High Opioid Prescribing Profiles Among Gastroenterologists: A Nationwide Analysis.

ABSTRACT

Chronic opioid use is associated with adverse effects on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and increased morbidity.1-3 Despite efforts to de-escalate opioid use, 10% of outpatient GI visits are associated with an opioid prescription.4 Although we previously described declining opioid prescriptions to Medicare patients by most gastroenterologists,5 opioid prescriptions for GI conditions have increased.4 Considerable variation in opioid prescribing behavior exists in the general physician population, and a small percentage of high prescribers are responsible for driving opioid prescriptions.6,7 The aims of this study are (1) to examine the impact of high opioid prescribers (HPs) on overall prescription volume in gastroenterology and (2) identify characteristics associated with HPs.