Patterns of opioid prescriptions received prior to unintentional prescription opioid overdose death among Veterans

Background: Few studies have assessed prescription opioid supply preceding death in individuals dying from unintentional prescription opioid overdoses, or described the characteristics of these individuals, particularly among Veterans. Objectives: To describe the history of prescription opioid supply preceding prescription opioid overdose death among Veterans. Methods: In a national cohort of Veterans who filled ≥1 opioid prescriptions from the Veterans Health Administration (VA) or Medicare Part D during 2008–2013, we identified deaths from unintentional or undetermined-intent prescription opioid overdoses in 2012–2013. We captured opioid prescriptions using both linked VA and Part D data, and VA data only. Results: Among 1181 decedents, 643 (54.4%) had prescription opioid supply on the day of death, and 735 (62.2%) within 30 days based on linked data, compared to 40.1% and 46.7%, respectively, using VA data alone. Decedents with prescription opioid supply were significantly older and less likely to have alcohol or illicit drugs as co-occurring substances involved in the overdose. Using linked data, 241 (20.4%) decedents lacked prescription opioid supply within a year of death. Conclusions: Many VA patients who die from prescription opioid overdose receive opioid prescriptions outside VA or not at all. It is important to supplement VA with non-VA data to more accurately measure prescription opioid exposure and improve opioid medication safety.