Opioid-induced constipation negatively impacts pain management, productivity, and health-related quality of life: findings from the National Health and Wellness Survey.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the impact of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) on healthcare resource use, work productivity, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients receiving chronic opioid therapy.


METHODS
Data were collected via Internet questionnaires during the international National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS) 2004 from individuals aged > or = 18 years who reported taking opioids for > or = 6 months. Healthcare resource utilization, Work Productivity, and Activity Impairment, and Short-Form 8 (SF-8) questionnaire responses were compared between those who did or did not report OIC.


RESULTS
Data were available from 2,430 individuals receiving opioids, of whom 359 reported OIC. Participants with OIC reported significantly more physician visits (mean difference 3.84 visits; p < 0.05) and alternative care provider visits (mean difference 1.73 visits; p < 0.05) over the previous 6 months than those without OIC; however, no significant differences in emergency room visits or number of days of hospitalization were observed. Respondents with OIC also reported significantly greater time missed from work, impairment while working, overall work impairment, and activity impairment (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). HRQOL scores were significantly lower in the OIC group than those without OIC on both the physical and mental components of the SF-8 questionnaire (p < 0.05 for both comparisons).


CONCLUSIONS
The survey results reflect a negative impact of OIC on individuals' HRQOL and on society in terms of healthcare resource use and work productivity beyond that imposed by patients' pain conditions. These findings indicate a need for effective treatment for opioid-induced constipation in patients receiving chronic opioid therapy.
Bell
Timothy
T
GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
Annunziata
Kathy
K
Leslie
John B
JB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003248:Constipation / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004526:Efficiency; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006306:Health Surveys; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D055815:Young Adult
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid