Prescription of opioid analgesics and related harms in Australia.

摘要: Objective: To document trends in: (i) prescribing of morphine and oxycodone; (ii) hospital separations for overdose; (iii) presentations treatment of problems associated with these drugs; (iv) oxycodone-related mortality data in Australia. Design setting: Cross-sectional study analysing prescriptions morphine and oxycodone based on figures adjusted using Australian Bureau Statistics estimated resident population prospectively collected data from: the National Hospital Morbidity Database primarily attributed to poisoning opioids other than heroin ("other opioids"); (ii) the Alcohol Other Drug Treatment National Minimum Data Set treatment episodes where or were the primary drugs of concern; Coronial Information System deaths where oxycodone was underlying cause death a contributory factor. Main outcome measures: Population-adjusted numbers for morphine by 10-year age group, for "other opioid" poisoning, episodes related or oxycodone; number deaths. Results: Prescriptions declined, while those oxycodone increased. both highest among older Australians. Hospital separations "other doubled between financial years 2005–06 2006–07. remained stable, while increased. There 465 deaths recorded during 2001–2009. Conclusions: Oxycodone Australia have increased, particularly among The increase may, part, reflect appropriate prescribing pain an ageing population. However we are unable to differentiate non-medical use from appropriate this data. In comparison heroin, morbidity mortality is relatively low Australia. is continued need comprehensive training of general practitioners assessing patients chronic non-malignant pain and patients, minimise potential harms associated medications.