This study examines the association between prescribed opioid doses and the risk of opioid overdose among patients with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP). Using data from the Group Health Cooperative, researchers identified 9940 individuals who received at least three opioid prescriptions within 90 days for CNCP between 1997 and 2005. The primary outcomes were non-fatal and fatal overdoses, which were identified through diagnostic codes and confirmed by medical record review. Key findings include: - The annual overdose rate was 148 per 100,000 person-years overall, with a higher rate of serious overdoses at 116 per 100,000 person-years. - The annual overdose rate was significantly higher among patients receiving medically prescribed opioids (256 per 100,000 person-years) compared to those not recently receiving opioids (36 per 100,000 person-years). - Patients receiving higher opioid doses (100 mg or more per day) had an 8.9-fold increase in overdose risk compared to those receiving lower doses (1-20 mg per day). - The risk of overdose increased with higher opioid doses, with a 3.7-fold increase in overdose risk for patients receiving 50-99 mg per day. - The study suggests that patients receiving higher doses of prescribed opioids are at increased risk of opioid overdose, highlighting the need for close supervision and careful instruction in appropriate use, especially for those on higher dose regimens. The study provides the first estimates of the relationship between prescribed opioid dose and overdose risk in a chronic pain population, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and managing opioid therapy for patients with CNCP.This study examines the association between prescribed opioid doses and the risk of opioid overdose among patients with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP). Using data from the Group Health Cooperative, researchers identified 9940 individuals who received at least three opioid prescriptions within 90 days for CNCP between 1997 and 2005. The primary outcomes were non-fatal and fatal overdoses, which were identified through diagnostic codes and confirmed by medical record review. Key findings include: - The annual overdose rate was 148 per 100,000 person-years overall, with a higher rate of serious overdoses at 116 per 100,000 person-years. - The annual overdose rate was significantly higher among patients receiving medically prescribed opioids (256 per 100,000 person-years) compared to those not recently receiving opioids (36 per 100,000 person-years). - Patients receiving higher opioid doses (100 mg or more per day) had an 8.9-fold increase in overdose risk compared to those receiving lower doses (1-20 mg per day). - The risk of overdose increased with higher opioid doses, with a 3.7-fold increase in overdose risk for patients receiving 50-99 mg per day. - The study suggests that patients receiving higher doses of prescribed opioids are at increased risk of opioid overdose, highlighting the need for close supervision and careful instruction in appropriate use, especially for those on higher dose regimens. The study provides the first estimates of the relationship between prescribed opioid dose and overdose risk in a chronic pain population, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and managing opioid therapy for patients with CNCP.