title: Extent and Impact of Opioid Prescribing for Acute Occupational Low Back Pain in the Emergency Department.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Initial management of acute occupational low back pain (AOLBP) commonly occurs in the emergency department (ED), where opioid prescribing can vary from the clinical guidelines that recommend limited use.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to explore how opioids are prescribed in the ED and the impact on work disability and other outcomes in AOLBP.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective cohort study was conducted. All acute compensable lost-time LBP cases seen initially in the ED with a date of injury from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011 were identified within a nationally representative Workers' Compensation dataset. Multivariate models estimated the effect of early opioids (received within 2 days of ED visit) on disability duration, long-term opioid use, total medical costs, and subsequent surgeries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the cohort (N = 2887), 12% received early opioids; controlling for severity, this was significantly associated with long-term opioid use (adjusted risk ratio = 1.29; 95% confidence interval 1.05-1.58) and increased total medical costs for those in the highest opioid dosage quartile, but not associated with disability duration or subsequent low back surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early opioid prescribing in the ED for uncomplicated AOLBP increased long-term opioid use and medical costs, and should be discouraged, as opioid use for low back pain has been associated with a variety of adverse outcomes. However, ED providers may be becoming more compliant with current LBP treatment guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, Hopkinton, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Sharon S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, Hopkinton, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: YoonSun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, Hopkinton, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Glenn S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Pransky
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid
keywords: emergency treatment; low back pain; opioid adverse effects