Opioid use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Background: Data on opioid use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and the relationship between disease, opioid use, and healthcare resource utilization are needed. Methods: This analysis of real-world data from IBM Watson Health Commercial Claims and Encounters Database included patients with the first claim of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) between 2007 and 2014. Results: Opioid use was higher in patients with IBD than in the matched non-IBD cohort. Adjusted for age, gender, and Charlson Comorbidity Index score, inpatient and emergency room visits risk was higher in opioid users than non-users in both IBD cohorts. Conclusions: Opioid use could be a potential surrogate for inadequate disease control manifested by increased inpatient and emergency room visit risks. These results suggest a need exists for better disease management and the development of an outcomes measurement tool for IBD pain. Lay Summary Opioid use, inpatient hospital and emergency room visits were higher in patients with inflammatory bowel disease than a matched non-inflammatory bowel disease cohort. Opioid use could be a potential surrogate for inadequate disease control manifested by increased risk for inpatient hospital and emergency room visits.