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Abstract

Background

Since 1999, >200 000 people in the United States have died from a prescription opioid overdose. Lower socioeconomic status (SES) is one important risk factor. This study investigates socioeconomic disparities in postoperative opioid prescription and consumption.

Methods

September 2018-April 2019, 128 patients were surveyed postoperatively regarding opioid consumption. The neighborhood disadvantage was calculated using area deprivation index (ADI). The top 3 quartiles were “high SES” and the bottom quartile “low SES.”

Results

The study population included 96 high SES patients, median ADI 6 (2-12.3) and 32 low SES, median ADI 94.5 (81.3-97.3). For both, median Oxycodone 5 mg prescribed was 20 pills. 29.2% of high SES consumed 0 pills, 40.6% consumed 1-9 pills, and 27.1% consumed 10+ pills. 25.0% of low SES consumed 0 pills, 46.9% consumed 1-9 pills, and 18.8% consumed 10+ pills. No significant difference in opioid prescription (P = .792) or consumption (P = .508) between SES groups.

Discussion

Patients of all SES are prescribed and consumed opioids in similar patterns with no significant difference in postoperative pain following ambulatory surgery.

Keywords

general surgery opioid public health socioeconomic disparities pain management

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Do Socioeconomic Disparities Exist in Postoperative Opioid Prescription and Consumption?

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Discussion

Keywords

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References