Prescription Trends in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Retrospective Case–Control Study

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate discrepancies in prescription trends for analgesic medications complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) patients based on recommendations the literature. Design: We conducted a retrospective case–control study. Subjects: A total 2510 CRPS and demographic-matched controls participated Methods: SlicerDicer feature Epic used find diagnosed with I or II between January 2010 November 2022. An equal number age-, gender-, race-matched without diagnosis were retracted from Epic. General CRPS-associated frequencies following classes retrieved both cases controls: benzodiazepines, bisphosphonates, calcitonin, capsaicin, neuropathic medications, NSAIDs, opioids, steroids. Results: 740 (29%) 425 (17%) prescribed benzodiazepines (95% CI 0.1–0.15), 154 (6.1%) 52 (2.1%) capsaicin 0.03–0.05), 1837 (73%) 927 (37%) 0.05–0.34), 1769 (70%) 1217 (48%) opioids 0.19–0.25), 1095 (44%) steroids 0.08–0.14), 1638 (65%) 1765 NSAIDs −0.08–0.02), p < 0.001 all classes. With prescriptions, 0.05–0.16, 0.001) more (N = 398, 59%) than 327, 49%). Conclusions: is difficult treat significant variance suggested treatment modalities. Based results our study, there divergence some published actual practice.