Identifying Risk Factors For Persistent Opioid Use Following Major Cancer Surgery

DESCRIPTION
This project will develop predictive models of transition to opioid use in cancer patients using big data approaches. Opioid treatment is a standard of care for acute post-surgical pain. Most research on risk and mitigation factors for persistent opioid usage after surgery has focused on non-cancer patients. Few studies have directly compared rates of transition to persistent use following surgery in matched samples of cancer and non-cancer patients. In addition, understanding the factors that predict who is most likely to transition to persistent opioid use is essential for risk stratification and prescribing decisions among patients with cancer.

IMPACT
This study is currently in progress.

PEOPLE
Mary Falcone, PhD; Chongliang Luo, PhD; Yong Chen, PhD; David Birtwell; Peter E. Gabriel; MD, MSE; Lifang He, PhD; Emily Ko, MD, MSCE; Danielle L. Mowery PhD; E. Carter Paulson, MD, MSCE; Emily Schriver, MS; Robert Schnoll, PhD; Justin Bekelman, MD; and Caryn Lerman, PhD.

PARTNERS
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Abramson Cancer Center, and the Departments of Psychiatry, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Surgery, all at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

FUNDING
National Cancer Institute

FOCUS
Clinical Transformation