Trends in opioid use among older survivors of colorectal, lung, and breast cancers Journal Article


Authors: Salz, T.; Lavery, J. A.; Lipitz-Snyderman, A. N.; Boudreau, D. M.; Moryl, N.; Gillespie, E. F.; Korenstein, D.
Article Title: Trends in opioid use among older survivors of colorectal, lung, and breast cancers
Abstract: PURPOSE Cancer survivors may be at increased risk for opioid-related harms. Trends in opioid use over time since diagnosis are unknown. METHODS Using data from SEER and Medicare, we conducted multilevel logistic regression analyses to compare chronic opioid use (≥90 consecutive days) among opioid-näýve survivors of colorectal, lung, and breast cancers diagnosed from 2008 to 2013 and matched with noncancer controls. Among cases and controls with chronic use, we compared rates of high-dose opioid use (average $ 90 morphine milligram equivalents daily). RESULTS We included 46,789 survivors and 138,136 noncancer controls. In the first year after the index date (survivor's diagnosis date), chronic use among colorectal and lung cancer survivors exceeded chronic use among controls (colorectal cancer: odds ratio, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.22 to 1.47; lung cancer: odds ratio, 2.55; 95% CI, 2.34 to 2.77). Differences in chronic use between survivors and controls declined each year after the index date. Chronic use among breast cancer survivors was less than that of controls each year after the index date. Survivors with chronic use were more likely to have a high daily dose than controls with chronic use in the first 3 to 5 years. CONCLUSION Among three large populations of older cancer survivors, chronic opioid use varied by cancer. However, by 6 years after diagnosis, survivors were no longer more likely to be chronic users than controls. Strategies for appropriate pain management during and after cancer treatment should take into account the risks associated with chronic high-dose opioid use. © 2019 American Society of Clinical Oncology. All rights reserved.
Journal Title: Journal of Clinical Oncology
Volume: 37
Issue: 12
ISSN: 0732-183X
Publisher: American Society of Clinical Oncology  
Date Published: 2019-04-20
Start Page: 1001
End Page: 1011
Language: English
DOI: 10.1200/jco.18.00938
PUBMED: 30817249
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC6494264
DOI/URL:
Notes: Conference Paper -- Export Date: 3 June 2019 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Talya Salz
    68 Salz
  2. Natalie Moryl
    63 Moryl
  3. Erin Faye Gillespie
    149 Gillespie
  4. Jessica Ann Lavery
    79 Lavery