OBJECTIVES: CDC indicates over 70% of drug overdoses involved a prescription or illicit opioid. A US healthcare claims database was analyzed to assess trends, baseline comorbidities, and per member per month costs (PMPMC) among opioid overdose patients (OOP).

METHODS: : This retrospective analysis used anonymized Commercial, Managed Medicare, and Medicaid patient claims from Optum. Patients with a medical claim for opioid overdose (toxicity, poisoning by opium/opioids, synthetic narcotics, illicit/prescribed) between Jan 2016 through Dec 2019 were identified. Patients >18 years with minimum continuous enrollment of 30 days at index event (first) were included. Trends, baseline characteristics, Charlson - and Agency for Healthcare Related and Quality (AHRQ 1, 2, and 3) - Comorbidities, and PMPMC were analyzed by year and insurance type.

RESULTS: During 2016-2019, 20,694, 22,864, 20,351, and 19,495 OOP events were identified, respectively. In 2019, ~54% were <50 years, with ~33% aged 30-49 years. However, a trend was noted among >50 years old, with increases of 6% and 13% in OOPs aged >50 years and 65-84 years, respectively, with approximately 13.12% increase in PMPMC between 2016 and 2019. Approximately 44% of OOP had at least one comorbidity. Commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid patients had chronic pulmonary disease, diabetes with chronic complications, and congestive heart failure in common. Commercial and Medicare OOP had malignancy and peripheral vascular diseases, respectively. Mild liver disease was common among Commercial and Medicaid. Medicare and Medicaid OOP had renal disease in common. Prevalent comorbidities were mental illness AHRQ1, substance-related disorders AHRQ2, and heart disease AHRQ3.

CONCLUSIONS: : This study demonstrates changing trends, PMPMC, and comorbidities among OOP. If this increasing trend of opioid overdose continues in individuals >50 years, this may result in significant burden to the healthcare system. Further analysis is necessary to evaluate association between comorbidity and risk of developing overdose and potential benefits of naloxone.