Trends in potentially inappropriate opioid prescribing and associated risk factors among Korean noncancer patients prescribed non-injectable opioid analgesics

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate trends in the prevalence of potentially inappropriate opioid prescribing (PIOP) and identify potential risk factors among Korean noncancer patients. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of annual national patient sample data from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA-NPS) for the period 2012–2018. Noncancer patients who were prescribed non-injectable opioid analgesics (NIOAs) at least once were included. The proportion of patients with at least one PIOP in terms of concurrent use of benzodiazepines or gabapentinoids, substance use disorder, treatment duration, and dosage was evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify the risk factors associated with PIOP. RESULTS: Of the 9,772,503 noncancer patients, 1,583,444 (16.2%) were prescribed NIOAs at least once. Among them, 15.7% were exposed to PIOP, and the prevalence was much higher (31.6%) in the elderly group (age: ⩾65 years). The prevalence of PIOP increased 1.1-fold over 7 years (14.8–16.8%) among the total NIOA users and was more pronounced in non-tramadol NIOA users (a 1.5-fold increase, from 13.2% to 19.4%). Multivariable logistic regression indicated that older age, beneficiaries of medical aid or national meritorious service, exposure to polypharmacy, psychological disorder, chronic pain indication, and concomitant sedative use were independently associated with higher odds of PIOP. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We found that the prevalence of PIOP was 15.7% among Korean noncancer patients, and it increased over the 7-year study period. This increasing trend is alarming because it was more drastic with non-tramadol NIOAs compared with that with tramadol. Several patient-level risk factors associated with PIOP would be useful in targeted management strategies for the safe use of opioids. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Potentially inappropriate opioid prescribing and related risk factors among noncancer patients prescribed non-injectable opioids in Korea In Korea, the prevalence of non-injectable opioid analgesic (NIOA) use in noncancer patients steadily increased from 15.3% in 2012 to 17.1% in 2018. Also, the prevalence of potentially inappropriate opioid prescribing (PIOP) increased from 14.8% in 2012 to 16.8% in 2018. The following factors were associated with a markedly increased risk of PIOP: age, beneficiaries of medical aid or national meritorious service, polypharmacy, psychological disorder, chronic pain, and concomitant medications.