141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

284645
Association of prescribed opioid analgesics, benzodiazepines, and antidepressants with duration of hospitalization: A national cohort study

Tuesday, November 5, 2013 : 12:45 PM - 1:00 PM

Barbara Turner, MD, MSED, MACP , ReACH Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
Yuanyuan Liang, PhD , Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
Christopher Louden, MS , Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
Benjamin Ehler, MS , Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
KoKo Aung, MD, MPH , Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
Treatment of chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) with opioid analgesics (OAs) has burgeoned along with concomitant prescribing of benzodiazepines (benzos) and antidepressants (antideps). It is unknown if these drugs are associated with duration of hospitalization for any cause. For this analysis, we identified persons filling ≥2 prescriptions (Rxes) for non-injectable Schedule II or III OAs for CNCP from enrollees aged 18 to 64 in Aetna's national HMO (2.1 million) from 1/2009 to 7/2012. Of 279,049 such persons aged 18-64 and enrolled ≥1 year, we excluded 57,986 persons with: cancer diagnosis (not basal cell) within 6 months of an OA Rx, OAs for opioid dependence, or incomplete diagnostic or demographic data. Claims and enrollment data files offer: demographics, all encounters, ICD-9-CM codes, and filled Rxes. From ICD-9 codes, we created indicators for 5 categories of CNCP, depression, and anxiety disorder. In each 6-month interval after each patient's first OA Rx until last enrollment or July 2012, we categorized OA risk from the dose and duration of all prescribed OAs: NO risk (0 days), LOW risk (1-59d at <40 morphine equivalent daily dose in mg [MED)], MEDIUM risk (1-59d at 40-100 MED or ≥60d at <40 MED), HIGH risk (>100 MED or ≥60d at 40-100 MED). We calculated duration of benzo Rxes (0d, 1-30d, 31-90d, and 91-180d) and antidep Rxes (0d, 1-60d, and 61-180d) in these 6-month intervals. Using repeated measures Poisson regression, we examined the association of inpatient days per person per 6-months with OA risk and interactions with benzos and antideps adjusting for demographics, health care, and clinical variables. Our cohort totaled 221,063 with median age 45 (IQR=35-54), 57% female, and U.S residence in South (47%), West (18%), Midwest (6%) and Northeast (29%). Of 881,555 six-month intervals, 6% were hospitalized for median of 3 days (IQR=2-6). After adjustment, inpatient days rose significantly (p<0.001) with OA risk vs. NO risk (HIGH: incident rate ratio [IRR] [95% CI]=3.27[2.91,3.67], MEDIUM: IRR=2.19[1.93,2.49], LOW: IRR=1.38[1.17,1.64]). OA risk interacted significantly with benzos and antideps, respectively (p<0.001). Compared with NO OA risk + no benzos, HIGH OA Risk + benzos for 1-30d had over a 5-fold increase in length of stay (LOS) (IRR=5.48[4.82,6.23]). Compared with NO OA risk + no antideps, HIGH OA risk + antideps for 1-60d had a nearly 5-fold increase in LOS (IRR=4.53[3.86,5.31]). In persons with CNCP, higher risk OAs along with short-term use of benzos or antideps was associated with more inpatient days.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Analyze the association of opioid analgesics and other psychoactive medications with duration of hospitalization in persons with chronic non-cancer pain

Keywords: Prescription Drug Use Patterns, Health Care Delivery

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a practicing general internist and health services researcher who has served as PI of multiple federal, foundation and industry-funded projects resulting in over 140 peer-reviewed publications. Much of my research has used large databases to evaluate quality of care and disparities for illicit drug users and persons prescribed opioids for chronic non-cancer pain. In regard to opioid prescribing, my group has identified serious deficiencies in quality of monitoring and racial-ethnic disparities in care.
Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
Aetna Database Research Professional with no compensation

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.