Opioid dispensing in relation to arthroscopic knee surgery in Denmark from 2006 to 2018

Jonas Bloch Thorlund, Matilde Lundberg, Jindong Ding Petersen, Martin Englund, Bjarke Viberg, Frans Boch Waldorff, Jens Søndergaard

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. In the US, opioids are commonly prescribed after arthroscopic knee surgery. We aimed to investigate opioid dispensing in relation to arthroscopic knee surgeries from 2006 to 2018 in Denmark. METHODS. In Danish registries, we identified patients (≥ 15 years old) having arthroscopic knee surgery (anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction; meniscal surgery; cartilage resection; synovectomy and diagnostic arthroscopy) between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2018 and opioid dispensing (oral morphine equivalents (OMEQ)) within seven days after discharge from surgery. RESULTS. Among 218,940 patients, 15,263 (7%) had an opioid dispensed within seven days after being discharged following surgery. The opioid dispensing incidence (per 1,000 persons/year) increased during the study period for all procedures. This trend was more pronounced for ACL reconstruction, which recorded an increase from 86 (95% confidence interval (CI): 75-99) in 2006 to 278 (95% CI: 255-301) in 2018, corresponding to 9% and 28% of ACL patients, respectively. In the same period, the average amount of opioids dispensed within the first seven days after discharge decreased (change: 70.0 OMEQ (95% CI: 12.4-127.5)). Tramadol and oxycodone were the most commonly dispensed opioids. CONCLUSION. About 7% of patients had an opioid dispensed within the first seven days after discharge following arthroscopic knee surgery. The incidence of opioids dispensed increased for all investigated procedures from 2006 to 2018. In the same period, the average amount of opioids dispensed within the first seven days after discharge decreased.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberA01230032
JournalDanish Medical Journal
Volume70
Issue number9
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Orthopedics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Opioid dispensing in relation to arthroscopic knee surgery in Denmark from 2006 to 2018'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this