Table 2.
Psychosocial problems attributed to opioids (Prescribed Opioids Difficulties Scale): Mean score1 and standard error of the mean comparing persons with pain-contingent versus time-scheduled opioid dosing among persons with chronic pain. Least square means adjusted for indicated variables.
| Variables included in adjustment model | A: Pain- contingent dosing only | B: Time- scheduled dosing only | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Unadjusted (except for health plan) | 4.2 (0.41) | 5.4 (0.34) | 0.04 |
| 2. Age, Gender, BMI, Education, Average Pain, Pain Days, Average Daily Opioid Dose, Predominant Use of Long-acting Opioids, number of days used opioids in past 2 weeks, number of times per day used opioids in prior two weeks | 5.2 (0.46) | 5.5 (0.36) | 0.71 |
| 3. Same covariates as Model 2 plus Pain Impact Score, Charlson Comorbidity Score | 5.2 (0.45) | 5.8 (0.36) | 0.33 |
| 4. Same covariates as Model 3 plus Depression (PHQ-8), self-reported history of a drug/alcohol problem | 5.1 (0.43) | 5.9 (0.35) | 0.14 |
1
A higher score indicates that patients attributed more psychosocial problems to their use of opioid pain medications.