OBJECTIVES : Due to excessive prescription and misuse, an opioid epidemic has been officially recognized in recent years in the United States. This situation has worsened at an alarming rate and has become a major concern worldwide. Studies that have analyzed opioid abuse in Latin America are limited, this is why it is important to evaluate this situation in a middle-income country like Colombia. The objetive of this study was to estimate the number, geographical distribution and demographic characteristics of the population diagnosed with mental and behavioral disorders due to opioid use in Colombia.

METHODS : We conducted an observational descriptive study analyzing information from two different sources: the Individual National Registry of Health Services (RIPS) for the period 2009-2018, and the Colombian 2005 census and population estimates by DANE as denominators to estimate prevalence. All data were discriminated by age, gender and department (the Colombian political divisions). ICD-10 codes used were F110, F111, F112, F113 and F114.

RESULTS : 12,557 cases of mental and behavioral disorders due to opioid use were reported, with a prevalence of 3.0 per 100,000 inhabitants for the studied period. Men accounted for 74.2%, with a male:female ratio of 2.9. The highest prevalence was found between 20 and 24 years of age (6.2 per 100,000 inhabitants). The departments with the highest prevalence were Quindío (50.4 per 100,000 inhabitants), Risaralda (19.6) and Antioquia (6.6) which are located in the center and northwest region of Colombia, were most coffee production is concentrated.

CONCLUSIONS Recognition of mental and behavioral disorders due to opioid abuse has increased in the last 10 years, affects more males than females, mostly young adults, and is higher in certain affluent regions of Colombia. Studies that have analyzed opioid abuse in Latin America are limited, and further studies are needed to evaluate this situation in a middle-income country like Colombia.