Global Trends in Analgesic Opioid Use in Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors' conclusion
In this large multinational study, wide global variation in the prevalence of analgesic opioid use in pregnancy was observed, yet patterns of use by sociodemographic and pregnancy characteristics were relatively consistent. Analgesic opioid use remained stable or downward trending over time in most, but not all, countries.
Study context
- Population
- Pregnancies with birth in 2000 to 2020 in Oceania, North America, Northern Europe and East Asia
- Participants
- 20,306,228 pregnancies
- Outcome
- Prevalence of prescription analgesic opioid use (at least one dispensing or prescribing) during pregnancy before birth
Methodological detailsmultinational, population-based, common protocol
- Multinational
- Population-based
- Common protocol
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Pregnancies with at least one analgesic opioid dispensing or prescription
1,115,853
55 per 1,000
Lowest prevalence, UK
4 per 1,000
Highest prevalence, US publicly insured population
191 per 1,000
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Prevalence ratio (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Trends over time in prevalenceHong Kong 2020 vs Hong Kong 2005 · greatest relative decrease | 0.2 (0.1–0.2) | |
| Trends over time in prevalenceIceland 2017 vs Iceland 2004 · greatest increase | 4.4 (3.7–5.2) | |
| 0.10.31310Prevalence ratio (log scale) |
Most prevalent opioids
- Codeine and tramadol among the three most prevalent opioids in most populations
Prevalence with opioid use defined as ≥2 dispensing or prescribing events (sensitivity analysis)
- Prevalence across populations
- 17 per 1,000
- Sensitivity analysis
Original publication
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