National trends in long-term use of prescription opioids.

PURPOSE: This study examined recent trends and correlates of prescription opioid use and long-term use in the United States.

METHODS

Data were from 47 356 adult participants of National Health and Nutrition Survey from 1999-2000 to 2013-2014. Participants were asked about prescription medications used in the past 30 days. Long-term use of prescription opioids was defined by use for 90 days or longer.

RESULTS

The prevalence of prescription opioid use increased from 4.1% of US adults in 1999-2000 to 6.8% in 2013-2014 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10-1.75, P = .007). This trend was driven by a sharp increase in long-term use which increased from 1.8% to 5.4% (OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.65-3.00, P < .001). Of all opioid users in 2013-2014, 79.4% were long-term users compared with 45.1% in 1999-2000. Long-term use was associated with poorer physical health, concurrent benzodiazepine use, and history of heroin use.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings highlight the need for research on potential benefits and harms of long-term use of opioids and efforts to restrict long-term use to patients for whom the benefits outweigh the risks.