Initiation of strong prescription opioids in Australia: cohort characteristics and factors associated with the type of opioid initiated.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

To describe the characteristics of Australians initiating strong opioids and examine the factors associated with the type of opioid initiated.

Methods

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme dispensing records were extracted for a 10% sample of people who initiated a strong opioid treatment episode (buprenorphine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone) between 29 September 2009 and 31 December 2013, as evidenced by the absence of a strong opioid dispensing for at least 90 days. The cohort was restricted to people with complete medicines ascertainment. Socio-demographic characteristics, previous dispensing histories and index opioid use were examined. Multinomial logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted relative risk ratios (aRRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (C

SUBMITTER: Gisev N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5137837 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature