Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder: Rates and Predictors of Prescription Order and Fill in Outpatient Settings.

Abstract

Background: Alcohol use disorders (AUD) are prevalent and responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality; yet efficacious treatments are underused. Previous studies have identified demographic and clinical predictors of medication fills, yet these studies typically do not include patients who were prescribed a medication but did not fill it.

Objectives: To examine rates of and factors associated with prescription order and prescription fill for medications for AUD (MAUD) among individuals diagnosed with AUD in outpatient settings.

Design: In a cross-sectional analysis, we used multivariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with prescription order and fill.

Patients: We used data from the Optum Labs Data Warehouse that linked 2016-2021 de-identified claims and electronic health record (EHR) data, allowing us to observe prescription orders and whether they were filled. We identified 14,674 patients aged ≥ 18 who had an index outpatient encounter with an AUD diagnosis in the EHR.

Key measures: We computed the proportion for whom a MAUD prescription was ordered within 1 year of index visit, and for whom one was filled within 30 days of the order.

Key results: 5.8% of the sample had a MAUD prescription order within 1 year of their index visit. Among those with an order, 87% filled their MAUD prescription within 30 days of receipt (i.e., 5.1% of full sample). After multivariable adjustment, receipt of a MAUD prescription order was more likely for patients who were female (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) [95%CI] = 1.44 [1.24-1.67]), or had moderate or severe AUD (1.74 [1.50-2.01]). Patients receiving an order were more likely to fill it if they had a comorbid mental disorder (1.64 [1.09-2.49]).

Conclusions: The low rate of prescription orders was notable. Low use of MAUD appears to result chiefly from prescription order decisions, rather than from prescription fill decisions made by patients.