Background:

The incidence of chronic opioid use (COU) is increasing with health related complications impacting both patients and healthcare services.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to identify the impact of COU on postoperative urinary retention (PUR) in patients following lumbar fusion surgery as well as its impact on length of stay (LOS) and non-routine discharges (NRD).

Materials & methods:

The State Inpatient Databases were utilised to identify patients undergoing elective lumbar fusion procedures. Patients with and without COU were separated into groups and matched using 3:1 propensity score matching. PUR, LOS in the upper quartile and discharge to a location other than home were the outcomes of interest. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the impact of COU on the above outcomes and Wald chi-square tests were used to determine the factors with the most significant associations.

Results:

COU was significant for PUR (p = 0.037), prolonged LOS (p < 0.001), and NRD (p < 0.001). Factors most significantly associated with PUR were Elixhauser Mortality Index and COU both with p < 0.05. Factors associated with prolonged LOS and NRD were Elixhauser Mortality Index, COU, and insurance status.

Conclusion:

COU has a notable impact on PUR, LOS, and NRD. The Elixhauser Mortality Index and insurance status of patients also showed predictive utility for these outcomes. This knowledge enables us to identify sources of pressure for health services and approach them strategically through increased awareness.