Prolonged opioid use in trauma patients: A multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND

Trauma patients are vulnerable to long-term prescription opioid use (LTPOU) because of high prevalence of postinjury pain, but risk factors of self-reported LTPOU remain understudied in this population. Therefore, we aimed to understand the predictors of LTPOU in the trauma population and the long-term functional outcomes associated with it.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study, including patients 18 years or older with an Injury Severity Score of ≥9, who were admitted between July 2022 and December 2023 at one of three Level I trauma centers in our region. Patients were contacted between 6 and 12 months postinjury and administered a trauma quality of life survey. Long-term prescription opioid use was defined as having used prescription opioids within 3 months of participating in the survey. Adjusting for patient and injury characteristics, predictors of LTPOU were identified using stepwise logistic regression.

RESULTS

We included 809 patients, of whom 127 (15.7%) reported LTPOU. In our adjusted analysis, comorbid conditions, work-related injuries, Medicaid insurance, low education level, prior mental health disorders, and polytrauma were predictors of LTPOU, and severe head injury was protective. In a subgroup analysis of patients who did not experience chronic pain, young age, low education level, comorbid conditions, and polytrauma were predictors of LTPOU. Assessment of longer-term outcomes revealed that LTPOU was associated with posttraumatic stress disorder, new financial hardship, and new functional limitations in patients both with and without chronic pain.

CONCLUSION

Approximately, 16% of trauma patients reported LTPOU, and prior mental health disorders, low education levels, Medicaid insurance, comorbid conditions, and polytraumatic and work-related injuries were predictors of LTPOU. In patients without chronic pain, young age, low education levels, polytrauma, and comorbid conditions were predictors. ( J Trauma Acute Care Surg . 2026;100: 804-809. Copyright © 2026 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.).

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level III.