Pharmacoepidemiologic analyses of opioid use among OEF/OIF/OND veterans

Pain. 2017 Jun;158(6):1039-1045. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000874.

Abstract

There is a great deal of concern about opioid use in veterans, particularly those who served in Afghanistan (OEF) and Iraq (OIF and OND). The current study provides a detailed pharmacoepidemiologic analysis of opioid use among OEF/OIF/OND veterans from FY09 to FY12. Data from 3 data repositories from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) were used to describe demographic, clinical, and medication characteristics associated with opioid use among OEF/OIF/OND veterans and among those with TBI. Logistic regression models were used to identify risks associated with chronic opioid use in FY12. Approximately 23% of all OEF/OIF/OND veterans and 35% of those with TBI received any opioid medications. Most received moderate doses ranging from 26 to 30 mg morphine equivalent dose daily. Median days of opioid use for all OEF/OIF/OND veterans were 30 to 40 days. Factors associated with chronic use in both groups included young age, male sex, white race, being married, and living in rural areas. A diagnosis of PTSD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.22, P < 0.0001), major depressive disorder (OR = 1.14, P < 0.0001), and tobacco use disorder (OR = 1.18, P < 0.0001) were strongly associated with chronic opioid use. Back pain was also strongly associated with chronic use (OR = 2.50, P < 0.0001). As pain severity increased the odds of chronic opioid use also increased: mild pain (OR = 3.76, P < 0.0001), moderate pain (OR = 6.80, P < 0.0001), and severe pain (OR = 8.49, P < 0.0001). Opioid use among OEF/OIF/OND veterans is characterized by moderate doses that are used over relatively long periods of time by a minority of veterans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Afghan Campaign 2001-*
  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use*
  • Chronic Pain / epidemiology
  • Chronic Pain / prevention & control*
  • Comorbidity
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / epidemiology
  • Drug Utilization / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iraq War, 2003-2011*
  • Male
  • Pain Measurement / statistics & numerical data
  • Pharmacoepidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology
  • United States / epidemiology
  • United States Department of Veterans Affairs / statistics & numerical data*
  • Veterans / statistics & numerical data*

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid