Opioid Dependence Is Associated With Increased Odds for Acute Periapical Abscesses.

AIMS: This study aims to assess the odds ratio for acute periapical abscesses (PAs) in opioid-dependent patients and compare it to non-users.

METHODS

Data aggregated from 1 799 122 patients visiting the medical center were recorded. Data from the corresponding diagnosis codes for opioid dependence and acute PAs was retrieved by searching the appropriate query in the database. The odds ratio (OR) of acute PAs and their association with opioid dependence were calculated and analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

Opioid-dependent patients showed significantly more acute PAs than non-users. The OR for acute periapical abscesses in opioid-dependent patients was 8.9. The difference in prevalence compared to the total hospital patient population was statistically significant. Following adjustment for diabetes co-morbidity, the OR for acute PAs in opioid- dependent patients was 7.52, and the difference in prevalence as compared to the total hospital patient population was statistically significant. Following adjustment for smoking co-morbidity, the odds ratio for acute periapical abscesses in opioid-dependent patients was 3.34, and the difference in prevalence as compared to the total hospital patient population was statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Under the conditions of this study, it appears that the odds for acute periapical abscesses is significantly higher in opioid-dependent patients as compared to non-users.