While chronic opioid use among patients with musculoskeletal pain declined overall, the risk for chronic use was highest among those with low back and multiple anatomical site pain, according to findings published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

“Musculoskeletal pain is a common condition, and patients who have it may transition to chronic opioid use,” Jasmin Moshfegh, MA, MSc, research analyst at Stanford University School of Medicine, and colleagues wrote. “However, the risk and risk factors for chronic opioid use among patients with new musculoskeletal pain are not fully understood.”