Opioid Tapering and Opioid Overdose, Opioid Use Disorder, and Mortality Among Older Adults: A Nested Case-Control Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Opioid tapering has increased in recent years; however, evidence regarding its safety profile is lacking.

Objective

To examine the relationships between opioid tapering and subsequent overdose (OD), opioid use disorder (OUD), and all-cause mortality among older adults on long-term opioid therapy (LTOT).

Design

Nested case-control design.

Participants

A cohort of older (≥ 65 years) Medicare beneficiaries with chronic non-cancer pain who were on LTOT was identified from 2012-2020 5% national Medicare claims data.

Main measures

The key independent variable was rate of opioid tapering, operationalized as a monthly dose change percentage with four levels: steady dose (± 10% dose change), slow tapering (10-40% dose reduction), rapid tapering (> 40%

SUBMITTER: Yang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12463796 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature