Incidence and Prevalence of Pain Medication Prescriptions in Pathologies with a Potential for Chronic Pain
Authors' conclusion
During the last 11 yr, an increase in incidence of NSAIDs and acetaminophen, opioids, neuropathic agents, and muscle relaxants was observed. Only prescriptions of benzodiazepines significantly decreased over time in specific cohorts. Overall, patients with PSPS type 2 and complex regional pain syndrome (both types) consume a broad variety of pain medication classes.
Study context
- Population
- Patients in 10 cohorts with common pathologies with a potential for chronic pain, 2012–2022
- Participants
- 9,357,584 patients · 10 cohorts
- Outcome
- Annual incidence and prevalence of pain medication prescriptions (NSAIDs and acetaminophen, opioids, gabapentinoids, neuropathic mood agents, muscle relaxants)
- Follow-up
- 2012 to 2022
Methodological detailselectronic health records, TriNetX Global Collaborative Network
- Electronic health records
- TriNetX Global Collaborative Network
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Time trends in pain medication prescriptions, 2012–2022
- Significant increase in NSAID prescriptions, except fibromyalgia and persistent spinal pain syndrome (PSPS) type 2
- Opioid prescriptions increased in complex regional pain syndrome, endometriosis, osteoarthritis and PSPS type 2
- Muscle relaxant prescriptions increased in all cohorts except fibromyalgia
- High incidence of neuropathic mood agent prescriptions in complex regional pain syndrome (both types) and PSPS type 2
- Benzodiazepines only class with decline; significantly decreased time trend in complex regional pain syndrome type 1, fibromyalgia and PSPS type 2
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Incidence and Prevalence of Pain Medication Prescriptions in Pathologies with a Potential for Chronic Pain. Anesthesiology. Published 8 December 2023. doi:10.
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