Associations between psychosocial factors and long-term opioid use among injured workers receiving early opioids.

Background: Long-term opioid use is related to numerous harms and has uncertain efficacy for chronic, non-cancer pain. Identification of individuals at risk for long-term opioid use can help support treatment decisions. The aim of this study was to determine psychosocial factors associated with opioid use 6 months after a work-related injury.

Changes in early high-risk opioid prescribing practices after policy interventions in Washington State.

Objective: To test associations between several opioid prescribing policy interventions and changes in early (acute/subacute) high-risk opioid prescribing practices.

Data Sources: Population-based workers' compensation pharmacy billing and claims data, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (January 2008-June 2015).

Study Design: We used interrupted time series analysis to test associations between three policy intervention timepoints and monthly proportions of population-based measures of high-risk, low-risk, and any workers' compensation-related opioid prescribing.

Early High-Risk Opioid Prescribing Practices and Long-Term Disability Among Injured Workers in Washington State, 2002 to 2013.

Objective: To estimate associations between early high-risk opioid prescribing practices and long-term work-related disability.

Methods: Washington State Fund injured workers with at least one opioid prescription filled within 6 weeks after injury (2002 to 2013) were included (N = 83,150). Associations between early high-risk opioid prescribing (longer duration, higher dosage, concurrent sedatives), and time lost from work, total permanent disability, and a surrogate measure for Social Security disability benefits were tested.