“Opioids are vital to pain management and sedation after trauma-related hospitalization. However, there are many confounding clinical, social, and environmental factors that exacerbate pain, post-injury care needs, and receipt of opioid prescriptions following orthopaedic trauma. This retrospective study sought to characterize differences in opioid prescribing and dosing in a national Medicaid eligible sample from 2010–2018. The study population included adults, discharged after orthopaedic trauma hospitalization, and receiving an opioid prescription within 30 days of discharge.”

“Patient demographics, including age, gender, and Medicaid eligibility were found to be linked to receipt of an opioid prescription after injury. Compared to those between ages 18–30, individuals aged 31–50 had higher odds of filling a prescription <30 days after discharge (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.08–1.22). Alternatively, being between the ages of 51–65 was not significantly associated with having a prescription filled <30 days after discharge (OR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.92–1.05). Male Medicaid beneficiaries had increased odds of having a prescription filled <30 days after discharge, 12%, compared to females (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.07–1.18). Individuals eligible for Medicaid due to disability were observed with lower odds ratio for opioid receipt < 30 days (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.71–0.80).”

Giordano, N. A., et al (2024). Opioid utilization after orthopaedic trauma hospitalization among Medicaid-insured adults. Frontiers in public health, 12, 1327934.