2017
Impact of the Opioid Safety Initiative on opioid-related prescribing in veterans
Lin LA, Bohnert ASB, Kerns RD, Clay MA, Ganoczy D, Ilgen MA. Impact of the Opioid Safety Initiative on opioid-related prescribing in veterans. Pain 2017, 158: 833-839. PMID: 28240996, DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000837.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid Safety InitiativeVeterans Health AdministrationConcurrent benzodiazepineDaily opioid dosageElectronic medical record dataOutpatient opioid prescriptionsSafe opioid prescribingOpioid prescribing practicesMedical record dataInterrupted time series analysisSafety initiativesOpioid dosageOpioid prescribingOpioid prescriptionsOpioid regimensOutpatient prescribingVHA patientsPrescribing practicesVHA facilitiesAdverse outcomesSafe prescribingSystem-wide initiativesPrescribingPatientsOpioids
2016
Association between pain outcomes and race and opioid treatment: Retrospective cohort study of Veterans
Burgess DJ, Gravely AA, Nelson DB, Bair MJ, Kerns RD, Higgins DM, Farmer MM, Partin MR. Association between pain outcomes and race and opioid treatment: Retrospective cohort study of Veterans. The Journal Of Rehabilitation Research And Development 2016, 53: 13-24. PMID: 26933921, DOI: 10.1682/jrrd.2014.10.0252.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRetrospective cohort studyIndex visitOpioid prescriptionsPain outcomesCohort studyMusculoskeletal painPain treatmentPain interferenceBenefits of opioidsElectronic medical record dataGreater pain interferencePharmacologic pain treatmentsChronic noncancer painVeterans Affairs patientsChronic musculoskeletal painMedical record dataNoncancer painOpioid treatmentMost patientsVA patientsVA SurveyAlternative treatmentPatientsSignificant associationPain
2014
Persistent Pain and Comorbidity Among Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn Veterans
Higgins DM, Kerns RD, Brandt CA, Haskell SG, Bathulapalli H, Gilliam W, Goulet JL. Persistent Pain and Comorbidity Among Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn Veterans. Pain Medicine 2014, 15: 782-790. PMID: 24548466, DOI: 10.1111/pme.12388.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAfghan Campaign 2001-Chronic PainComorbidityDepressive DisorderFemaleHumansIraq War, 2003-2011Logistic ModelsLongitudinal StudiesMaleMiddle AgedMultivariate AnalysisObesityPrevalenceStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticSubstance-Related DisordersUnited StatesUnited States Department of Veterans AffairsVeteransConceptsVeterans Health AdministrationTraumatic brain injuryPersistent painBody mass indexMental health conditionsChronic painOperation Enduring FreedomHealth conditionsElectronic medical record dataChronic pain conditionsPredictors of incidentMedical record dataLongitudinal clinical dataImportant clinical implicationsSubstance use disordersOEF/OIF/OND veteransPost-traumatic stress disorderArmy service membersLogistic regression modelsPain conditionsComorbid conditionsClinical evidenceMass indexBrain injuryClinical dataRacial Differences in Prescription of Opioid Analgesics for Chronic Noncancer Pain in a National Sample of Veterans
Burgess DJ, Nelson DB, Gravely AA, Bair MJ, Kerns RD, Higgins DM, van Ryn M, Farmer M, Partin MR. Racial Differences in Prescription of Opioid Analgesics for Chronic Noncancer Pain in a National Sample of Veterans. Journal Of Pain 2014, 15: 447-455. PMID: 24440840, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2013.12.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChronic noncancer painPain intensity ratingsPrescription of opioidsNoncancer painOpioid prescriptionsRacial differencesVeterans Affairs Health Care SystemIntensity ratingsElectronic medical record dataRetrospective cohort studyPain intensity scoresPrimary care patientsMedical record dataYears of agePossible racial differencesHealth care facilitiesSignificant racial differencesSystem-level factorsHealth care systemPatients 65Cohort studyJoint painPatient ageCare patientsOpioid analgesics