10 predictors linked to opioid overdose in chronic pain patients
Global News
There are 10 predictors linked to a person's chance of overdosing on opioids after getting a prescription for chronic pain, according to a recent Canadian. study
There are 10 predictors linked to a person’s chance of overdosing on opioids after getting a prescription for chronic pain, according to a recent Canadian study.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) on Monday released a large study led by McMaster University that found the risk of fatal and non-fatal opioid overdose after prescription increased up to sixfold in cases involving predictors such as a high dose of medication, depression, or pancreatitis.
“The conversation really needs to be around opioid stewardship and responsible opioid prescribing because we can’t and we shouldn’t get rid of opioids,” explained Jennifer Jackson, a registered nurse and an assistant professor at the University of Calgary.
“We need them to treat people who are suffering. However, we also have to look at what other options we have and whether it’s the best choice,” she added.
“Chronic back pain is not a good use of opioids, but we also can’t throw the baby out with the bathwater… if you have surgery or if you have cancer, you need opioids. And so they are a tool, but we have to use that tool correctly,” she said.
Around 7.6 million people in Canada live with chronic pain, according to a 2021 report by the Canadian Pain Task Force.
Pain management for chronic pain relies heavily on prescription opioid treatment, such as codeine, fentanyl, morphine and oxycodone, and has contributed to the development of the opioid crisis in Canada. This is because the longer-term side effects of using opioids may include increased tolerance, substance use disorder or dependence, and overdose, according to Health Canada.
In order to identify factors associated with fatal and nonfatal overdose from prescription opioids, the researchers looked at data between 2007 and 2022 from 24 million patients in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. These patients had been prescribed opioids for non-cancer and cancer-related chronic pain.
