A study published in Ann Intern Med (2010) examined the association between chronic opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) and the risk of opioid overdose. The study analyzed data from 9940 patients who received three or more opioid prescriptions within 90 days for CNCP between 1997 and 2005. Using Cox proportional hazards models, the researchers estimated the risk of overdose based on average daily opioid dose (morphine equivalents) at the time of overdose. The study found that patients receiving higher doses of opioids (100 mg or more per day) had an 8.9-fold increased risk of overdose compared to those receiving 1-20 mg per day. Patients receiving 50-99 mg per day had a 3.7-fold increased risk. The annual overdose rate was 1.8% for those receiving 100 mg or more, compared to 0.7% for those receiving 50-99 mg and 0.2% for those receiving 1-20 mg. The study also identified 51 opioid-related overdose events, including six fatalities. The researchers concluded that patients receiving higher doses of prescribed opioids are at increased risk of overdose, highlighting the need for close supervision. The study noted that overdose risks may be influenced by patient differences and non-intended use of opioids. The findings suggest that higher opioid doses are associated with increased overdose risk, but the study could not definitively determine whether this was due to dose differences or patient differences. The study also found that most overdoses were non-fatal, with over seven non-fatal overdoses for each fatal overdose. The study emphasized the need for further research to understand the specific determinants of overdose risk among patients receiving chronic opioid therapy.A study published in Ann Intern Med (2010) examined the association between chronic opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) and the risk of opioid overdose. The study analyzed data from 9940 patients who received three or more opioid prescriptions within 90 days for CNCP between 1997 and 2005. Using Cox proportional hazards models, the researchers estimated the risk of overdose based on average daily opioid dose (morphine equivalents) at the time of overdose. The study found that patients receiving higher doses of opioids (100 mg or more per day) had an 8.9-fold increased risk of overdose compared to those receiving 1-20 mg per day. Patients receiving 50-99 mg per day had a 3.7-fold increased risk. The annual overdose rate was 1.8% for those receiving 100 mg or more, compared to 0.7% for those receiving 50-99 mg and 0.2% for those receiving 1-20 mg. The study also identified 51 opioid-related overdose events, including six fatalities. The researchers concluded that patients receiving higher doses of prescribed opioids are at increased risk of overdose, highlighting the need for close supervision. The study noted that overdose risks may be influenced by patient differences and non-intended use of opioids. The findings suggest that higher opioid doses are associated with increased overdose risk, but the study could not definitively determine whether this was due to dose differences or patient differences. The study also found that most overdoses were non-fatal, with over seven non-fatal overdoses for each fatal overdose. The study emphasized the need for further research to understand the specific determinants of overdose risk among patients receiving chronic opioid therapy.