Socio-demographic, clinical variables and pain among Egyptian patients of opioid use disorder with and without comorbid gabapentin use

Abstract Introduction There is increased clinical use of gabapentin, these trends appear to chronologically align with the opioid overdose crisis and particularly with the increased restrictions on opioid prescription. Objectives The study aimed to assess the clinical variables, pain quality, and severity among patients with opioid use disorder as the main substance with and without gabapentin comorbid use. Methods The research involved 60 patients diagnosed with substance use disorder, divided into two groups: opioid use as the main substance and opioid use with comorbid gabapentin. All participants were assessed using a semi-structured clinical addiction interview, the structured clinical interview for diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, the Addiction Severity Index, urine drug test, McGill Pain Questionnaire, and Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questionnaire, in one interview setting. Results The study showed that pain relief was the main desirable effect in the gabapentin group, with 66.2% of the group experiencing it. Euphoria was the desirable effect in the opioid group, while overdose was more common in the gabapentin group. Respiratory complications were also more common in the Gabapentin group. Conclusion The study concluded that patients with comorbid gabapentin use disorder had a higher frequency of overdose, history of pain, and significant neuropathic pain, while less abstinence.