The researchers found that within 10 years of diagnosis, 5 percent IBD patients became heavy opioid users, defined as continuous use for 30 days at a dose more than 50mg of morphine per day. Moderate use of opioids prior to diagnosis strongly indicated future heavy use. The study also found a strong association between heavy opioid use and mortality.
The study demonstrates IBD is an independent risk factor for becoming a heavy opioid user, and heavy use is strongly linked to mortality in IBD patients .
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