Variables Associated with Prescription Opioid Misuse in Individuals with Chronic Noncancer Pain

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Current research highlights the importance of assessing the risk of opioid misuse in people with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) before initiating treatment with these medications. Existing instruments to assess this risk demonstrate limited predictive capacity and lack psychological variables that previous research has found to be associated with opioid misuse. The research reported here aimed to develop an instrument to measure the risk of prescription opioid misuse and evaluate its psychometric properties. METHODS: The internal structure of the new instrument was examined using confirmatory factor analysis. Analyses were performed on the polychoric correlation matrix of the instrument items, employing maximum likelihood and robust estimation methods. Cronbach's α and corrected item-factor correlations were calculated to assess internal consistency. Correlation analyses were conducted to test criterion and predictive validity. Finally, a prospective analysis was performed to determine its predictive validity. RESULTS: The Prescription Opioid Misuse Risk Detection Scale (Spanish acronym: EDRIMO) is a 25-item instrument with a unidimensional structure, good internal consistency, excellent test-retest reliability, good levels of validity, high sensitivity, and a moderate level of specificity. DISCUSSION: The EDRIMO was designed for easy administration to facilitate its use in clinical settings. It could provide clinicians with information on areas that may increase patients' risk of misuse, which should be addressed before prescribing opioids.