60% Of Medicare Beneficiaries With End Stage Renal Disease Prescribed Opioids

More than 60% of Medicare beneficiaries with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and over half of those on dialysis were prescribed at least one opioid prescription every year during 2006 through 2010. About 20% of beneficiaries with ESRD had a prescription for more than 90 days in 2010; the most common prescriptions were for hydrocodone, oxycodone, or tramadol. In 2010, mortality rates were higher among those taking opioids short-term (less than 90 days) or long-term, than those who did not. Those taking opioids also had higher rates of dialysis discontinuation and hospitalization.

These findings were reported in “Opioid . . .