Michael E. Held, Alex G. Otwell, Steven M. Cherney, Jeffery B. Stambough, Stephen M. Bowman, Simon C. Mears
{"title":"Prevalence and risk of chronic opioid use in orthopaedic polytrauma patients","authors":"Michael E. Held, Alex G. Otwell, Steven M. Cherney, Jeffery B. Stambough, Stephen M. Bowman, Simon C. Mears","doi":"10.1007/s00402-025-05864-2","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>Prolonged opioid usage has numerous side effects, contributing to poorer long-term outcomes. An unexplored area pertains to patient-specific factors that influence chronic opioid consumption in cases of multiple fractures. We aimed to assess the prevalence and identify risk factors for chronic opioid usage in orthopedic polytrauma patients.</p><h3>Materials and methods</h3><p>We retrospectively identified 167 patients who sustained multiple lower extremity fractures occurring at a level-one trauma between July 2017 and June 2020. Utilizing the state prescription monitoring database, we gathered opioid prescription data for 3 months before and one year following the surgical procedure.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>In total, 68 patients (41%) exhibited chronic opioid use after trauma. Of the 167 patients, 38 (22.7%) engaged in pre-admission opioid usage, of which 28 patients (73.7%) displayed chronic usage after discharge. Pre-admission opioid use (odds ratio 9.02, <i>P = < 0.001</i>) and an Injury Severity Score (ISS) greater than 15 (odds ratio 3.62, <i>P</i> = 0.007) increased the odds of chronic usage compared to those without these risk factors. The chronic use group had significantly more surgeries performed on average (mean 4 vs. 2.9; <i>P</i> = 0.015) and a higher frequency of open fractures (<i>P</i> = <i>0.017</i>). Polytrauma patients that obtained greater amounts of Morphine Milligram Equivalents (MMEs) before, during, and after admission, were statistically more likely to become chronic opioid users.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Chronic opioid use is common after polytrauma. Polytrauma patients with pre-admission opioid use, a higher ISS, and escalated opioid requirements during hospitalization should be closely monitored for long-term opioid use. Sustained endeavors to mitigate opioid consumption and enhance non-opioid approaches are essential in preventing long-term challenges secondary to chronic opioid usage in polytrauma patients.</p><h3>Level of evidence</h3><p>Prognostic Level 2 Retrospective Cohort.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8326,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery","volume":"145 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1000,"publicationDate":"2025-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00402-025-05864-2","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"ORTHOPEDICS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction
Prolonged opioid usage has numerous side effects, contributing to poorer long-term outcomes. An unexplored area pertains to patient-specific factors that influence chronic opioid consumption in cases of multiple fractures. We aimed to assess the prevalence and identify risk factors for chronic opioid usage in orthopedic polytrauma patients.
Materials and methods
We retrospectively identified 167 patients who sustained multiple lower extremity fractures occurring at a level-one trauma between July 2017 and June 2020. Utilizing the state prescription monitoring database, we gathered opioid prescription data for 3 months before and one year following the surgical procedure.
Results
In total, 68 patients (41%) exhibited chronic opioid use after trauma. Of the 167 patients, 38 (22.7%) engaged in pre-admission opioid usage, of which 28 patients (73.7%) displayed chronic usage after discharge. Pre-admission opioid use (odds ratio 9.02, P = < 0.001) and an Injury Severity Score (ISS) greater than 15 (odds ratio 3.62, P = 0.007) increased the odds of chronic usage compared to those without these risk factors. The chronic use group had significantly more surgeries performed on average (mean 4 vs. 2.9; P = 0.015) and a higher frequency of open fractures (P = 0.017). Polytrauma patients that obtained greater amounts of Morphine Milligram Equivalents (MMEs) before, during, and after admission, were statistically more likely to become chronic opioid users.
Conclusions
Chronic opioid use is common after polytrauma. Polytrauma patients with pre-admission opioid use, a higher ISS, and escalated opioid requirements during hospitalization should be closely monitored for long-term opioid use. Sustained endeavors to mitigate opioid consumption and enhance non-opioid approaches are essential in preventing long-term challenges secondary to chronic opioid usage in polytrauma patients.
期刊介绍：
"Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery" is a rich source of instruction and information for physicians in clinical practice and research in the extensive field of orthopaedics and traumatology. The journal publishes papers that deal with diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system from all fields and aspects of medicine. The journal is particularly interested in papers that satisfy the information needs of orthopaedic clinicians and practitioners. The journal places special emphasis on clinical relevance.
"Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery" is the official journal of the German Speaking Arthroscopy Association (AGA).
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