@article{ref1,
title="Opioid use among adolescent patients treated for headache",
journal="Journal of Adolescent Health",
year="2014",
author="Devries, Andrea and Koch, Thomas and Wall, Eric and Getchius, Thomas and Chi, Winnie and Rosenberg, Alan",
volume="55",
number="1",
pages="128-133",
abstract="PURPOSE: To determine the pervasiveness of opioid prescribing for adolescents with headache and patient and provider characteristics associated with likelihood of opioid prescribing. METHODS: This observational cohort analysis used commercial medical and pharmacy claims between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2008. Included were adolescents (13-17 years of age) with newly diagnosed headache, ≥2 distinct claims for headache, and ≥12 months health plan eligibility preindex and postindex. Adolescents with a trauma diagnosis at any point were excluded. The primary outcome was current practice patterns, measured by a number of opioid claims, a percentage of patients prescribed opioids, a number of opioid prescriptions per year, a length of opioid therapy, and a frequency of specific comorbidities. A secondary outcome characterized providers and practice settings, comparing patients who received opioids with those who did not. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Of 8,373 adolescents with headache, 46% (3,859 patients) received an opioid prescription. Nearly half (48%) received one opioid prescription during follow-up; 29% received ≥3 opioid prescriptions. Of those with opioid prescriptions, 25% (977 patients) had a migraine diagnosis at index date. Among adolescents who received opioids, 28% (1,076 adolescents) had an emergency department (ED) visit for headache during follow-up versus 14% (608 adolescents) who did not receive opioids (p < .01). ED visits with a headache diagnosis during follow-up were strongly correlated with opioid use after adjusting for other covariates (odds ratio, 2.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.79-2.29). Despite the treatment guidelines recommending against their use, a large proportion of adolescents with headache were prescribed opioids. ED visits were strongly correlated with opioid prescriptions.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1054-139X",
doi="10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.12.014",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.12.014"
}