Temporal Trends in Opioid Use and Associated Outcomes for People with Advanced Cancer
A study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management found that opioid use declined while gabapentinoid use increased among older patients with and without advanced cancer, by analyzing Medicare data from 2012 to 2017. Despite these changes, patients with advanced cancer experienced a greater increase in pain-related emergency visits and opioid-related encounters, suggesting decreased pain control and rising high-risk opioid use.