02 Sep Repeat Urine Drug Testing Can Improve Compliance of Patients on Opioid Medications

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. N. Nick Knezevic

N. Nick Knezevic, MD, PhD
Vice Chair for Research and Education
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Surgery at University of Illinois
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
Department of Anesthesiology
Chicago, IL 60657

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: Even though serious efforts have been undertaken by different medical societies to reduce opioid use for treating chronic non-cancer pain, still many Americans seek pain relief through opioid consumption. The purpose of this study was to accurately assess compliance of chronic opioid consuming patients in an outpatient setting and evaluate if utilizing repeated urine drug testing could improve compliance.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Response: We found that 77.2% of our patients were compliant with prescribed medications; 8.2% of patients were tested positive for opioid medications that were prescribed by other physicians and that was discovered in Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program (IPMP); 1.6% positive for medications that were not present in the IPMP; 1% of patients were tested negative for prescribed opioids; and 12% of patients were positive for illicit drugs (8.6% marijuana, 3.2% cocaine, and 0.2% heroine). Repeated urine drug testing following patients education showed 63.6% had improved complaints.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Results of our study showed that repeated urine drug testing can improve drug compliance of patients on opioid medications. Urine drug testing should be used as an important adjunctive tool to help guide opioid therapy management.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: The only remaining question is how frequently we should repeat urine drug tests.Future research should focus on what the optimal frequency of this test should be.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

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Citation:

2016 World Congress of Anaesthesiologists abstract:

Repeated Quantitative Urine Toxicology Analysis Can Improve Patients’ Compliance

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

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Last Updated on September 2, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD