Citation

Barnett ML, Olenski AR, Jena AB. New Engl. J. Med. 2017; 376(7): 663-673.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Massachusetts Medical Society)

DOI

10.1056/NEJMsa1610524

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Rates of opioid prescribing and opioid-related overdose deaths have quadrupled in the United States over the past three decades.1-3 This epidemic has increasingly affected the elderly Medicare population, among whom rates of hospitalization for opioid overdoses quintupled from 1993 through 2012.4-6 The risks of opioid use are particularly pronounced among the elderly, who are vulnerable to their sedating side effects, even at therapeutic doses.7 Multiple studies have shown increased rates of falls, fractures, and death from any cause associated with opioid use in this population.8-11 Even short-term opioid use may confer a predisposition to these side effects. . .

Language: en