Article

Patients with a history of substance use disorder (SUD) are more likely to be
prescribed opioid medications for chronic pain than patients without an SUD
history; however, little is known about prescription opioid therapy in
populations composed exclusively of patients with SUD. This study examined
correlates of prescription opioid therapy in 214 Veterans with chronic noncancer
pain and an SUD history. Participants completed psychosocial questionnaires and
participated in a structured mental health diagnostic interview, and medical
diagnoses and opioid pharmacy data were abstracted from their Department of
Veterans Affairs electronic medical records. Participants were categorized into
three groups based on opioid prescriptions in the past 90 d: no opioid therapy (n
= 134), short-term (<90 d) opioid therapy (n = 31), or long-term (>/= 90 d)
opioid therapy (n = 49). Relative to participants prescribed no or short-term
opioid therapy, participants who were prescribed long-term opioid therapy had a
greater number of pain diagnoses; reported higher levels of pain severity,
interference, and catastrophizing; and endorsed lower chronic pain self-efficacy.
In a multivariate model, number of pain diagnoses and pain interference were
associated with a greater likelihood of being prescribed long-term opioid therapy
after controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics. Findings
highlight the poor pain-related functioning in patients with SUD histories who
are prescribed long-term opioid therapy.

Langue : ANGLAIS