OBJECTIVES: To describe the utilization of opioids prescriptions in patients with cancer and non-cancer pain, in a nationally representative sample of adults in the U.S.

METHODS: The data of prescription opioids use were drawn from NHANES 2015–2016. The prevalence of prescription opioids use was explored based on sociodemographic and clinical variables. These included: age, sex, race, household income, education level, type of pain (acute or chronic pain), number of days taking medicine, number of prescription medicine taken, medical conditions (Arthritis, CVD, Cancer, Asthma ) and opioid type (Fentanyl, Tramadol, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Codeine, and Morphine). Frequency tables were generated for descriptive analysis using STATA.

RESULTS: 384 opioid users were identified and included in the study. Trend analysis showed that the use of opioid prescription increased with the increase in age. Females (57%) and Non-Hispanic Whites (41%) had higher prevalence rates. The use of prescription opioid was lower among college graduates (11%). However, low income patients had higher prescription opioid use (53%). Based on clinical variables, patients with CVD comorbidity had the highest frequency (74%), and Tramadol was the most frequently used opioid prescription (33%). Most patients used opioids for chronic pain (68%). All opioid prescriptions were highly used in patients with chronic pain, while codeine was the most opioid used in acute pain (50%). Moreover, CVD patients were the most population who used opioid prescription for acute and chronic pain of 3 months (43%). While arthritis patients were the most population used opioid prescription for chronic pain of 6 month or more (39%).

CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that opioids prescription use varied based on patient’s sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. The results of this study can inform prescribing behavior, research related to the opioid epidemic, and clinical decision-making processes.