Abstract

Objective Despite its association with poorer outcomes, opioid use in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is not well characterised in the UK. We aimed to examine the extent of opioid use, the associated factors and the use of mitigation techniques such as pain-service review and opioid weaning plans among individuals with IBD. Methods Data were collected from consecutive patients attending IBD outpatient appointments at 12 UK hospitals. A predefined questionnaire was used to collect data including patient demographics, IBD history, opioid use in the past year (>2 weeks) and opioid-use mitigation techniques. Additionally, consecutive IBD-related hospital stays leading up to July 2019 were reviewed with data collected regarding opioid use at admission, discharge and follow-up as well as details of the admission indication. Results In 1352 outpatients, 12% had used opioids within the past 12 months. Over half of these individuals were taking opioids for non-IBD pain and less than half had undergone an attempted opioid wean. In 324 hospitalised patients, 27% were prescribed opioids at discharge from hospital. At 12 months postdischarge, 11% were using opioids. Factors associated with opioid use in both cohorts included female sex, Crohn’s disease and previous surgery. Conclusions 1 in 10 patients with IBD attending outpatient appointments were opioid exposed in the past year while a quarter of inpatients were discharged with opioids, and 11% continued to use opioids 12 months after discharge. IBD services should aim to identify patients exposed to opioids, reduce exposure where possible and facilitate access to alternative pain management approaches.