The association between severity of depression and prescription opioid misuse among chronic pain patients with and without anxiety: A cross-sectional study

Background: In light of the increased rates of Prescription Opioid (PO) misuse and associated mortality in several developed countries in recent years, efforts have been made to identify populations who may be at increased risk for misuse of POs. Though the association between depression and PO misuse among pain patients is well documented, little is known regarding the effects of severity of depression on rates of misuse. In this study we explored rates of PO misuse among chronic pain patients screening positive for depression according to level of severity. Methods: Participants included chronic pain patients receiving POs (N = 554). All participants were screened for depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9; cut-off scores of 5, 10, 15, and 20 for mild, moderate, moderate-severe and severe depression, respectively) and for opioid misuse using the Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM). Logistic regression analyses controlling for additional sociodemographic and clinical factors were conducted. Results: Participants who screened positive for depression were at significantly increased odds to screen positive for opioid misuse (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 3.63; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.71–7.7) compared to those without depression. Severity of depression was significantly associated with increased odds for opioid misuse for moderate (AOR = 3.71; 95% CI = 1.01–13.76), moderate-severe (AOR = 6.28; 95% CI = 1.6–24.57) and severe (AOR = 14.66; 95% CI = 3.28–65.52) depression but not among those who screened positive for mild depression (AOR = 1.49; 95% CI = 0.39–5.68). Limitations: Cross-sectional study. Conclusions: Our results highlight the need to properly asses and address level of severity of co-morbid depression among chronic pain patients receiving POs.