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Impacts of Hydrocodone Rescheduling on Prescription Opioid Use Among Older Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract Number:

2636 

Submission Type:

Contributed Abstract 

Contributed Abstract Type:

Paper 

Participants:

Chan Shen (1), Mohammad Ikram (1), Douglas Leslie (1), Shouhao Zhou (1), Roger Klein (2), J. Douglas Thornton (3)

Institutions:

(1) Penn State University, N/A, (2) Rutgers University, N/A, (3) University of Houston, N/A

Co-Author(s):

Mohammad Ikram  
Penn State University
Douglas Leslie  
Penn State University
Shouhao Zhou  
Penn State University
Roger Klein  
Rutgers University
J. Douglas Thornton  
University of Houston

First Author:

Chan Shen  
Penn State University

Presenting Author:

Chan Shen  
Penn State University

Abstract Text:

Introduction: The 2014 rescheduling of hydrocodone aimed to reduce opioid misuse, but its impact on cancer patient prescriptions is under-researched. This study examines the effects of this policy change on opioid prescriptions in older breast cancer patients.
Methods: We analyzed SEER-Medicare data for female patients aged 65+ diagnosed with invasive breast cancer (2011-2018), focusing on hydrocodone and other opioid prescriptions within one year post-diagnosis. Logistic regression models were used, adjusting for demographics, clinical characteristics, and time trends.
Results: Of 79,899 patients, 45.3% received hydrocodone and 47.7% other opioids. The multivariable logistic regression showed that post-rescheduling, hydrocodone prescriptions decreased significantly (OR=0.78, p<0.001), while non-hydrocodone opioid prescriptions increased (OR=1.23, p<0.001).
Conclusion: The rescheduling led to reduced hydrocodone prescriptions among older breast cancer patients but increased non-hydrocodone opioid prescriptions, indicating a shift in prescribing patterns. This highlights the effects of policy changes on prescription behavior in oncology.

Keywords:

policy change|breast cancer|SEER-Medicare|opioid use|oncology|large observational data

Sponsors:

Health Policy Statistics Section

Tracks:

Miscellaneous

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