(285) Opioid Prescription in the Emergency Department for Patients with Axial Pain: Comparisons by Age Group.

Older adults are at higher risk than younger adults for axial pain conditions such as neck and low back pain. A common treatment pathway for patients with axial pain is the emergency department (ED), yet a paucity of research exists on ED treatment and subsequent outcomes for older adults with axial pain. This preliminary analysis investigated the role of age in a common treatment for axial pain in the ED – opioid prescription. Included in this analysis were patients visiting a university health system ED for a new episode of axial pain between January 2013 and December 2017. Patients were categorized based on age group (younger= less than 60 years; older= 60 years and older) and if they were prescribed opioids (yes/no). Differences based on axial pain region (neck/upper back versus low back) were also assessed. Associations between age group and opioid prescription for different axial pain regions were quantified using adjusted odds ratios (OR; 95% CI) derived from logistic regression which accounted for sex and age X axial pain region interaction. A total of 22,684 patients were assessed and the opioid prescription rate was 63%. The opioid prescription rate for older age was 68% and was 62% for younger age. Among those with neck/upper back pain (n=9,809), older age was associated with opioid prescription (1.16; 1.04, 1.28). Similarly, among those with low back pain (n=12,875), older age was associated with opioid prescription (1.44; 1.30, 1.58). Study findings suggest older adults seen in the ED for axial pain may have a greater likelihood of opioid prescription compared to younger adults, particularly for those with low back pain. Future studies among older adults with axial pain seen in the ED will elucidate the influence of opioids on recovery, as well as downstream health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]