[Analgesic opioids misuse in the elderly: A review]

Abstract

Analgesic opioids addiction (AOA) is very frequent in the elderly, and results in a high morbi-mortality due to geriatric associated pathologies with pharmacokinetics modifications. However, it is poorly detected in these subjects and specific screening tools should be widely used to detect the risk factors for AOA prevention. Before initiating opioid prescription, exhaustive search of associated treatments (to track drug interaction) and of opioid prescription by other clinicians (doctor shopping) are requisite. Specific care sectors, as developed in the United States are still scarce in France and care support is provided by the collaboration between geriatricians and psychiatrists. Optimisation of somatic and psychiatric comorbidities is a core part of the guidelines.

Keywords: addiction; elderly; misuse; prescription opioids.