• Shirley Musich, Shaohung S Wang, Luke Slindee, Sandra Kraemer, and Charlotte S Yeh.
• Research for Aging Populations, Optum, Ann Arbor, MI. Electronic address: shirley.musich@optum.com.
• Geriatr Nurs. 2019 Jan 1; 40 (1): 31-36.

AbstractOur primary objective was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of high dose opioid users among older adults. Study populations included adults ≥65 years with: 1) 12-month continuous medical plan enrollment; and 2) at least 2 opioid prescriptions with a cumulative day supply ≥15 days. Opioid users were categorized as high dose >120 milligram morphine equivalents (MME) per day or lower dose ≤120 MMEs per day. Among eligible insureds, 3% (N = 7616) were identified as high dose opioid users. Compared to lower dose users, high dose opioid users were male, younger, depressed, in poorer health, had back pain, used benzodiazepines and/or sleep medications, and used 4 or more pharmacies. The prevalence of high dose opioid users was relatively small but users were characterized by a complex mix of physical and mental health issues. Interventions to reduce reliance on opioids may need mental health management to promote more effective pain management.Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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