Canada-based University of Toronto researchers examined the opioid use of patients with knee, hip or spine osteoarthritis.
The study included 1,204 pre-surgical osteoarthritis patients (577 knee, 459 hip and 168 spine). Researchers asked patients about their opioid as well as other medication usage for pain control. Researchers also looked for relationships between opioid use and socio-demographic and health status characteristics.
Here are five takeaways:
1. Fifteen percent of overall patients reported they "sometimes" used opioids.
2. Spine patients reported the highest opioid use at 40 percent.
3. Twenty-eight percent of knee patients and 30 percent of hip patients reported opioid use.
4. Females under 65 years old had the greatest overall opioid use. The researchers reported this statistic was particularly reflective of spine patients.
5. The study revealed a greater associated between opioid use and:
• Spine osteoarthritis
• Younger patient age
• Obesity
• Fibromyalgia
• Heightened depressive symptoms
• Stronger pain
• Use of other prescription pain medicine