Differences in Characteristics and Downstream Drug Use Among Opioid-Naïve and Prior Opioid Users with Low Back Pain.

Background: Recent clinical practice guidelines have suggested conservative treatment approaches, including physical therapy, are indicated as first-line treatment for patients with low back pain (LBP); however, LBP continues to be managed with opioids, despite decreases in function, morbidity, and insignificant improvements in pain.

Objective: The primary purpose was to compare characteristics and downstream medication use between patients with LBP with prior opioid exposure vs. those who were opioid-naïve.