Association Between Opioid Use and Outpatient Visits for Dysphagia: An Analysis of the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey in 2008–2018

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Opioid-induced esophageal dysfunction has been described with characteristic manometric patterns, but the population burden of dysphagia attributable to opioid use remains unclear. METHODS: The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2008 to 2018 was used to assess the relationship between opioid use and outpatient visits for dysphagia. RESULTS: After controlling for potential confounders, there were no significant difference in ambulatory visits for dysphagia between opioid users and nonusers (adjusted odds ratio = 0.98, confidence interval: 0.59–1.65). DISCUSSION: No correlation between opioid use and ambulatory visits for dysphagia was found in a nationwide sample. Opioid-related manometric changes may be clinically relevant only in a small proportion of patients.