Fatal drug overdoses in individuals treated pharmacologically for chronic pain: a nationwide register-based study
Authors' conclusion
This study shows the need for better identification of overdose and suicide risk in individuals treated for chronic pain.
Study context
- Population
- Individuals who received analgesics reimbursed for chronic pain in Norway, 2010–9nationwide registries
- Participants
- 569,047 individuals
- Comparison
- Fatal drug overdose cases vs matched controls
- Casesn = 623
- Controlsn = 62,245reference
- Outcome
- Fatal drug overdose and associated factors
Methodological detailsnationwide register-based, age- and sex-matched controls
- Nationwide register-based
- Age- and sex-matched controls
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Fatal drug overdose and associated factors (nested case-control)
Cases vs ControlsAdjusted odds ratio (95% CI)
Substance use disorders
7.78(6.20–9.77)
Use of combinations of opioids, benzodiazepines and related drugs and gabapentinoids
4.60(3.62–5.85)
Previous poisoning with pharmaceuticals
2.78(2.20–3.51)
Living alone the last year of life
2.11(1.75–2.54)
- Died of an overdose in the study population
- 623 (0.11%)
- Overdosed accidentally
- 66.8%
- Overdose due to pharmaceutically available opioids
- 61.9%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
- Intentional overdoses more strongly associated with previous poisonings with pharmaceuticals; accidental overdoses strongly associated with substance use disorders
Original publication
Fatal drug overdoses in individuals treated pharmacologically for chronic pain: a nationwide register-based study. Br J Anaesth. Published 11 November 2023. doi:10.
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