AUGUST 6, 2024
A recent systematic review found that opioid misuse in cancer patients is highly prevalent, with rates ranging from 5.7% to 84.0%. The prevalence of opioid misuse risk varied between 2.4% and 35.4%, with a pooled prevalence of 12.3%.
The observed disparities in opioid misuse percentages underscore the need for more studies using standardized definitions, validated assessment tools and consistent research methods to accurately address this issue in patients with cancer, according to the review
A recent systematic review found that opioid misuse in cancer patients is highly prevalent, with rates ranging from 5.7% to 84.0%. The prevalence of opioid misuse risk varied between 2.4% and 35.4%, with a pooled prevalence of 12.3%.
The observed disparities in opioid misuse percentages underscore the need for more studies using standardized definitions, validated assessment tools and consistent research methods to accurately address this issue in patients with cancer, according to the review authors.
Published in the British Journal of Cancer (Br J Cancer 2024 Jul 26. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-024-02802-8), the review found few studies on opioid misuse, which showed significant variability in prevalence rates and outcomes. The main outcomes measured were the prevalence of opioid misuse and associated risk among adult cancer patients.
Out of 585 abstracts screened, six articles were included in the study. Five focused on cancer patients, while one examined the general population with chronic pain, including both cancer and noncancer conditions. All studies provided only prevalence data and used a cross-sectional design but varied in methods, misuse definitions and assessment tools.
A comprehensive literature search was conducted using terms related to cancer, opioid misuse and frequency across databases such as CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Embase, PsycInfo and PubMed, up to July 2023. Prospective studies were reviewed for frequency, study characteristics and quality, with a meta-analysis conducted for the subgroup on opioid misuse risk.
Opioid misuse was assessed using predefined criteria (e.g., Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) and operational definitions. It was defined as any use that does not follow a physician’s prescription. Studies on opioid misuse risk used tools designed for patients with chronic noncancer pain.
In 2022, opioids were involved in 75% of drug overdose deaths. Given the long-term issues associated with opioid use seen in patients with chronic noncancer pain, the review was driven by concerns about the potential consequences of opioid misuse in cancer patients undergoing opioid treatment, according to the authors.
—Norah Chinn
