The prevalence and predictors of discharge opioid overprescribing in opioid-naïve patients after breast, gynecologic, and head and neck cancer surgery: a prospective cohort study
Authors' conclusion
Our study shows that the majority of recruited patients undergoing breast, gynecologic, or head and neck cancer surgery were overprescribed opioids.
Study context
- Population
- Opioid-naïve patients after breast, gynecologic, or head and neck cancer surgery at a single cancer referral hospital107 analysed
- Participants
- 119 patients
- Outcome
- Prevalence of overprescribing (patients taking <50% of discharge opioids within the first 7 days after discharge)
- Follow-up
- 7 days after discharge
Methodological detailssingle-centre, convenience sampling
- Single-centre
- Convenience sampling
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Overprescribed with opioids
Patients overprescribed with opioids
59 of 107
55%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
Predictors of overprescribing (multivariable Poisson regression)
| RR (95% CI) | P value | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Patients prescribed with opioids without 24-hr opioid useIncidence 2.4 times greater | 2.38 (1.30–4.35) | P = 0.005 | |
| Patients who had opioids 24 hr before discharge and were supplied with opioids for five equivalent days or moreIncidence 1.7 times greater | 1.67 (1.09–2.56) | P = 0.02 | |
| 0.20.5125Relative risk (log scale) |
- Overprescribed patients at discharge: lower mean NRS pain scores, lower mean pain severity scores, higher equivalent days of opioids prescribed, and no opioids in the last 24 hr before discharge
Original publication
The prevalence and predictors of discharge opioid overprescribing in opioid-naïve patients after breast, gynecologic, and head and neck cancer surgery: a prospective cohort study. Can J Anaesth. Published 12 August 2024. doi:10.
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