Two-year Opioid Prescription Trends in Local Sanitary Agency Naples 3 South, Campania Region, Italy. Descriptive Analyses and AI-based Translational Perspectives.

Abstract

Aims: This study delves into the two-year opioid prescription trends in the Local Sanitary Agency Naples 3 South, Campania Region, Italy. The research aims to elucidate prescribing patterns, demographics, and dosage categories within a population representing 1.7% of the national total. Perspectives on artificial intelligence research are discussed.

Methods: From the original dataset, spanning from January 2022 to October 2023, we processed multiple variables including demographic data, medications, dosages, drug consumption, and administration routes. The dispensing quantity was calculated as defined daily doses (DDD).

Results: The analysis reveals a conservative approach to opioid therapy. In subjects under the age of 20, prescriptions accounted for 2.1% in 2022 and declined to 1.4% in 2023. The drug combination paracetamol/codeine was the most frequently prescribed, followed by tapentadol. Approximately two-thirds of the consumption pertains to oral formulations. Transdermal formulations were 15% (fentanyl 9.8%, buprenorphine 5.1%) in 2022; and 16.6% (fentanyl 10%, buprenorphine 6.6%) in 2023. These data were confirmed by the DDD analysis. The trend analysis demonstrated a significant reduction ( p < 0.001) in the number of prescribed opioids from 2022 to 2023 in adults (40-69 years). The study of rapid-onset opioids (ROOs), drugs specifically used for breakthrough cancer pain, showed higher dosage (>267 mcg) consumption among women, whereas a lower dosage (<133 mcg) was calculated for men. Fentanyl pectin nasal spray accounted for approximately one-fifth of all ROOs.

Conclusion: Despite limitations, the study provides valuable insights into prescribing practices involving an important study population. The findings underscore the need for tailored approaches to prescribing practices, recognizing the complexities of pain management in different contexts. This research can contribute to the ongoing discourse on opioid use, advocating for innovative strategies that optimize therapeutic outcomes while mitigating potential risks.