Data describing the relationship between specific traumatic injuries and opioid use is lacking, which is why RAPM is so delighted to support the work of Matthew Mauck, MD, PhD, and colleagues. In this episode of RAPM Focus, RAPM Editor-in-Chief Brian Sites, MD, discusses “Incidence of persistent opioid use following traumatic injury with Dr. Mauck, first published in June 2023.

Dr. Mauck is an assistant professor and vice chair of research for the University of North Carolina’s department of anesthesiology. He is a practicing pain physician, and his main research focus is on preventing the transition of acute to chronic pain following traumatic injury.

Upon individuals hospitalized after surgery, up to 60% continue to experience chronic pain at 12 months. Dr. Mauck and colleagues used insurance claims data from over a 20-year period to estimate the incidents of new persistent opioid use in three hospitalized trauma populations. Burn injury, motor vehicle collision, and orthopedic injury. New persistent opioid use is defined as the receipt of greater than one opioid prescription 90-180 days following injury in an individual with no opioid prescriptions during the year prior.

*The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. The content of this podcast does not constitute medical advice, and it is not intended to function as a substitute for a healthcare practitioner’s judgement, patient care, or treatment. The views expressed by contributors are those of the speakers. BMJ does not endorse any views or recommendations discussed or expressed on this podcast. Listeners should also be aware that professionals in the field may have different opinions. By listening to this podcast, listeners agree not to use its content as the basis for their own medical treatment or for the medical treatment of others.

Podcast and music produced by Dan Langa. Find us on Twitter @RAPMOnline.

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