Frequency, predictors, and outcomes of urine drug test among patients with advanced cancer on chronic opioid therapy at an outpatient supportive care clinic.

Authors

Joseph Arthur

Joseph Anthony Arthur

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Joseph Anthony Arthur, Tonya Edwards, David Hui, Jessica Marie Waletich-Flemming, Suresh K. Reddy, Diane D Liu, Jimin Wu, Eduardo Bruera

Organizations

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bellaire, TX, Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Research Funding

Other

Background: Data on the utilization and outcomes of urine drug tests (UDT) among advanced cancer patients is limited. The main objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with UDT ordering and results in advanced cancer outpatients. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 1058 patients seen from March 2014 to November 2015 at an outpatient supportive care clinic was conducted. Sixty-one patients on chronic opioid therapy who underwent UDT were identified. A control group of 120 patients who did not undergo UDT was selected for comparison of information on demographic and clinical characteristics. Results: 61/1058 patients (6%) underwent UDT. 33/61 patients (54%) had abnormal results. Multivariate analysis found that the odds ratio for UDT ordering was 3.9 in CAGE positive patients (p = 0.002), 4.41 in patients less than 45years (p < 0.001), 5.58 in patients with moderate to severe pain (ESAS pain score ≥ 4) (p < 0.001), 0.27 in patients with advanced cancer stage, (p = 0.008), and 0.25 in patients with moderate to severe fatigue (p = 0.001). Among 52 abnormal UDT results in 33 patients, the most common opioid findings were: prescribed opioids absent in urine (14/52, 27%) and un-prescribed opioids in urine (13/52, 25%). Conclusions: UDT was used infrequently among advanced cancer patients receiving outpatient chronic opioid therapy. Younger age, CAGE positivity, early cancer stage or NED status, higher pain intensity, and lower fatigue were significant predictors of UDT ordering. More than 50% of UDTs were abnormal. More research is necessary to better characterize aberrant opioid use in advanced cancer patients.

Disclaimer

This material on this page is ©2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology, all rights reserved. Licensing available upon request. For more information, please contact licensing@asco.org

Abstract Details

Meeting

2016 Palliative and Supportive Care in Oncology Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session A

Track

Evaluation and Assessment of Patient Symptoms and Quality of Life,Integration and Delivery of Palliative Care in Cancer Care

Sub Track

Symptoms

Citation

J Clin Oncol 34, 2016 (suppl 26S; abstr 94)

DOI

10.1200/jco.2016.34.26_suppl.94

Abstract #

94

Poster Bd #

D1

Abstract Disclosures

Similar Abstracts

First Author: Desiree Rachel Azizoddin

First Author: Sara Marie DeForge

First Author: Andrea de la O Murillo

First Author: Desiree Rachel Azizoddin