Retrospectively evaluating trends in opioid prescriptions and medication-assisted treatment in a mid-Michigan region

Objective: To evaluate opioid prescribing and monitoring trends for musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions and the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid-related disorders in mid-Michigan.Design: Retrospective chart review of 500 randomly selected charts coded for MSK conditions and opioid-related disorders based on the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) codes during the time frame of January 1 to June 30, 2019. Data were compared to baseline data collected in a previous 2016 study to evaluate prescribing trends.Setting: Outpatient clinics and emergency departments.Main outcome measures: Variables included prescription of opioid, nonopioid, use of prescription monitoring such as assessing urine drug screens (UDSs), a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), pain agreements, prescription of MAT, and sociodemographic factors.Results: 31.3 percent of patients in 2019 had a new or current opioid prescription, which is a significant decrease compared to opioid prescriptions in 2016 (65.7 percent) (p = 0.001). Monitoring of opioid prescribing using PDMP and pain agreements increased, whereas UDS monitoring remained low. MAT prescribing for patients with opioid use disorder in 2019 was 31.4 percent. State-sponsored insurance was associated with a higher odds of using PDMP and pain agreements with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.72 (0.97, 3.13), while alcohol misuse had a lower odds of using PDMP (OR 0.40).Conclusion: Opioid prescribing guidelines have been effective in reducing opioid prescribing and increasing opioid prescription monitoring. MAT prescribing is low in 2019 and does not reflect a declining trend of opioid prescriptions during a public health crisis.