Table 3. Study Outcomes by Treatment Group.
| Opioid-sparing protocol (n = 95) | Standard care (n = 98) | Difference (95% CI) | P valuea | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Difference | ||||
| Total OMEs consumed, mg | ||||
| Mean (95% CI) | 8.4 (5.3-11.5) | 72.6 (53.2 to 92.0) | MD, 64.2 (44.4 to 84.0) | <.001b |
| Median (IQR) | 0 (0-8.0) | 40.0 (7.5 to 105.0) | ||
| VAS score, mean (95% CI)c | ||||
| 2 wk | 15.4 (11.3-19.5) | 17.8 (13.9 to 21.7) | MD, 2.7 (−3.0 to 8.4) | .42d |
| 6 wk | 12.2 (8.3-16.1) | 14.8 (11.3 to 18.3) | MD, 2.6 (−2.7 to 7.9) | .76 |
| OMEs prescribed at discharge, mg | ||||
| Mean (95% CI) | 40.4 (39.6-41.2) | 341.2 (310.2 to 372.2) | MD, 300.8 (269.4 to 332.3) | <.001 |
| Median (IQR) | 40 (40-40) | 300 (300 to 450) | ||
| Patient-reported satisfaction at 6 wk, No. (%) | OR, 1.2 (0.5 to 3.1) | .90 | ||
| Satisfied (always, usually) | 79 (83.2) | 79 (80.6) | ||
| Unsatisfied (sometimes, never) | 9 (9.5) | 11 (11.2) | ||
| Opioid refill requests completed, No. (%) | 2 (2.1) | 6 (6.2) | OR, 3.07 (0.6 to 15.6) | .16 |
| Any adverse events, No. (%) | 3 (3.2) | 2 (2.1) | OR, 0.65 (0.1 to 4.0) | .63 |
Abbreviations: MD, mean difference; OR, odds ratio; OMEs; oral morphine equivalents; VAS, visual analog scale.
a
The t test was used for comparing means of continuous variables; Mann-Whitney U test, for medians of continuous variables; and the Pearson χ2test, for categorical variables.
b
Mann-Whitney U, z = −6.55.
c
Patients were instructed to draw a line on VAS scale (range, 0-100; 0, no pain; 100, the worst pain possible) to indicate their pain level.
d
t Test, t = .911.