SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Assessing Gabapentinoid Use in Hospitalized, Non-Surgical Patients

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This retrospective cohort study examined gabapentinoid use among 150 adult, non-surgical patients admitted to a general medicine service at a U.S. tertiary hospital. The goal was to describe prescribing patterns, identify indications, and evaluate common complications, especially in the context of known respiratory risks when gabapentinoids are combined with other CNS depressants such as opioids and benzodiazepines.<br /><br />Gabapentinoids were prescribed to 36 patients (24%) during hospitalization; 9 of these were new inpatient prescriptions. Only 3 of the 36 patients (8.3%) received gabapentinoids for an FDA-approved indication, rising to 10 (27.8%) when pregabalin’s indications were included for gabapentin. Patients receiving gabapentinoids were younger on average than those who did not (55.4 vs 63.3 years). Co-prescribing with CNS depressants was common: 41.7% of gabapentinoid users received benzodiazepines versus 21.9% of non-users, and 66.7% received opioids versus 40.4% of non-users. Gabapentinoid users also included a substantial proportion of patients with COPD (33.3%).<br /><br />For secondary outcomes, the study found no significant differences in length of stay, mortality, falls, encephalopathy, or 30-day readmissions, though the sample was too small to detect modest effects. The authors note the study was underpowered and observational, with possible confounding and limited generalizability due to enrollment during a COVID-19 surge.<br /><br />Overall, gabapentinoids were commonly prescribed in hospitalized medical patients, often off-label and frequently alongside opioids and benzodiazepines. The findings support efforts to reduce unnecessary initiation in high-risk patients and to consider deprescribing at discharge.

Asset Subtitle

David A. Fried

Meta Tag

Author List David A. Fried

Category Research

Concept Gabapentinoid

Concept Hospitalized adult medical patients

Concept Prescription

Concept Respiratory Depression

Concept Opioid

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Michigan

Presenting Author David A. Fried

Track Patient Safety

Keywords

gabapentinoids

hospitalized patients

general medicine

off-label prescribing

opioids

benzodiazepines

respiratory risk

retrospective cohort

COPD

deprescribing

Gabapentinoid

Hospitalized adult medical patients

Prescription

Respiratory Depression

Opioid