Home > Association between opioid tapering and subsequent health care use, medication adherence, and chronic condition control.

Magnan, Elizabeth M and Tancredi, Daniel J and Xing, Guibo and Agnoli, Alicia and Jerant, Anthony and Fenton, Joshua J (2023) Association between opioid tapering and subsequent health care use, medication adherence, and chronic condition control. JAMA Network Open, 6, (2), e2255101. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.55101.

External website: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/f...

Importance: Opioid tapering has been associated with negative consequences, such as increased overdoses and mental health needs. Tapering could also alter use of health care services and worsen care of comorbid conditions through disruption in primary care.

Question: Is opioid tapering associated with reduced primary care visits, increased hospital-based care, or adverse changes in chronic condition care among patients prescribed stable long-term opioid therapy?

Findings: In this cohort study including 113 604 patients, opioid tapering was associated with fewer primary care visits and statistically significant increases in emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Statistically significant decreases were noted in adherence to antihypertensive or antidiabetic medication among patients with hypertension or diabetes.

Meaning: The findings of this cohort study suggest that increased higher acuity care and reduced medication adherence may represent unintended negative consequences of opioid tapering for policy makers and clinicians to consider in weighing the benefits and risks of opioid tapers.


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