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Use of opioids before hospitalization and risk of critical illness

New PhD thesis from DCE looks at use of opioids prior to hospital admission among the nonsurgical critically ill in relation to risk and prognosis

2018.12.20 | Tina Christensen

Use of opioids prior to hospital admission is associated with poor prognosis and increased risk of critical illness. That is reported in a PhD thesis by PhD student at DCE Troels Munch, who is defended his dissertation today.

Morphine-like compounds, so-called opioids, are frequently used pain medication in the treatment of both acute and chronic pain. Opioids are known to be addictive. Additional side-effects on the cerebral, respiratory, and gastric system are also well-established. Recent evidence has indicated that opioids may also exert an effect on the hormonal, the immune, and the cardiovascular system. These side-effects could potentially increase risk of developing critical illness as well as lead to a poorer prognosis.

Troels and colleagues conducted two studies of the impact of use of prescribed opioids prior to hospital admission on the prognosis following admission to an intensive-care unit and following myocardial infarction. They also conducted a study of risk of developing pneumonia requiring hospital-admission following initiation of prescription-opioid use.

They found that users of preadmission prescribed opioid generally suffered a poorer prognosis following critical illness as well as were at an increased risk of developing pneumonia requiring hospital admission.

Research, PhD students, Dept Clin Epi, Dept Clin Epi, Technical / administrative staff, Academic staff