MULTIDISCIPLINARY PAIN ABSTRACTS: 9

The aim of this study was to identify characteristics of patients treated with opioids that distinguish them from similar patients not treated with opioids in a large population of patients with spine and radicular pain, and to determine the prevalence of opioid use. Overall, 3.4% of the patients had opioids included in their plan of care. There was no difference in age, gender, education, or compensation status between the two groups. Patients were more likely to be treated if the duration of their symptoms had been less than 3 months. However, 75% of the patients with opioids in their plan had experienced symptoms longer than 3 months. A greater incidence of objective findings was identified in the opioid group. The authors cannot comment on the prevalence of opioid use because, to the best of their knowledge, no other similar studies are available for comparison.