Effects of Pain, Insomnia, and Depression on Psychoactive Medication Supply in Older Adults With Osteoarthritis

Background: Determinants of prescribing psychoactive medications for symptom management in older adults remain underexamined despite known risks and cautions concerning these medications. Objective: To examine independent and combined effects of pain, concurrent insomnia and depression symptoms on psychoactive medications supplied to older adults with osteoarthritis (OA). Research Design: Survey data on pain, insomnia, and depression obtained from OA patients screened for a randomized controlled trial were used to identify predictors of psychoactive medication supply [opioids, sedatives, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and non-TCAs] over a 4-year period. Subjects: Group Health Cooperative patients with a diagnosis of OA (N=2976). Measures: Survey data on pain (Graded Chronic Pain Scale), insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index), and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-8); and medications supply assessed from electronic medical records. Results: In negative binomial models, pain [incidence rate ratio (IRR), 2.8–3.5; P
Source: Medical Care - Category: Health Management Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research