ACR Journals On Air
Opioids and SARDs
Nov 26, 2024
Inan Huang, an assistant professor of pharmacy administration and a research expert in rheumatology, discusses a pivotal study on opioid treatment trends for adults with systemic autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic diseases. The conversation reveals how patients with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis face different challenges compared to the general population regarding opioid effectiveness and safety. Huang also addresses critical insights from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, shedding light on disparities in prescribing practices and the urgent need for more research on long-term opioid use in these patients.
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Quick takeaways
- The study reveals significant disparities in opioid prescriptions, with over 20% of visits for SARD patients resulting in opioids compared to less than 10% for others.
- Findings indicate older patients and those using glucocorticoids are more likely to be prescribed opioids, emphasizing complexity in pain management for SARDs.
Deep dives
Understanding Opioid Use in Autoimmune Diseases
The study examines opioid prescribing patterns among adults with systemic autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic diseases (SARS) compared to those without these conditions. Chronic pain is prevalent in patients with these diseases, and the research highlights the need to understand how opioids are prescribed in this context. Opioids, traditionally effective for acute or cancer-related pain, show limited evidence of effectiveness for chronic pain, raising concerns due to their association with adverse events such as increased hospitalization and falls. This study aims to address these gaps by analyzing contemporary prescribing patterns to inform better pain management strategies.
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