A nationwide study of Veterans Health Administration patients found a high percentage with functional abdominal pain received a prescription for an opioid medication during a 1-year period. The risks of opioid overuse has reached epidemic proportions and has received national attention.

Compared with patients who had a structural GI disorder such as inflammatory bowel disease or gastroesophageal reflux, those with functional disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or functional dyspepsia had a nearly 40% greater likelihood of being given an opioid prescription.

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