Background information

From fiscal years 2004 to 2012, the prevalence of opioid prescriptions among Veterans increased from  18.9% to 33.4%, an increase of 76.7%. The groups with the highest prevalence of opioid use were women and young adults (i.e., 18-34 years old). In a sample of non-treatment-seeking members of the military who were interviewed within three months of returning from Afghanistan, 44% reported chronic pain and  15% reported using opioids—percentages much higher than in the general population. Chronic pain was also associated with poorer physical function, independent of comorbid mental health concerns in  Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans. In a study of Veterans with chronic pain who had been on opioids for at least 90 days, over 90% continued to use opioids one year later and nearly 80% continued to use opioids after completion of the 3.5 year follow-up period; while, in a study of civilian patients who had been on opioids for at least 90 days,  approximately 65% remained on opioids through the 4.8 year follow-up period. Rates of continuation in Veterans, based on this study, appeared to be related to age, marital status, race,  geography, mental health comorbidity, and dosage. Compared to others, those who were aged 50-65 years,  were married, were of a race other than African American, and who lived in a rural setting were more likely to continue using opioids. Veterans on higher doses of opioids were more likely to continue their use.  Notably, those with mental health diagnoses were less likely to continue opioids, including those with schizophrenia and bipolar diagnoses.

Question: What was the increment of the prevalence of opioid prescriptions among Veterans from fiscal years 2004 to 2012?
Answer: from  18.9% to 33.4%, an increase of 76.7%

Question: Which groups had the highest prevalence of opioid use?
Answer: women and young adults (i.e., 18-34 years old)

Question: In a sample of non-treatment-seeking members of the military who were interviewed within three months of returning from Afghanistan, how many reported chronic pain?
Answer: 44%

Question: In a sample of non-treatment-seeking members of the military who were interviewed within three months of returning from Afghanistan, how many reported using opioids?
Answer: 15%

Question: In Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans, chronic pain was associated with what?
Answer: poorer physical function, independent of comorbid mental health concerns

Question: In a study of Veterans with chronic pain who had been on opioids for at least 90 days, how many continued to use opioids one year later?
Answer: over 90%

Question: In a study of Veterans with chronic pain who had been on opioids for at least 90 days, how many continued to use opioids after completion of the 3.5 year follow-up period?
Answer: nearly 80%

Question: In a study of civilian patients who had been on opioids for at least 90 days, how many remained on opioids through the 4.8 year follow-up period?
Answer: approximately 65%

Question: Based on the study, which factors influence the rates of opioid-use continuation in Veterans?
Answer: age, marital status, race,  geography, mental health comorbidity, and dosage

Question: Depending on age, marital status, race, and living conditions, who were more likely to continue using opioids?
Answer: those who were aged 50-65 years,  were married, were of a race other than African American, and who lived in a rural setting

Question: Among the Veterans, who were more likely to continue their opioid use?
Answer: Veterans on higher doses of opioids

Question: Among the Veterans, who were less likely to continue their opioid use?
Answer: those with mental health diagnoses