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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06613802

Prevalence of Gabapentinoids and Opioids in Geriatric Falls Patients

This study investigates the prescription patterns of gabapentinoids (gabapentin and pregabalin) in a geriatric fall clinic in Aalborg, Denmark, between 2013 and 2023. Gabapentinoids, often prescribed for neuropathic pain, have seen increased off-label usage, particularly as alternatives to opioids. Despite the lack of robust evidence supporting their efficacy in many neuropathic and non-neuropathic pain conditions, their use has grown, especially in elderly populations. This raises concerns about their potential side effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, and the risk of falls, especially when combined with opioids.

The study aims to determine the prevalence of gabapentinoid and opioid prescriptions in the clinics and for what type of pain they are prescribed. Furthermore, the study will look into the development in opioid prescriptions and concomitant gabapentinoid/opioid usage in this population.

The study is a retrospective chart review of patient charts from the years 2013-2014, 2018-2019, and 2023, analyzing patient characteristics, comorbidities, medication lists, and pain classifications.

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Key information

Conditions

Gabapentin

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Aalborg University Hospital

Aalborg, 9000, Denmark

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • patient in the geriatric fall clinic at Aalborg University Hospital in either 2013-2014, 2018-2019, or 2023

Exclusion criteria

  • None

Treatment and study plan

TIME

Other

This is a cross sectional study, and the exposure where the outcome is expected to change by is time. Years included in the study are 2013-2014, 2018-2019 and 2023

Primary outcomes

  1. Prevalence of gabapentionoids

    Time frame: Baseline. That is at the time of first outpatient contact in the geriatric fall clinic at Aalborg University Hospital

    Number of patients taking gabapentinoids (yes/no) for each year

  2. Prevalence of opioids

    Time frame: Baseline. That is at the time of first outpatient contact in the geriatric fall clinic at Aalborg University Hospital

    Number of patients taking opioids (yes/no) for each year

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pain characteristics for each year

    Time frame: Baseline. That is at the time of first outpatient contact in the geriatric fall clinic at Aalborg University Hospital

    Pain categorized as malignant, neuropathic (with subcategories such as radiculopathy, postherpetic neuralgia), nociceptive somatic (e.g., back pain, shoulder pain), and nociceptive visceral (e.g., headache, abdominal pain). Each pain type will further be classified by duration as acute (below 3 months), subacute (3-6 months), chronic (more than 6 months), or "not stated in charts".

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Aalborg University Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Prevalence of Gabapentinoids in Geriatric Falls Outpatients in Aalborg in 2013-2014, 2018-2019, and 2023

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Sep 26, 2024
Registry last updated
Jul 15, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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