Citation

Tao XG, Lavin RA, Yuspeh L, Bernacki EJ. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 2012; 54(4): 439-444.

Affiliation

From the Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (Drs Tao and Bernacki), Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Department of Neurology (Dr Lavin), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md; and Development and Strategy Management (Mr Larry), Louisiana Workers' Compensation Corporation, Baton Rouge, La.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/JOM.0b013e3182451e39

PMID

22418275

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:: To determine the relationship between opioid dosage and claim duration. METHODS:: Closure rates and morphine-equivalent dose were analyzed over a 7-year period for 11,394 lost-time claims filed with the Louisiana Workers' Compensation Corporation. RESULTS:: The percentage of claims in which opioids were ever prescribed increased from 43.3% in year 1 to 80.8% in year 7 post-injury. The percentage of claims in which individuals were prescribed long-acting (LA) opioids increased from 5.2% to 29.6%, and the percentage of claims in which individuals were prescribed only short-acting (SA) opioids increased from 38.1% to 51.2%. Morphine-equivalent dose increased from 10.0 mg/day (year 1) to 143.2 mg/day (year 7) for claims in which individuals were prescribed LA opioids. The average claim duration for claims in which individuals were prescribed no opioids, only SA opioids, and LA opioids was 415, 930, and 2025 days, respectively. CONCLUSION:: Opioid dosage escalates as claims mature.

Language: en