The study examined 8,377 patients who underwent lumbar spinal fusions from January 2009 to December 2012 logged in a national insurance company’s database. The study authors reported duration of opioid use before surgery was a predictor of long term opioid use:
● One to 22 days of opioid use: 2.27 odds ratio
● 23 to 72 days of opioid use: 5.94 odds ratio
● 73 to 250 days of opioid use: 25.31 odds ratio
● More than 250 days of opioid use: 219.95 odds ratio
Patients with diagnosed depression had a 1.43 odds ratio of long-term opioid use while patients who underwent re-fusion surgery had a 1.32 odds ratio of long-term opioid use.
Anterior fusion patients had a moderately lower risk of long-term opioid use, at 0.79 odds ratio.
More articles on spine surgery:
91.6% of spine surgeons have financial ties to industry: 5 things to know
Dr. Todd Albert is new Scoliosis Research Society president: 7 highlights
Spine biologics market to make it big in the near future
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.