(120) Opioid Prescription Claims among Medicaid Enrolled Children and Young Adults with Sickle Cell Disease in North Carolina

• Published in: The journal of pain Vol. 20; no. 4; p. S6
• Main Authors: Crego, N., Douglas, C., Shah, N., Knisely, M., Bonnabeua, E., Earls, M., Eason, K., Merwin, E., Tanabe, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.04.2019
• ISSN: 1526-5900; 1528-8447
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2019.01.039

Little is known about exposure to opioids among children and young adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). The purpose of this study was to describe opioid prescription claims of Medicaid enrolled children and young adults with SCD in North Carolina (NC). We examined Medicaid claims for 2,850 enrollees (March 2016 – February 2017) with SCD in NC. The sample included 0 to 22 year olds (n= 1,560), Pre-School [0-5 years], n=428; School Age [6-10 years], n=366; Middle School [11-14 years], n=261; Adolescent [15-18 years], n=284; and Young Adult [19-22 years], n=221). We evaluated number of opioid prescription claims and days filled across age groups. 38% (n=586) of the sample had at least one opioid prescription filled. The highest rates of opioid prescription claims were in Adolescents, 54% (n=154) had at least one opioid prescription claim. 20% of Pre-School age, 32% of the School-Age group, 45% of Middle School age, and 50% of Young Adults had at least one claim. Number of days filled were categorized into 1-30, 31-90 and >90 days and age categories were collapsed to 0-14 (n=322) and 15-22 (n=264). 1-30 day fills were highest for 0-14 year-olds 89% (n=285) and 64% (n=169) for 15- 22 year olds. 31 to 90 day fills were highest in 15 -22 year olds 19% (n=49) and 11% (n= 36) in 0 to 14 year olds. The 15- 22 year olds had the highest >90 day fills 7% (n=18), and 0.3% (n=1) of the 0 -14 year olds. These findings indicate that opioid prescription claims are prevalent across all age groups, with rates and fill days of opioid prescriptions increasing with age. Early, continuous assessment for opioid abuse and misuse is needed across all ages in people with SCD. Supported by National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (R18 RHS024501A).