Health Care Costs and Opioid Use Associated With High-impact Chronic Spinal Pain in the United States.

ABSTRACT:

Study design

A descriptive analysis of secondary data.

Objective

The aim of this study was to estimate health care costs and opioid use for those with high-impact chronic spinal (back and neck) pain.

Summary of background data

The US National Pain Strategy introduced a focus on high-impact chronic pain-that is, chronic pain associated with work, social, and self-care restrictions. Chronic neck and low-back pain are common, costly, and associated with long-term opioid use. Although chronic pain is not homogenous, most estimates of its costs are averages that ignore severity (impact).

Methods

We used 2003 to 2015 Medical Expenditures Panel Survey (MEPS) data to identify individuals with chronic spinal pain, their health care expenditures, and use of opioids. We d

SUBMITTER: Herman PM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6758926 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature