Post-surgical opioid prescribing patterns and risk factors for additional opioid prescriptions within one year after non-emergent colorectal surgery

Jenna K. Lovely, Lyen C. Huang, Abigail J. Meyers, Grant M. Spears, Marianne Huebner, David W. Larson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: National opioid concerns resulted in review of prescribing patterns following colorectal surgery. Methods: This retrospective cohort study examined prescribing patterns in elective colorectal surgery at a tertiary academic medical center from January 2012 through December 2014. Results: Forty percent of 4286 patients received additional opioid prescriptions within the year following colorectal surgery. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that a pre-operative opioid prescriptions within 1 year of surgery (OR 2.91; 95% CI, 1.83–4.60), increasing operative time (OR 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00–1.04), or complications (OR 2.18; 95% CI, 1.38–3.43) was associated with additional opioid prescriptions. The median opioid prescription upon discharge was 225 mg morphine milligram equivalents. Discharge opioid amount was not a risk factor. Conclusions: Additional opioid prescriptions after surgery occurred in 40% of patients. Pre-operative prescriptions, increasing operative time and complications were associated with additional opioid prescriptions while opioid amount at discharge was not a risk factor.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)56-61
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican journal of surgery
Volume218
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2019

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Post-surgical opioid prescribing patterns and risk factors for additional opioid prescriptions within one year after non-emergent colorectal surgery'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this