Adverse drug events and cost components related to the use of opioids in post-operative pain: a scoping review protocol

OBJECTIVE The objective of this review is to map the available evidence on adverse drug events and costs related to the use of opioids in hospitalized patients with post-operative pain. INTRODUCTION Post-operative pain is the most prevalent type of acute pain, affecting 80% of patients undergoing surgery. The main drug used in the treatment of post-operative pain is the opioid analgesic. These alleviate pain but cause adverse drug events. These events may result in lack of expected improvement in health status, the emergence of a new pathology, change in an organic function, or a harmful response due to the use of medicament. INCLUSION CRITERIA This review will consider studies that include adult (18 years or over) post-operative patients experiencing pain from any type of surgery. Patients must be hospitalized in tertiary hospitals and taking opioid analgesics by any route of administration. Studies must report adverse events and associated costs of adverse drug events. Quantitative and qualitative studies, theses, and text and opinion papers will be considered. Only studies published in English, Spanish and Portuguese will be included, with no date limit METHODS:: A three-step search strategy will be utilized for this review. The databases to be searched include MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL, LILACS, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar. Studies published in English, Spanish, and Portuguese will be included. The extracted data will be presented in diagrammatic or tabular form in a manner that aligns with the objective of this scoping review, and a narrative summary will be provided.