Study reveals who's most at risk for long-term opioid use after surgery

A new study led by Penn Nursing researchers has uncovered key risk factors linked to long-term opioid use after surgery. The findings come from a detailed review and meta-analysis of existing research on the topic.

The team aimed to pinpoint which patients are most likely to continue using opioids beyond the expected recovery period.

The researchers examined data from 27 studies focused on new persistent opioid use following surgical procedures. They calculated 'pooled odds ratios' to measure how strongly each factor influenced the likelihood of prolonged opioid dependence.

Four major risk factors emerged from the analysis. Patients enrolled in Medicaid faced higher odds of long-term opioid use. Those who took benzodiazepines before surgery were also at greater risk. Additionally, individuals with a history of mood disorders or anxiety showed a stronger likelihood of continued opioid use after their operations.

The study did not specify the total number of patients included across the 27 reviewed studies. However, the findings provide clear indicators for clinicians to assess risk before prescribing postoperative opioids.

The results highlight specific patient characteristics that increase the chance of prolonged opioid use after surgery. Healthcare providers can now use these factors to identify high-risk individuals early. This may help in tailoring pain management strategies to reduce dependency risks.