New and Persistent Controlled Substance Use Among Patients Undergoing Mastectomy and Reconstructive Surgery

PurposeProlonged use of controlled substances can place patients at increased risk of dependence and complications. Women who have mastectomy and reconstructive surgery (M+R) may be vulnerable to becoming new persistent users (NPUs) of opioid and sedative-hypnotic medications.MethodsUsing the MarketScan health care claims database, we identified opioid- and sedative-hypnotic-naïve women who had M+R from 2008-2017. Women who filled ≥1 peri-operative prescription and ≥2 post-operative prescriptions within one year after surgery were classified as NPUs. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to estimate rates of new persistent use and predictive factors. Risk summary scores were created based on the sum of associated factors.ResultsWe evaluated 25,270 opioid-naïve women and 27,651 sedative-hypnotic-naïve women.We found that 18,931 opioid-naïve women filled a peri-operative opioid prescription, and of those, 3,315 (17.5%) became opioid NPUs post-operatively. Additionally, 10,781 sedative-hypnotic-naïve women filled a peri-operative sedative-hypnotic prescription, and of those, 1,837 (17.0%) became sedative-hypnotic NPUs. Development of new persistent sedative-hypnotic use was associated with age ≤49 (OR 1.79 [95% CI 1.43–2.25]) and age 50-64 (1.65 [1.31-2.07]) compared to age ≥65; Medicaid insurance (1.92 [1.23–2.98]); southern residence (1.38 [1.20–1.59]); breast cancer diagnosis (1.78 [1.09–2.91]); and chemotherapy (2.24 [2.02–2.49]). Risk of NPU increased with higher risk score. Women with ≥3 of these risk factors were three times more likely to become sedative-hypnotic NPUs than patients with 0 or 1 factors (3.03 [2.60–3.53]). Comparable findings were seen regarding new persistent opioid use.ConclusionWomen who have M+R are at risk of developing both new persistent opioid and new persistent sedative-hypnotic use. A patient’s risk of becoming an NPU increases as their number of risk factors increases. Non-pharmacologic strategies are needed to manage pain and anxiety following cancer-related surgery.