Abstract
Objective: To characterize changes in opioid, gabapentin, and pregabalin utilization patterns and cost trends between 2008 and 2018 in a Louisiana workers' compensation claims population and explore the role of gabapentinoids as alternative analgesics during the opioid epidemic. Method: Filled prescriptions for gabapentinoids and opioids were studied for 11 years in a cohort of 18,737 claimants. Results: The proportion of claimants prescribed gabapentin increased 2-fold (8.9% to 18.9%) and average drug cost per claimant decreased 22% ($612 to $480). The proportion of claimants prescribed pregabalin decreased approximately 80% (11.7% to 2.5%) and average drug cost per claim increased 224% ($911 to $2952). Proportion of claimants prescribed opioids decreased 20% (80% to 64.2%) and average drug cost per claim decreased 46% ($691 to $371). Conclusions: Utilization increased substantially for gabapentin and decreased for pregabalin and opioids.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | E46-E52 |
Journal | Journal of occupational and environmental medicine |
Volume | 63 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2021 |
Keywords
- Gabapentin
- Gabapentinoid
- Occupational injury
- Opioid
- Prediction
- Pregabalin
- Trend
- Utilization
- Workers' compensation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health