Trends in opioid utilisation in Australia, 2006-2015: Insights from multiple metrics.
Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf
; 27(5): 504-512, 2018 05.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29280224
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
Population-based observational studies have documented global increases in opioid analgesic use. Many studies have used a single population-adjusted metric (number of dispensings, defined daily doses [DDDs], or oral morphine equivalents [OMEs]). We combine these volume-based metrics with a measure of the number of persons dispensed opioids to gain insights into Australian trends in prescribed opioid use.METHODS:
We obtained records of prescribed opioid dispensings (2006-2015) subsidised under Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. We used dispensing claims to quantify annual changes in use according to 3 volume-based metrics DDD/1000 pop/day, OME/1000 pop/day, and dispensings/1000 pop. We estimated the number of persons dispensed at least one opioid in a given year (persons)/1000 pop using data from a 10% random sample of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme-eligible Australians.RESULTS:
Total opioid use increased according to all metrics, especially OME/1000 pop/day (51% increase) and dispensings/1000 pop (44%). Weaker opioid use remained stable or declined; strong opioid use increased. The rate of persons accessing weaker opioids only decreased 31%, and there was a 238% increase in persons dispensed only strong opioids. Strong opioid use also increased according to dispensings/1000 pop (140%), OME/1000 pop/day (80%), and DDD/1000 pop/day (71% increase).CONCLUSIONS:
Our results suggest that the increases in total opioid use between 2006 and 2015 were predominantly driven by a growing number of people treated with strong opioids at lower medicine strengths/doses. This method can be used with or without person-level data to provide insights into factors driving changes in medicine use over time.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Prescripciones de Medicamentos
/
Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina
/
Revisión de la Utilización de Medicamentos
/
Utilización de Medicamentos
/
Analgésicos Opioides
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Humans
País/Región como asunto:
Oceania
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf
Asunto de la revista:
EPIDEMIOLOGIA
/
TERAPIA POR MEDICAMENTOS
Año:
2018
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Australia