Discharge Pain Medications: Do They Affect 6-Month Patient-Reported Outcomes After Operative Treatment of CMC Arthritis?

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between discharge opioids after operative treatment of carpometacarpal (CMC) arthritis and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) over a 6-month episode of care.

Methods: A total of 172 patients met inclusion criteria for this study. Patient-reported outcomes including patient-reported wrist/hand evaluation (PRWHE), single assessment numeric evaluation, and PRO measurement information system (PROMIS) global-10 questionnaires were collected prospectively and stored in an electronic data capture system until review for the purpose of this study. Morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) were calculated using a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-published opioid conversion table.

Results: Of the 172 patients who met inclusion criteria for this study, 121 (70.4%) were female. The average patient age on the day of procedure was 63.6 ± 7.4 years. All patients received a prescription pain medication upon discharge with an average of 191.3 MMEs (range: 40.00-800.00 MMEs) prescribed per patient. Overall, there was no correlation between the amount of pain medication prescribed in MMEs and change in PROs between baseline, 6-weeks, 3-months, and 6-months (r < .14).

Discussion: Surgeons should feel confident limiting postoperative opioid prescription for patients after CMC arthroplasty without jeopardizing outcomes.