Opioid prescriptions have increased in Germany in recent years. The usage of transdermal therapeutic systems has substantially driven this growth. The analysis was based on claims data of a German statutory health insurance (2001-2003). Statistical analysis applied univariate comparisons (exploratively only) as well as a multivariate logistic regression models. Patients in the transdermal group were older and the percentage of women was higher than in the oral group. Patients in the transdermal group received their opioids significantly more often from a GP. They had significantly less prescriptions for laxatives and antidepressants. The patients in both groups differed significantly with regard to a number of characteristics. The results indicate that GPs prefer transdermal opioids if prescribing strong-acting opioids.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.