Effect of Opioid-Related Adverse Events on Outcomes in Selected Surgical Patients

• Published in: Journal of pain & palliative care pharmacotherapy 2013-03, Vol.27 (1), p.62-70
• Main Authors: Oderda, Gary M., Gan, Tong J., Johnson, Bernadette H., Robinson, Scott B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; adverse events; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analgesics, Opioid - adverse effects; Analgesics, Opioid - therapeutic use; Female; Health Care Costs; health outcomes; Humans; Length of Stay - economics; Male; Middle Aged; opioids; Pain, Postoperative - drug therapy; Patient Readmission - economics; postsurgical pain; Retrospective Studies
• ISSN: 1536-0288; 1536-0539
• DOI: 10.3109/15360288.2012.751956

ABSTRACTPurpose: This retrospective study utilized a large, national hospital database to assess the impact of opioid-related adverse events (ORADE) on patient outcomes following selected surgical procedures known to require postoperative pain control. Methods: Outcomes of patients with administratively documented ORADE were compared to those without. Multivariate regression determined differences in hospital costs; length of stay (LOS); odds of individuals being an outlier in total cost and LOS; and having a 30-day all-cause readmission. Results: Among 319,898 surgeries of interest, 12.2% of patients experienced an ORADE. Patients had higher adjusted mean costs ($22,077 [95% CI 21,823-22,333] vs. $17,370 [95% CI 17,238-17,503]; p < 0.0001) and greater LOS (7.6 [95% CI 7.5-7.6] vs. 4.2 days [95% CI 4.2-4.2]; p