A Predictive Model for Developing Long-Term Opioid Use After Neurosurgery and Orthopedic Surgery-Article Predictive Model for Developing Long Term Opioid Use

Article Predictive Model for Developing Long Term Opioid Use

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A recent study aimed to identify patient characteristics that predict long-term opioid use after orthopedic or neurosurgery procedures. The study included 12,301 orthopedic and neurosurgery patients and analyzed factors such as age, sex, race, body mass index, surgical procedure specialty, presence of opioid use before and after surgery, and opioid use 90 days or more after surgery. The study found that 32.0% of patients had prescriptions for opioids 90 or more days after surgery. Statistically significant risk factors for long-term opioid use were being Caucasian, younger or older than age 45, and being obese. On the other hand, patients who were African American or Black, in the 25-45 year age group, underweight, and used opioids before surgery were less likely to use opioids 90 days after surgery. The study highlights the importance of nurse anesthetist awareness of predictive characteristics of long-term opioid use to prevent opioid abuse. The authors recommend implementing alternative options for pain management and individualized interventions based on patient characteristics to reduce long-term opioid use.<br /><br />Pain affects a large number of individuals and is the most common reason for seeking healthcare in the US. The opioid epidemic in the US continues to be a major public health issue, with millions of Americans dependent on prescription pain pills and street drugs. Post-surgical pain is often treated with opioids, but these medications have poor outcomes for chronic pain and can lead to abuse and addiction. This study focused on neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery patients, who are at risk for long-term opioid use. The study identified several patient characteristics that are associated with long-term opioid use, such as age, race, and body mass index. The findings of the study can help inform nurse anesthetists and surgeons about the risks and potential alternative therapies for pain management. The study underscores the need for personalized approaches to pain management and the importance of considering patient characteristics when prescribing opioids.

Keywords

long-term opioid use

orthopedic surgery

neurosurgery

patient characteristics

age

race

body mass index

opioid abuse

pain management

alternative therapies