THE USE of a mobile application for postoperative pain management significantly reduces opioid misuse following a caesarean section, highlighting its potential to optimise prescribing practices and reduce community-level opioid risks. Opioid misuse is a significant public health concern in the United States, with inconsistent and often excessive prescribing practices contributing to the epidemic. Caesarean section, one of the most common surgical procedures, frequently involves postoperative opioid prescriptions, which may lead to overuse or addiction. A recent study evaluated the impact of the CPMRx mobile application on reducing opioid misuse among women undergoing caesarean sections, aiming to refine prescription practices and improve patient outcomes.
Participants were randomised into two groups: a control group using electronic monitoring blister packs and an experimental group using the CPMRx app alongside blister packs. Logistic regression analysis revealed that women using the CPMRx app were 92% less likely to misuse opioids compared to the control group (odds ratio [OR], 0.08; p = 0.03). Log-binomial regression confirmed that control group participants were seven times more likely to misuse opioids (relative risk [RR], 7.00; p = 0.05). Among non-misusers in Phase I, the average opioid consumption was 2.7 tablets, with 95% using eight or fewer pills and half using one or none. These findings suggest that a prescription of seven 5 mg oxycodone tablets may suffice for most caesarean section patients.
The use of the CPMRx app demonstrates a significant reduction in postoperative opioid misuse, offering a scalable tool for personalised pain management. Incorporating technology into prescribing practices has the potential to address the public health burden of opioid misuse by systematically right-sizing prescriptions. Clinicians should consider integrating digital health tools like CPMRx into routine postoperative care, particularly for procedures prone to overprescription. Further research should explore the application’s efficacy across diverse populations and surgical contexts to validate these findings and expand its utility.
Abigail Craig, EMJ
References
Abdo A et al. Evaluation of a mobile application to decrease opioid misuse in patients undergoing cesarean section: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2024;24(1):812.
