Opioid abuse, dependence increases postop readmissions

Editor's Note

Opioid abuse or dependence after major surgical procedures was associated with increased readmission rates and healthcare utilization.

Of 16,016,842 patients in the National Readmission Database analyzed, 94,903 (0.6%) had diagnoses of opioid abuse or dependence.

Comparing patients with and without opioid abuse or dependence, researchers found that patients with opioid abuse or dependence had:

• higher 30-day readmission rates (11.1% vs 9.1%)
• longer mean length of stay at initial admission (6 vs 4 days) and readmission (6 days vs 5 days)
• higher costs during initial admission ($18,528 vs $16,617).

Readmissions for infections, opioid overdose, and acute pain also were more common in patients with opioid abuse or dependence.