Title: |
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Any Use and Frequent Use of Opioids among Elderly Adults in 2015-2016, by Socioeconomic Characteristics |
Description: |
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This Statistical Brief presents estimates from the 2015 and 2016 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component (MEPS-HC) of fills of prescriptions for opioid medications that are commonly used to treat pain. Only prescriptions purchased or obtained in an outpatient setting are included in these estimates. Prescription medicines administered in an inpatient setting or in a clinic or physician's office are excluded. The sample includes all elderly adults (ages 65 and older) in the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population. We examine the average annual percentages of elderly adults in 2015-2016 with any opioid use and with frequent opioid use, which we define as having 4 or more prescription fills or refills during the year. We present overall estimates for the full population of elderly adults and for subgroups defined by sex, race/ethnicity, poverty status, insurance coverage, perceived health status, Census region and MSA status. |
Author(s): |
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Asako S. Moriya, PhD and G. Edward Miller, PhD |
Agency: |
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Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality |