Association of Opioid, Anti-Depressant, and Benzodiazepines With Workers' Compensation Cost: A Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND

Antidepressants, benzodiazapines, and opioid medications are used to manage the pain, anxiety, or depression associated with workplace injuries.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of these medications on workers' compensation costs and time lost from work.

METHODS

A cohort of 22,383 indemnity claims from 2008 to 2013 were evaluated for the association of prescribed medications on claim cost and delayed claim closure controlling for confounders.

RESULTS

Claims with anti-depressant, opioid, or benzodiazepine prescriptions were 2.24 (95% CI: 2.00 to 2.51), 1.14 (95% CI: 1.02 to 1.27), and 1.38 (95% CI: 1.23 to 1.54) times more likely to remain open at the end of the study.

CONCLUSION

The concurrent treatment of pain, depression or anxiety, and occupational injuries are associated with large increases in claim cost and delayed return to work.