Do Must-Access Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) Affect Pain and Physical Impairment Outcomes in Older Adults?
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Background
State policies requiring clinicians to review prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) databases have proliferated. Patient advocates warn that such policies may reduce quality of life for some patients.
Objectives
To quantify the relationship between must-access PDMPs and pain and physical impairment outcomes.
Research Design
Using Health and Retirement Survey (HRS) data on older adults in the US from 2002-2021, we conducted a heterogeneity-robust difference-in-differences analysis.
Results
The population included 34,431 individuals with an average age of 67. Must-access PDMPs were initially associated with 1.65 (95% CI: 0.43 - 2.87) to 3.52 (95% CI: 0.88 - 6.16) percentage point increases in the reports of frequent pain. However, the effect dissipated over time. Effects on the impairment outcomes were positive but statistically insignificant.
Conclusions
Must-access PDMP policies are associated with an initial increase in frequent pain reported by older adults. No significant effects on physical impairment outcomes were found. Continued research examining the role of PDMPs on patient health outcomes is warranted.
