WATCH OUT FOR INCREASED ADDICTION TO PAIN KILLERS IN IBD

Pain killers are bad for you. We know that, but they are often used for IBD flares or after surgery. A recent study (MR Noureldn and others, Alimentary Pharmacology Ther. 2019; pages 74–83) looked at how often opioids (often known as narcotics) <<above>> were used during a IBD flare <<IBD flare>> and whether it was possible to predict who would be more likely to remain on the medicines and become addicted. To do that, they used insurance records and found over 15,000 people with IBD who had been given opioids and steroids during a flare.   

Their Findings:

• 5411 (35.8%) had never been on opioids before (average age was 44 yrs). 
• That also means that it wasn't the first time for 64% (almost 10,000 others)
• Of those who had never been on opioids, 35.0% continued using them after their flare
• Those with a history of depression were 29% more likely to become addicted
• Those abusing other drugs were 36% more likely to become addicted
• Those with Crohn's disease were 26 % more likely to stay on longer; those with indeterminate colitis were 60% more like to continue; and those with chronic lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD) were 17% more likely

As chilling as those numbers are for addiction, another study showed addiction is even a problem in children and teens (JP Buckley and others, Clinical Gastroenterology Hepatology, 2015, pages 310-15). These researchers also used insurance records and identified over 4300 children with IBD who underwent surgery. They found that 5.6% of kids having IBD surgery got at least 3 refills for opioids. Of particular concern was that children with depression or anxiety were almost 3 times more likely to become addicted than children without psychological issues.