Researching links between opioid use and cost

Study uses severity-adjusted episode data

This study evaluated the severity-adjusted cost difference between opioid users and non-users. It specifically looked at U.S. patients within large commercial health plans that had conservatively managed degenerative joint disease of the spine.

Using Symmetry Episode Treatment Groups, researchers found the data suggests a clinically and statistically significant increase in episode costs associated with opioid use for degenerative joint disease of the spine, and higher costs with a longer duration of opioid use.

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