Characteristics associated with transition from opioid initiation to chronic opioid use among opioid-na ïve older adults

Our primary objective was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of opioid-na ïve older adults who initiated opioids and transitioned to chronic use. Study populations included older adults ≥ 65 years with continuous medical and drug plan enrollment one-year prior to opioid initiation (pre-period) through one-year after initiation (post-period). Characteristics were de termined using multivariate logistic regression. Among eligible insureds (N = 180,498), 70% used only the initial opioid prescription; 30% continued to use opioids requiring ≥ 2 prescriptions with ≥ 15 days’ supply.

Source: Geriatric Nursing - November 3, 2018 Category: Nursing Authors: Shirley Musich, Shaohung S. Wang, Luke Slindee, Sandra Kraemer, Charlotte S. Yeh Source Type: research