Opioid Overdose (OO) and poisoning is a highly prevalent condition in the United States, and is associated with high rates of death and addiction. This study aims to evaluate yearly trends, regional disparities, predictors of mortality, and inpatient cost of hospital stay for OO from 2003 to 2014.

Analysis of Nationwide Inpatient Sample data (2003-2014) showed a total of 149,483 patients discharged with primary diagnosis or secondary diagnosis of Opioid Poisoning, ICD-9 Code 965.xx . Independent predictors (age, sex, race, and region) of mortality were studied using binary logistic regression.

149,220 patients were admitted for OO, out of which 2.6% died. Median age of OO patients was 47 years and 81.1% were Caucasian. A majority of these patients were in the South (39.3%), as compared to Mid-west (21.9%), West (21.3%), and North-east (17.5%). Yearly admissions for OO have been steadily increasing from 7,864 in 2003 to 15,165 in 2014. Total cost per admission has also increased from $17,156 in 2003 to $37,281 in 2014.

Using binary logistic regression and after controlling for comorbid conditions, the statistically significant independent predictors of death due to OO was Male Gender (OR=1.41, p<0.001), Caucasian Race (OR=1.29, p=0.002), and Age<60 (OR=1.15, p=0.01). Region did not have any effect on mortality.