Trends in the Use of Gabapentinoids and Opioids in the Postoperative Period Among Older Adults
An erratum to this article was published (JAMA Netw Open, 3 Jul 2023 ↗)
Authors' conclusion
The findings of this cross-sectional study of Medicare beneficiaries suggest that new postoperative gabapentinoid prescribing increased without a subsequent downward trend in the proportion of patients receiving postoperative opioids and a near tripling of concurrent prescribing.
Study context
- Population
- Gabapentinoid-naive patients 66 years or older undergoing 1 of 14 common noncataract surgical procedures, US Medicare, 2013–2018
- Participants
- 494,922 patients
- Exposure
- 2014 vs 2018
- Outcome
- Rate of postoperative prescribing of gabapentinoids and opioids (prescription filled between 7 days before the procedure and 7 days after discharge from surgery)
Methodological details20% US Medicare sample, Data analyzed April 2022 to April 2023
- 20% US Medicare sample
- Data analyzed April 2022 to April 2023
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
New postoperative gabapentinoid prescribing (adjusted rate)
P < 0.001
- Patients receiving a new gabapentinoid prescription postoperatively, overall
- 18 095 (3.7%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | 2014 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Concomitant gabapentinoid and opioid prescribing | 1.6% (95% CI 1.5%–1.7%) | 4.1% (95% CI 4.0%–4.3%) |
- Concomitant gabapentinoid and opioid prescribing: P < .001
Postoperative opioid prescribing · same period as gabapentinoid trend
- Opioid prescribing increased in the same period
- 56% (95% CI, 55%-56%) to 59% (95% CI, 58%-60%)
- P < .001
Variation by procedure type
- Variation between procedure types; almost all procedures saw an increase in both gabapentinoid and opioid prescribing
Original publication
Trends in the Use of Gabapentinoids and Opioids in the Postoperative Period Among Older Adults. JAMA Netw Open. Published 1 June 2023. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →