Article Impact Level: HIGH Data Quality: STRONG Summary of Internal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.5346 Dr. Ulrike Muench et al.
Points
- Opioid prescribing patterns in US nursing homes were examined from two thousand eleven to two thousand twenty-two.
- The study analyzed opioid use for all nursing home residents and specifically by race, ethnicity, and pain level.
- Previous guidelines, like the two thousand sixteen Opioid Prescribing Guideline, significantly reduced opioid use in primary care.
- Pain is often undertreated in nursing homes, especially among racially and ethnically minoritized groups, who report more severe pain.
- The research aims to understand how opioid prescribing has changed in nursing homes compared to primary care settings.
Summary
This study investigated opioid prescribing patterns within United States nursing homes from two thousand eleven to two thousand twenty-two, examining trends across all residents and disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and reported pain levels. This research aimed to address a notable gap in the literature concerning the impact of opioid prescribing guidelines, such as the two thousand sixteen Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain, on long-term care facilities, especially given existing evidence of pain undertreatment in nursing homes, particularly among racially and ethnically minoritized groups.
The investigation encompassed a comprehensive analysis of prescription data, seeking to determine if the observed reductions in opioid use in primary care settings, influenced by various policy efforts, were mirrored in nursing home environments. A specific focus was placed on identifying disparities in opioid prescribing for racially and ethnically minoritized residents, who anecdotally report more severe pain compared to non-Hispanic White individuals, yet often face challenges in adequate pain management within these facilities.
The findings from this twelve-year data analysis will provide crucial insights into the evolving landscape of pain management and opioid utilization in United States nursing homes. By detailing prescribing trends by race, ethnicity, and pain level, the study contributes to understanding potential inequities in care delivery. These insights are essential for informing policy adjustments and clinical guidelines aimed at ensuring equitable and effective pain management for all nursing home residents.
Link to the article: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2840372
References
Muench, U., Jura, M., Harrison, K. L., Rodin, R., Li, L., Smith, A. K., Covinsky, K. E., & Hunt, L. J. (2025). Opioid prescribing patterns in us nursing homes by race and ethnicity. JAMA Internal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.5346
