Review of Neurologic Comorbidities in Hospitalized Patients with Opioid Abuse

Abstract

AbstractPurpose of review:Determine the prevalence and burden of neurological comorbidities in hospitalized patients with opioid abuse.Recent findings:From one year of hospital discharges 2,182 opioid abuse patients were identified (prevalence 6.3%), with abuse greater among younger patients (p<0.0001), women (p<0.0001), whites (p<0.0001), and urban population (p=0.028). Matching for age, sex, race, and urban-rural residence, 347 patients were reviewed and 179 (52%) had a neurological comorbidity. The comorbidities frequently overlapped and included: encephalopathy (130), neuromuscular disorders (42), seizures (23), spine disorders (23), strokes (20), central nervous system infections (3), and movement disorders (2). Abuse patients with neurologic comorbidities experienced substantially greater number of hospital and intensive care unit days and mortality, independent of overdose.Summary:Neurological comorbidities are a frequent and heretofore underappreciated contributor to the disease burden of hospitalized patients with opioid abuse. The importance of neurological comorbidities should be included in the public health discussions surrounding the opioid epidemic.