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Impact of Opioid Controlled Substance Agreements
Mayo Clin Proc; ePub 2018 Sep 20; Philpot, et al
Controlled substance agreement (CSA) enrollment was associated with reductions in primary care visits and increased radiologic service utilization in patients receiving long-term opioid therapy for chronic noncancer pain, a recent study found. Researchers retrospectively evaluated health care utilization changes among patients enrolled in a CSA between July 1, 2015, and December 31, 2015. Patient characteristics and utilization was assessed 12 months before and after CSA enrollment. They found:
- 772 patients (mean age 63.5 years, mostly white, female, married) were enrolled in an opioid CSA during the study period.
- CSA enrollment was associated with decreased outpatient primary care visits and increased diagnostic radiology services.
- Patients with greater comorbidity were more likely to have reductions in hospitalization, outpatient primary care visits, and reduced specialty care visits.
Philpot LM, Ramar P, Elrashidi MY, Sinclair TA, Ebbert JO. A before and after analysis of health care utilization by patients enrolled in opioid controlled substance agreements for chronic noncancer pain. [Published online ahead of print September 20, 2018]. Mayo Clin Proc. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2018.05.008.