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Contribution of psychiatric diagnoses to extent of opioid prescription in the first year post‐head and neck cancer diagnosis: A longitudinal study
Author(s) -
Henry Melissa,
Alias Ali,
Frenkiel Saul,
Richardson Keith,
Hier Michael,
Zeitouni Anthony,
Kost Karen,
Mlynarek Alex,
Black Martin,
MacDonald Christina,
Chartier Gabrielle,
Rosberger Zeev
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.4917
Subject(s) - medicine , medical diagnosis , anxiety , medical prescription , opioid , longitudinal study , head and neck cancer , psychiatry , generalized anxiety disorder , cancer , radiology , pathology , receptor , pharmacology
Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine, within the first‐year post–head and neck cancer (HNC) diagnosis, the contribution of past and upon HNC psychiatric diagnoses (ie, substance use disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder) to the extent (ie, cumulated dose) of opioid prescription. Methods Prospective longitudinal study of 223 consecutive adults (on 313 approached; 72% participation) newly diagnosed (<2 weeks) with a first occurrence of primary HNC, including Structured Clinical Interviews for DSM‐IV disorders, validated psychometric measures, and medical chart reviews. Opioid doses were translated into standardized morphine milligram equivalents (MME) using CDC guidelines. A model of variables was tested using multiple linear regression. Results Fifty‐five percent (123/223) of patients received opioids at some point during the first 12 months post–HNC diagnosis, 37.7% (84/223) upon HNC diagnosis (pre‐treatment), 40.8% (91/223) during treatments, and 31.4% (70/223) post‐treatment. The multiple linear regression indicated that an AD ( P = 0.04) upon HNC diagnosis in early stage contributes to cumulated MME dose in the first year post–HNC diagnosis. Conclusion This study underlines how anxiety has important repercussions on the management of pain and illustrates the importance of screening for AD upon HNC diagnosis to allow for early prophylactic treatment and support.