Problems and adverse reactions related to opioid analgesics in Colombia
Introduction. The prevalence of pathologies that generate chronic pain is high (10-40%), as is the use of opioids. In Colombia, these drugs rank among the first in terms of prescriptions and the number of deaths related to their consumption is rising (0.71/1,000,000 inhabitants). This study seeks to characterise opioid-related problems (ORP) and the variables associated with their resolution.
Materials and methods. It is a study based on secondary information. Incidences were calculated using Ministry of Health data and characteristics related to non-recoverable adverse reactions (ADRs) were determined.
Results. Altogether 4,437 problems were identified in 3,063 patients (39.51%, male), adults (45 years old; IQR: 29-62). The most common opioids were tramadol (46.49%, 5 mg; IQR: 5-5) and morphine (19.65%, 3 mg; IQR: 2.6-5). The majority of ORP were ADRs (93.15%) and of these, 32.28% were severe. Women had proportionally more gastrointestinal and neurological disorders, while men had a higher frequency of vascular, psychiatric, urinary and haematological problems (p < 0.05). These reactions did not resolve in 8.39%, and prognosis was associated with oral administration – odds ratio (OR): 9.24; 95% confidence interval (CI 95%): 6.36-13.42; severity (OR: 3.96; CI 95%: 2.71-5.76); age (OR: 1.01; CI 95%: 1.001-1.01); weak opioids (OR: 0.57; CI 95%: 0.4-0.84); and neurological-cardiovascular reactions (OR: 0.36; CI 95%: 0.21-0.61).
Conclusions. Interventions to optimise the prescription of opioids should be encouraged to prevent ADRs with poor prognosis. Studies should be conducted to further investigate the impact of gender and route of administration on the occurrence of ADRs, as well as the severity of skin and gastrointestinal problems, which may be underestimated.
Key words. [DeCS] System. Analgesics. Opioids. Pain. Pharmacovigilance. Side effects.
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