Research question
The study estimated the prevalence and intensity of concomitant opioid–psychotropic medication use among Mississippi Medicaid members who filled at least one opioid prescription in a given year.
Data and methods
The cross-sectional study used Mississippi Medicaid claims from 2016–2021. Analyses characterized chronic non-cancer pain diagnoses, mental health diagnoses, long-term opioid therapy and overlap with antidepressants, muscle relaxants, benzodiazepines and other psychotropic medication classes.
Selected findings
The eligible population declined from 82,550 members in 2016 to 51,583 in 2021. Concomitant opioid–psychotropic use remained near one-third of eligible members: 33.3% in 2016 and 33.8% in 2021. Antidepressants and muscle relaxants were the most common concomitant classes. Benzodiazepine overlap decreased substantially, while the intensity of concomitant use increased.
Why it matters
The findings help characterize real-world prescribing patterns in a publicly insured population and underscore the importance of coordinated prescribing and ongoing monitoring when opioids and psychotropic medications overlap.
Source
PubMed record · DOI · Earlier ISPOR abstract (RWD40)