Premium
Long‐term opioid use in curative‐intent radiotherapy: One‐Year outcomes in head/neck cancer patients
Author(s) -
Schumacher LeifErik D.,
Sargi Zoukaa B.,
Masforroll Melissa,
Kwon Deukwoo,
Zhao Wei,
RuedaLara Maria A.,
Freedman Laura M.,
Elsayyad Nagy,
Samuels Stuart E.,
Abramowitz Matthew C.,
Samuels Michael A.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.26034
Subject(s) - medicine , opioid , incidence (geometry) , head and neck cancer , radiation therapy , medical record , retrospective cohort study , opioid use disorder , physics , optics , receptor
Background No study has determined the incidence of long‐term opioid use, or risk factors for long‐term use, ≥1 year after radiotherapy. Methods Medical records of 276 head/neck cancer patients were retrospectively assessed for persistent opioid use 1‐year after curative‐intent radiotherapy. Numerous potential risk factors were assessed and the physicians' documented reasons for continued use were qualitatively categorized as suspected opioid use disorder (OUD) or as medically indicated for control of ongoing pain. Results Of note, 20 of 276 patients continued using opioids long‐term. High maximum opioid dose and the use of opioids and/or psychotropics/non‐opioid analgesics at the radiation oncology intake visit were associated with this outcome. Three patients continued due to suspected OUD and 17 due to medical indications. Conclusion Of note, 7.2% of patients developed long‐term opioid use, which was associated with high maximum opioid dose and early initiation of opioids and/or psychotropics/non‐opioid analgesics. Physicians cited medical indications as the primary reason for continued use.