J Occup Environ Med

ObjectiveTo appreciate the impact of the opioid epidemic in workers, we described opioid prescription patterns in a U.S. industrial cohort over a ten-year period and assessed predictors of chronic prescription.MethodsA multiyear (2003\u20132013) cross-sectional analysis of employer-sponsored health care claims for enrolled workers (N: 21,357- 44,769) was performed.ResultsThe proportion of workers prescribed opioids nearly doubled in the ten-year period. The strongest predictor of chronic opioid prescribing was year, with an increase in prescriptions each year from 2003 to 2013 (OR= 2.90, 95% CI: 2.41\u20133.48). Additional predictors included older age, white race, hourly wage, low back pain, and osteoarthritis.ConclusionsOpioid prescribing for industrial workers substantially increased from 2003 to 2013. Occupational health professionals should be aware of the potential for chronic opioid use among workers to assess job safety and appropriate treatment of work-related injuries.R01 AG026291/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United StatesR01 OH009939/OH/NIOSH CDC HHS/United StatesT01 OH008607/OH/NIOSH CDC HHS/United StatesT03 OH008607/OH/NIOSH CDC HHS/United States2019-05-01T00:00:00Z29135839PMC59431406242vault:2955