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. 2022 Jul;49(3):315-334.
doi: 10.1007/s11414-022-09790-8. Epub 2022 Mar 2.

Disparities in Opioid Prescribing for Long-Term Chronic and Short-Term Acute Pain: Findings from the 2019 National Health Interview Survey

Judith D Weissman  1 , David Russell  2 , John Taylor  3
Affiliations

Disparities in Opioid Prescribing for Long-Term Chronic and Short-Term Acute Pain: Findings from the 2019 National Health Interview Survey

Judith D Weissman et al. J Behav Health Serv Res. 2022 Jul.

Abstract

The CDC cautioned against prescribing opioids for long-term chronic pain because opioid use disorder (OUD) risk was greater compared to short-term use for acute pain. The study objective was to describe rates and characteristics of respondents prescribed opioids for long-term chronic and short-term acute pain. National Health Interview Survey respondents for 2019 aged 18 years and over were examined (n = 31,997). Bivariate and multivariable models demonstrated opioid use for long-term and acute pain relative to sociodemographic characteristics. About 12.3% of US adults took opioids in the last 12 months, and among those with chronic pain who had been prescribed opioids in the last 3 months, over half took opioids every day. The odds of taking opioids for long-term chronic pain decreased with increasing income and increased with advancing age. Opioid prescribing diverged from CDC recommendations. Less affluent older adults may be at increased risk for OUD.

Keywords: Income disparities; Long-Term chronic pain; Opioid use; Short-term acute pain.

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