Journal article
Community opioid dispensing prevalence and patterns in adults with spinal cord injury in Queensland: a retrospective data linkage study
Spinal cord, Vol.63(12), pp.681-689
12/2025
PMID: 41188607
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Abstract
Study Design: Population-based data linkage of state-based opioid dispensing, hospital administrative and death registry data.
Objective: This study aimed to provide a detailed overview of opioid dispensing in the 2-years following SCI.
Setting: Community.
Methods: Linked data were obtained for adults admitted to Queensland hospitals with a newly diagnosed traumatic or non-traumatic SCI from 1 January 2014-31 December 2017. Community opioid dispensing data was obtained for 3 months pre-SCI and up to two years after their Index Hospital Admission for SCI. Chronic dispensing (≥90 cumulative dispensing days) and high end dose (median daily dose of 50 or more oral morphine equivalents in the last 3 months of dispensing) were calculated from dispensing data.
Results: Of the 298 included cases (180 traumatic; 118 non-traumatic), 1 or more opioids were dispensed to 19% of the cohort in the 3 months pre-SCI (40% non-traumatic SCI; 6% traumatic SCI) and to 53% post-SCI (56% non-traumatic SCI; 52% traumatic SCI). Those who were dispensed opioids pre-SCI were 3.7 times more likely to have been dispensed opioids in the observation period (95% confidence interval: 1.90, 7.24, p < 0.001). Thirty percent of the cohort have been dispensed opioids chronically. High opioid end doses were significantly more likely among those with non-traumatic SCI.
Conclusions: Whilst it was positive that many were not dispensed an opioid post-SCI, the high prevalence of high opioid doses and chronic duration is concerning. The reliance on opioids for pain management suggests stronger approaches to coordinated and improved multi-disciplinary long-term pain management is needed.
Details
- Title
- Community opioid dispensing prevalence and patterns in adults with spinal cord injury in Queensland: a retrospective data linkage study
- Creators
- Samantha J Borg - Queensland University of TechnologyVictoria McCreanor - Queensland University of TechnologyTimothy Geraghty - Griffith UniversityKaren Luetsch - The University of QueenslandSteven M McPhail - Queensland University of TechnologySusanna Cramb - Queensland University of TechnologyRania Shibl - University of the Sunshine CoastMelanie Proper - Metro North Health (Queensland)Bill Loveday - Queensland HealthCate M Cameron - Queensland University of Technology
- Publication Details
- Spinal cord, Vol.63(12), pp.681-689
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Grant note
- The broader study was supported by a Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Foundation Grant.
- Identifiers
- 991013351556602368
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article