• Robert A Lavin, Xuguang Grant Tao, Larry Yuspeh, and Edward J Bernacki.
• From the Department of Neurology (Dr Lavin), University of Maryland School of Medicine; Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (Drs Tao and Bernacki), Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md; and Strategic Risk and Strategy Management (Ms Yuspeh), Louisiana Workers' Compensation Corporation, Baton Rouge.
• J. Occup. Environ. Med. 2014 Sep 1;56(9):973-8.

ObjectiveStudy the use patterns and claim cost impact of prescription opioids and benzodiazepines in workers' compensation.MethodsA cohort of 11,394 lost time claims filed with the Louisiana Workers' Compensation Corporation from 1999 to 2002 was observed for 7 years post injuries.ResultsWe found that benzodiazepines are almost always prescribed in combination with opioids. The odds ratios of benzodiazepines used alone, with short-acting opioids and with long-acting opioids for claims ≥$100,000, were 2.74, 4.69, and 14.24, respectively (after controlling for gender, low back pain, marital status, attorney involvement, and each other). Average benzodiazepine daily dose increased to year 3 postinjury and plateaued thereafter, whereas the average opioid dose escalated each year postinjury.ConclusionsThe addition of benzodiazepines to an opioid treatment regimen significantly increases workers' compensation costs.

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