Despite Available Alternatives, Opioids Are Frequently Given to Gout Patients

More than a quarter of patients with gout are discharged from emergency departments (ED) with opioids, despite the availability of corticosteroids, colchicine, and other indicated treatments, according to a recent analysis.

Acute gout in frequently responsible ED visits, which are a major source of opioid prescriptions. In a recent study, researchers sought to assess the burden of opioid use among gout patients discharged from the ED.

They used data from electronic health records from 456 adult patients with gout who were discharged from the ED or hospital from March 2015 to September 2017.

Overall, 129 (28.3%) of the patients received opioids at discharge, with an average dose of 37.9±17.2mg of morphine equivalent for a median duration of 8 days. Those with polyarticular gout attack, diabetes, or those with prior opioid use had higher odds of receiving opioids.

“Despite the availability of effective treatments, opioids are commonly used for the management of acute gout. The study highlights an opportunity to curb the opioid epidemic among gout patients.”

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Prescription opioid use among acute gout patients discharged from the emergency department [published online July 2, 2019]. Arthritis Care. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.23928.