Association of Opioid, Anti-Depressant, and Benzodiazepines with Workers' Compensation Cost: A Cohort Study

Dan L. Hunt, Ryan D. Artuso, Nimisha Kalia, Nina Leung, Edward J. Bernacki, Xuguang Grant Tao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background:Antidepressants, benzodiazapines, and opioid medications are used to manage the pain, anxiety, or depression associated with workplace injuries.Objective:To evaluate the impact of these medications on workers' compensation costs and time lost from work.Methods:A cohort of 22,383 indemnity claims from 2008 to 2013 were evaluated for the association of prescribed medications on claim cost and delayed claim closure controlling for confounders.Results:Claims with anti-depressant, opioid, or benzodiazepine prescriptions were 2.24 (95% CI: 2.00 to 2.51), 1.14 (95% CI: 1.02 to 1.27), and 1.38 (95% CI: 1.23 to 1.54) times more likely to remain open at the end of the study.Conclusion:The concurrent treatment of pain, depression or anxiety, and occupational injuries are associated with large increases in claim cost and delayed return to work.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)E206-E211
JournalJournal of occupational and environmental medicine
Volume61
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2019

Keywords

  • Anti-depressant
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Occupational injury
  • Opioid
  • Psychotropic mediation
  • Workers' compensation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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