(s):  
Peter Treitler ◽  
Stephen Crystal ◽  
Richard Hermida ◽  
Jennifer Miles

Abstract High rates of opioid prescribing and comorbid medical conditions increase risk of overdose among older adults. As the US population ages and the rates of opioid use disorder (OUD) increase in the elderly population, there is a need to characterize trends and correlates of overdose in order to more effectively target policy and practice. Using a ~40% random sample of 2015-2017 Medicare beneficiaries ages 65 and older with Part D pharmacy coverage, this study examined medically treated opioid overdoses among US older adults. The sample included 13-14 million beneficiaries per year. The rate of medically treated opioid overdoses among elderly Medicare beneficiaries increased by 15% from 6 per 10,000 in 2015 to 6.9 per 10,000 in 2017. Those with overdose were disproportionately female (63%), non-Hispanic white (83%), with diagnoses of pain conditions (96%), with diagnoses of major depression (63%), and with high rates of conditions that decrease respiratory reserve such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 13% had co-occurring diagnosed alcohol use disorder, 36% were diagnosed with opioid dependence or abuse, and 12% were diagnosed with hepatitis C. Older individuals with overdose represent a complex mix of risk factors; identifying those most at risk (as well as those who have very low risk, whose pain management may be compromised by overly-rigid interpretation of opioid use guidelines) is key in order to address multiple risks, balancing risk reduction with appropriate pain management.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. S2
Author(s):  
W Lo-Ciganic ◽  
WF Gellad ◽  
L Zhou ◽  
JM Donohue ◽  
A Roubal ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salva N Balbale ◽  
Lishan Cao ◽  
Itishree Trivedi ◽  
Jonah J Stulberg ◽  
Katie J Suda ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Introduction Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and disorders affect an increasingly large group of veterans. Opioid use may be rising in this population, but this is concerning from a patient safety perspective, given the risk of dependence and lack of evidence supporting opioid use to manage chronic pain. We examined the characteristics of opioid prescriptions and factors associated with chronic opioid use among chronic GI patients dually enrolled in the DVA and Medicare Part D. Materials and Methods In this retrospective cohort study, we used linked, national patient-level data (from April 1, 2011, to December 31, 2014) from the VA and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to identify chronic GI patients and observe opioid use. Veterans who had a chronic GI symptom or disorder were dually enrolled in VA and Part D and received ≥1 opioid prescription dispensed through the VA, Part D, or both. Chronic GI symptoms and disorders included chronic abdominal pain, chronic pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel diseases, and functional GI disorders. Key outcome measures were outpatient opioid prescription dispensing overall and chronic opioid use, defined as ≥90 consecutive days of opioid receipt over 12 months. We described patient characteristics and opioid use measures using descriptive statistics. Using multiple logistic regression modeling, we generated adjusted odds ratios and 95% CIs to determine variables independently associated with chronic opioid use. The final model included variables outlined in the literature and our conceptual framework. Results We identified 141,805 veterans who had a chronic GI symptom or disorder, were dually enrolled in VA and Part D, and received ≥1 opioid prescription dispensed from the VA, Part D, or both. Twenty-six percent received opioids from the VA only, 69% received opioids from Medicare Part D only, and 5% were “dual users,” receiving opioids through both VA and Part D. Compared to veterans who received opioids from the VA or Part D only, dual users had a greater likelihood of potentially unsafe opioid use outcomes, including greater number of days on opioids, higher daily doses, and higher odds of chronic use. Conclusions Chronic GI patients in the VA may be frequent users of opioids and may have a unique set of risk factors for unsafe opioid use. Careful monitoring of opioid use among chronic GI patients may help to begin risk stratifying this group. and develop tailored approaches to minimize chronic use. The findings underscore potential nuances within the opioid epidemic and suggest that components of the VA’s Opioid Safety Initiative may need to be adapted around veterans at a higher risk of opioid-related adverse events.


PM&R ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. S14-S14
Author(s):  
Michael Hagen ◽  
Matthew N. Bartels ◽  
Se Won Lee ◽  
Jasal Patel ◽  
Vishal Chandel ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 1;24 (1;1) ◽  
pp. 31-40

BACKGROUND: Long-term opioid therapy was prescribed with increasing frequency over the past decade. However, factors surrounding long-term use of opioids in older adults remains poorly understood, probably because older people are not at the center stage of the national opioid crisis. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the annual utilization and trends in long-term opioid use among older adults in the United States. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Data from Medicare-enrolled older adults. METHODS: This study utilized a nationally representative sample of Medicare administrative claims data from the years 2012 to 2016 containing records of health care services for more than 2.3 million Medicare beneficiaries each year. Medicare beneficiaries who were 65 years of age or older and who were enrolled in Medicare Parts A, B, and D, but not Part C, for at least 10 months in a year were included in the study. We measured annual utilization and trends in new long-term opioid use episodes over 4 years (2013–2016). We examined claims records for the demographic characteristics of the eligible individuals and for the presence of chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP), cancer, and other comorbidities. RESULTS: From 2013 to 2016, administrative claims of approximately 2.3 million elderly Medicare beneficiaries were analyzed in each year with a majority of them being women (~56%) and white (~82%) with a mean age of approximately 75 years. The proportion of all eligible beneficiaries with at least one new opioid prescription increased from 6.64% in 2013, peaked at 10.32% in 2015, and then decreased to 8.14% in 2016. The proportion of individuals with long-term opioid use among those with a new opioid prescription was 12.40% in 2013 and 10.20% in 2016. Among new long-term opioid users, the proportion of beneficiaries with a cancer diagnosis during the study years increased from 13.30% in 2013 to 15.67% in 2016, and the proportion with CNCP decreased from 30.25% in 2013 to 27.36% in 2016. Across all years, long-term opioid use was consistently high in the Southern states followed by the Midwest region. LIMITATIONS: This study used Medicare fee-for-service administrative claims data to capture prescription fill patterns, which do not allow for the capture of individuals enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, cash prescriptions, or for the evaluation of appropriateness of prescribing, or the actual use of medication. This study only examined long-term use episodes among patients who were defined as opioid-naive. Finally, estimates captured for 2016 could only utilize data from 9 months of the year to capture 90-day long-term-use episodes. CONCLUSIONS: Using a national sample of elderly Medicare beneficiaries, we observed that from 2013 to 2016 the use of new prescription opioids increased from 2013 to 2014 and peaked in 2015. The use of new long-term prescription opioids peaked in 2014 and started to decrease from 2015 and 2016. Future research needs to evaluate the impact of the changes in new and long-term prescription opioid use on population health outcomes. KEY WORDS: Long-term, opioids, older adults, trends, Medicare, chronic non-cancer pain, cancer, cohort study


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Man-Huei Chang ◽  
Ramal Moonesinghe ◽  
Lyna Z. Schieber ◽  
Benedict I. Truman

Unsterile opioid injection increases risk for infection transmission, including HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), or hepatitis C virus (HCV). We assess prevalence of and risk factors associated with opioid overdose and infections with HIV, HBV, or HCV among Medicare beneficiaries with opioid-related fee-for-service claims during 2015. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis to estimate claims for opioid use and overdose and HIV, HBV, or HCV infections, using data from US Medicare fee-for-service claims. Beneficiaries with opioid-related claims had increased odds for HIV (2.3; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.3–2.4), acute HBV (6.7; 95% CI, 6.3–7.1), chronic HBV (5.0; 95% CI, 4.7–5.4), acute HCV (9.6; 95% CI, 9.2–10.0), and chronic HCV (8.9; 95% CI, 8.7–9.1). Beneficiaries with opioid-related claims and for HIV, HBV, or HCV infection, respectively, had a 1.1–1.9-fold odds for having a claim for opioid overdose. Independent risk factors for opioid overdose and each selected infection outcome included age, sex, race/ethnicity, region, and residence in a high-vulnerability county. Having opioid-related claims and selected demographic attributes were independent, significant risk factors for having HIV, HBV, or HCV claims among US Medicare beneficiaries. These results might help guide interventions intended to reduce incidences of HIV, HCV, and HBV infections among beneficiaries with opioid-related claims.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e000483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tham Thi Le ◽  
Siyeon Park ◽  
Michelle Choi ◽  
Marniker Wijesinha ◽  
Bilal Khokhar ◽  
...  

BackgroundOpioids and sedatives are commonly prescribed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients for symptoms of dyspnoea, pain, insomnia, depression and anxiety. Older adults are advised to avoid these medications due to increased adverse events, including respiratory events. This study examines respiratory event risks associated with concomitant opioid and sedative use compared with opioid use alone in older adults with COPD.MethodsA 5% nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries with COPD and opioid use between 2009 and 2013 was used for this retrospective cohort study. Current and past concomitant use were identified using drug dispensed within 7 days from the censored date: at respiratory event, at death, or at 12 months post index. Concomitant opioid and sedative use were categorised into no overlap (opioid only), 1 to 10, 11 to 30, 31 to 60 and >60 days of total overlap. The primary outcome was hospitalisation or emergency department (ED) visits for respiratory events (COPD exacerbations or respiratory depression). Propensity score matching was implemented and semi-competing risk models were used to address competing risk by death.ResultsAmong 48 120 eligible beneficiaries, 1810 (16.7%) concomitant users were matched with 9050 (83.3%) opioid only users. Current concomitant use of 1 to 10, 11 to 30 and 31 to 60 days was associated with increased respiratory events (HRs (95% CI): 2.8 (1.2 to 7.3), 9.3 (4.9 to 18.2) and 5.7 (2.5 to 12.5), respectively), compared with opioid only use. Current concomitant use of >60 days or past concomitant use of ≤60 days was not significantly associated with respiratory events. Consistent findings were found in sensitivity analyses, including in subgroup analysis of non-benzodiazepine sedatives. Additionally, current concomitant use significantly increased risk of death.ConclusionShort-term and medium-term current concomitant opioid and sedative use significantly increased risk of respiratory events and death in older COPD Medicare beneficiaries. Long-term past concomitant users, however, demonstrated lower risks of these outcomes, possibly reflecting a healthy user effect or developed tolerance to the effects of these agents.


Medical Care ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 852-859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy E. Morden ◽  
Jeffrey C. Munson ◽  
Carrie H. Colla ◽  
Jonathan S. Skinner ◽  
Julie P.W. Bynum ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bheeshma Ravi ◽  
Daniel Pincus ◽  
Ruth Croxford ◽  
Timothy Leroux ◽  
Michael Paterson ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Preoperative opioid use has been shown to increase the risk for complications following total joint arthroplasty (TJA); however, these studies have not always accounted for differences in co-morbidities and socio-demographics between patients that use opioids and those that do not. They have also not accounted for the variation in degree of pre-operative use. The objective of this study was to determine if preoperative opioid use is associated with risk for surgical complications after TJA, and if this association varied by degree of use. Methods Population-based retrospective cohort study. Older adult patients undergoing primary TJA of the hip, knee and shoulder for osteoarthritis between 2002 and 2015 in Ontario, Canada were identified. Using accepted definitions, patients were stratified into three groups according to their preoperative opioid use: no use, intermittent use and chronic use. The primary outcome was the occurrence of a composite surgical complication (surgical site infection, dislocation, revision arthroplasty) or death within a year of surgery. Intermittent and chronic users were matched separately to non-users in a 1:1 ratio, matching on TJA type plus a propensity score incorporating patient and provider factors. Results Overall, 108,067 patients were included in the study; 10% (N=10,441) used opioids on a chronic basis before surgery and 35% (N=37,668) used them intermittently. After matching, neither intermittent nor chronic pre-operative opioid use were associated with an increased risk for complications after TJA. Conclusions Overall, less than half of patients undergoing TJA used opioids in the year preceding surgery; the majority used them only intermittently. Pre-operative opioid use is not associated with an increased risk for complications after TJA.


Author(s):  
Andrew W Roberts ◽  
Samantha Eiffert ◽  
Elizabeth M Wulff-Burchfield ◽  
Stacie B Dusetzina ◽  
Devon K Check

Abstract Background Despite high rates of opioid therapy, evidence about the risk of preventable opioid harms among cancer survivors is underdeveloped. Our objective was to estimate the odds of opioid use disorder (OUD) and overdose following breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer diagnosis among Medicare beneficiaries. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using 2007-2014 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare data for cancer survivors with a first cancer diagnosis of stage 0-III breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer at age 66-89 years between 2008 and 2013. Cancer survivors were matched to up to 2 noncancer controls on age, sex, and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results region. Using Firth logistic regression, we estimated adjusted 1-year odds of OUD or nonfatal opioid overdose associated with a cancer diagnosis. We also estimated adjusted odds of OUD and overdose separately and by cancer stage, prior opioid use, and follow-up time. Results Among 69 889 cancer survivors and 125 007 controls, the unadjusted rates of OUD or nonfatal overdose were 25.2, 27.1, 38.9, and 12.4 events per 10 000 patients in the noncancer, breast, colorectal, and prostate samples, respectively. There was no association between cancer and OUD. Colorectal survivors had 2.3 times higher odds of opioid overdose compared with matched controls (adjusted odds ratio = 2.33, 95% confidence interval  = 1.49 to 3.67). Additionally, overdose risk was greater in those with more advanced disease, no prior opioid use, and preexisting mental health conditions. Conclusions Opioid overdose was a rare, but statistically significant, outcome following stage II-III colorectal cancer diagnosis, particularly among previously opioid-naïve patients. These patients may require heightened screening and intervention to prevent inadvertent adverse opioid harms.


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