Citation

Fulton-Kehoe D, Garg RK, Turner JA, Bauer AM, Sullivan MD, Wickizer TM, Franklin GM. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2013; 56(12): 1452-1462.

Affiliation

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, Washington.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/ajim.22266

PMID

24122929

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine trends in opioid poisonings and adverse effects in Washington (WA) State and nationally.

METHODS: We calculated rates of opioid poisonings and adverse effects and examined opioid prescriptions in the WA workers' compensation system, 2004-2010. Using Health Care Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) data, we also calculated national rates of opioid poisonings and adverse effects, 1993-2010.

RESULTS: We identified 96 opioid poisonings and 312 opioid-related adverse effects in WA, 2004-2010. The rates did not change substantially over these years. Most poisonings and adverse effects occurred in cases without chronic opioid use and with prescribed doses <120 mg/day morphine-equivalent dose. Nationally, the rates of opioid poisonings and adverse effects increased significantly from 1993 to 2010.

CONCLUSIONS: Many poisonings and adverse effects occurred in patients without high dose or long-term opioid therapy, suggesting that opioid dosing and duration guidelines may not be sufficient to reduce morbidity related to prescription opioid use. Am. J. Ind. Med. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Language: en