Self-Reported Prescription Opioid Use Among Participants with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2024 · DOI: 10.46292/sci23-00050 · Published: January 1, 2024

Spinal Cord Injury Pain Management Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study examined how often people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) use prescription opioids and if this use is related to things like age, injury details, and financial status. The study found that almost half of the participants used at least one prescription opioid in the past year, with hydrocodone being the most common. Interestingly, Veterans and those with higher education levels were less likely to use opioids regularly.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

918 adults with SCI of at least 1-year duration

Evidence Level

Cohort study

Key Findings

1
47.1% of participants with SCI used at least one prescription opioid in the past year.
2
Hydrocodone was the most frequently used opioid (22.1%), followed by oxycodone (19.5%) and tramadol (15.6%).
3
Veterans and individuals with a bachelor's degree or higher had lower odds of using at least one opioid in the past year.

Research Summary

This study investigated the frequency of prescription opioid use among individuals with SCI and its relationship with demographic, injury, and socioeconomic characteristics. The study found that a significant percentage of participants used prescription opioids, with hydrocodone being the most common. Veteran status and higher education levels were associated with lower odds of opioid use.

Practical Implications

Informing Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation professionals should educate individuals with SCI about the risks of opioid use and alternative pain management techniques early in their care.

Guiding Public Health

Public health officials need to monitor opioid use among people with SCI and implement policies to limit its use to necessary circumstances.

Directing Future Research

Future research should focus on identifying other risk and protective behaviors and environmental factors that predict opioid use among individuals with SCI.

Study Limitations

1
All data were self-report, which is susceptible to reporting errors.
2
A large portion of individuals reported use of “other” medications, the specific nature of which is unknown.
3
The study sample was from the southeastern United States and may not be fully representative of other geographic regions.

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