Researchers found that the number of outpatient visits for abdominal pain decreased over time from 14.8 million visits in 1997 to 1999 to 12.2 million visits in 2006 through 2008. However, outpatient visits when an opioid was prescribed for abdominal pain increased from 5.9 percent in 1997 through 1999 to 12.2 percent in 2006 through 2008.
Researchers noted that the surge in prescriptions has been problematic, particularly because no study has shown opioids to be effective for treating chronic abdominal pain. To the contrary, opioids have been shown to worsen gastrointestinal symptoms when used over time.
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