Predictors of Long-term Opioid Use in Active Duty Military: Psychotropics, Procedures, Pain
Abstract
Background: Dramatic increases in the amount of opioids prescribed for chronic non-cancer pain, particularly low back pain, exist among those served by the military health care system. The combination of opioids and benzodiazepines poses numerous safety risks for the patient including respiratory suppression, oversediation, and overdose. In a large national sample of veterans, risk of fatal overdoses increased when opioids and benzodiazepines were concurrently prescribed. Despite the justified concerns regarding the abuse liability and the long-term safety and efficacy of opioids for chronic pain, they continue to be commonly prescribed with benzodiazepines. For example, one study report that 18-38 percent of patients with an opioid prescription received a benzodiazepine. These high-risk prescribing patterns have contributed to the fatal overdose epidemic. There is scant evidence regarding opioid and benzodiazepine prescribing practices among active duty service members with low back pain. It is important to understand factors associated with benzodiazepine use in this population to identify those most vulnerable to safety issues. To this end, we investigated factors associate with concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine prescribing among active duty service members with nonmalignant low back pain who started their first opioid episode in 2012 or 2013.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 16, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1038299
Entities
People
- Jennifer Potter
- Joseph K Maddry
- Mary Jo V Pugh
- Vikhyat S Bebarta
- William Kazanis
Organizations
- 59th Medical Wing