Characteristics of High-Cost Patients Diagnosed with Opioid Abuse.

Background: Prescription opioid abuse is associated with substantial economic burden, with estimates of incremental annual per-patient health care costs of diagnosed opioid abuse exceeding $10,000 in prior literature. A subset of patients diagnosed with opioid abuse has disproportionately high health care costs, but little is known about the characteristics of these patients. 

Objective: To describe the characteristics of a subset of patients diagnosed with opioid abuse with disproportionately high health care costs to assist physicians and managed care organizations in targeting interventions at the costliest patients.

Estimating the health care burden of prescription opioid abuse in five European countries.

Background: Opioid abuse, including abuse of prescription opioids ("RxOs") and illicit substances like heroin, is a serious public health issue in Europe. Currently, there is limited data on the magnitude of RxO abuse in Europe, despite increasing public and scientific interest in the issue. The purpose of this study was to use the best-available data to derive comparable estimates of the health care burden of RxO abuse in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom (EU5).

The Burden of Undiagnosed Opioid Abuse Among Commercially Insured Individuals.

Objectives: Estimate the prevalence and healthcare costs of undiagnosed opioid abuse among commercially insured individuals.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of de-identified pharmacy and medical claims data and publicly-available survey data (no IRB approval required).

Methods: This study focused on commercially insured individuals.

Sources of prescription opioids among diagnosed opioid abusers.

Objective: Diversion and abuse of prescription opioids are important public health concerns in the US. This study examined possible sources of prescription opioids among patients diagnosed with opioid abuse.

Methods: Commercially insured patients aged 12-64 diagnosed with opioid abuse/dependence ('abuse') were identified in OptumHealth Reporting and Insights medical and pharmacy claims data, 2006-2012, and required to have continuous eligibility over an 18 month study period surrounding the first abuse diagnosis.