Prescription Opioid Increases Risk for Major Depressive Disorder & Anxiety

A new genetic evidence suggests that the use of prescription opioids increases the risk for psychological disorders like Major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety & stress related disorders (ASRD).

The risk for MDD potentially increases by increased prescription opioid use. This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health

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‘The use of prescription opioids increases the risk for psychological disorders like Major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety & stress related disorders (ASRD). It is also recommended to opt for suitable non-opioid alternatives in patients with mood disorder. A screening for MDD is mandatory prior to initiating the opioid therapy’
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The recommendation suggests using the prescription opioids with caution in patients with mood disorders. It is also recommended to opt for suitable non-opioid alternatives in patients with mood disorder.

A screening for MDD is mandatory prior to initiating the opioid therapy. Many studies suggest that prescription opioids use may have an impact on depression & anxiety disorders.

There is a complex relationship between depression & pain. The researchers performed 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to assess potential associations of self-reported prescription opioid and nonopioid analgesics, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen-like derivatives use with MDD and ASRD.

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The findings of the study show an evidence for potential casual associations between genetic liability for increased prescription opioid use and the risk of developing MDD & ASRD.

"Every medicine has risks, and the risks of chronic opioid treatment are all too apparent. This study simply reinforces [that] we need to be cautious in opioid prescribing — whether or not someone has depression," said Perlis.

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He cautioned that the study "can't really distinguish the reason for opioid medication use; so it's at least possible that they're simply confirming the relationship between certain kinds of chronic pain, treated with opioids, and depression."

A 5 fold increase in opioid prescription use was observed over the past 20 years in the United States. It has been recorded that the number of deaths due to the opioid overdosing has increased drastically from 2013 to 2017.

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Before prescribing opioids to the patients it is very important to evaluate the treatment’s risk and benefits. Opioids alleviate pain but chronic use is associated with a plethora of adverse effects like immuonosuppression, natural reward processes dysregulation & neurohormonal deficits.

It is estimated that approximately 7.8 million adults with psychiatric disorders (primarily MDD and ASRD) receive more than half of almost 200 million yearly opioid prescriptions.

Compared with other patient populations, individuals with psychiatric disorders are also more likely to report long-term opioid use. Hence this study was carried out which elucidated prescription opioid increases risk for Major depressive disorder, anxiety and stress disorders.

Source-Medindia