Impact of expanded strong opioid availability on opioid prescription patterns in patients with cancer: A population-wide cohort study in Taiwan.

ABSTRACT: Background One of the major barriers to adequate cancer pain management in Taiwan is the limited prescription options regarding strong opioids. Internationally recommended strong opioids, including oxycodone and hydromorphone, were not introduced in Taiwan until late 2014. We analysed the patterns in opioid prescription for cancer pain management, after the introduction of new opioid options. Methods All inpatient and outpatient clinical visits from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2017, with the diagnosis of cancer and the analgesic prescriptions were collected from the database of National Health Insurance, Taiwan, and analysed. Opioids were grouped into strong opioids, weak opioids, and guideline non-recommended opioids. Findings A total of 1, 292, 905 patients with

SUBMITTER: Wu TC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8406032 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature