Opioid tapering after surgery and its association with patient-reported outcomes and behavioral changes: a mixed-methods analysis
Authors' conclusion
Partial and complete opioid tapering within 90 days after surgery among patients with chronic opioid use was associated with improved patient-reported measures of pain control as well as behaviors that impact a patient's quality of life.
Study context
- Population
- VA patients with chronic opioid use undergoing orthopedic, vascular, thoracic, urology, otolaryngology or general surgery, 2018–202010 interviewed per group
- Participants
- 211 patients
- Comparison
- Complete vs partial vs no opioid taper by 90 days after surgery
- Complete tapern = 42
- Partial tapern = 48
- No tapern = 121reference
- Outcome
- Patient-reported pain intensity, interference and catastrophizing (change from baseline)
- Follow-up
- 90 days
Methodological detailssingle-centre (VA Medical Center), qualitative interviews
- Single-centre (VA Medical Center)
- Qualitative interviews
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Change from baseline in pain scores
- Pain interference: Partial taper −7.2, Complete taper −9.8 vs No taper −3.5 (p<0.05)
- Pain catastrophizing: Partial taper −21.4, Complete taper −16.5 vs No taper −1.7 (p<0.05)
- Pain intensity similar between groups
- Kruskal Wallis tests
Further findings
History of opioid use disorder
Median
| Outcome | Complete taper | Partial taper | No taper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discharge morphine equivalent daily dose | 30 | 52 | 60 |
- History of opioid use disorder: p<0.05
- Discharge morphine equivalent daily dose: p<0.05
Qualitative interviews: behaviours affecting quality of life
- Complete and partial taper more likely to report improvements in activity, mood, thinking and sleep vs failed taper
Original publication
Opioid tapering after surgery and its association with patient-reported outcomes and behavioral changes: a mixed-methods analysis. Reg Anesth Pain Med. Published 21 October 2023. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →