Prescription of Opioid Analgesics for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain in Germany despite Contraindications: Administrative Claims Data Analysis.

ABSTRACT: In Germany, long-term opioid treatment (L-TOT) for chronic non-tumor pain (CNTP) is discussed as not being performed according to the German guideline on L-TOT for CNTP. In the present analysis, the occurrence and predictors of inappropriate care/overuse in a cohort of German insureds with L-TOT for CNTP by the presence of a contraindication with concurrent opioid analgesic (OA) therapy were investigated. We also analyzed whether prescribing physicians themselves diagnosed a contraindication. The retrospective cohort study was based on administrative claims data from a German statutory health insurance. Eight contraindication groups were defined based on the German guideline. Logistic regressions were performed in order to identify predictors for OA prescriptions despite contraindications.

SUBMITTER: Niemann A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10888146 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature