Characterization of opioid use in sickle cell disease.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Opioid analgesics are commonly used to treat vaso-occlusive pain episodes in sickle cell disease (SCD), but comprehensive evidence characterizing opioid use in this patient population is limited. Our objective was to characterize opioid use patterns among SCD patients using a large nationwide database.

Methods

A large, US medical claims database was utilized to identify a cohort of 3882 SCD patients, and characteristics of opioid use were analyzed. Clinical variables including age, gender, medication use, health care utilization, and medical history were evaluated for correlations with opioid use.

Results

Forty percent of patients took opioid medications during a 12-month span, and the prevalence of any opioid use was highest for 20 to 29-year-old patients (58

SUBMITTER: Han J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5815963 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature