Opioid Risk Tool (ORT) of Webster and Webster for Predicting Drug Misuse in a Patient Receiving Opioids for Chronic Pain

Webster and Webster reported the Opioid Risk Tool (ORT) for identifying a patient with chronic pain who is likely to abuse opioid therapy.

Parameters:

(1) sex of the patient

(2) family history of alcohol abuse

(3) family history of illegal drug use

(4) family history of abusing prescription drugs

(5) personal history of alcohol abuse

(6) personal history of illegal drug use

(7) personal history of abusing prescription drugs

(8) age in years

(9) history of preadolescent sexual abuse

(10) depression

(11) other psychological disease (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, etc)

Male Scoring

Parameter	Finding	Points
family history of drug abuse	no	0
	yes	3
family history of illegal drug use	no	0
	yes	3
family history of prescription drug abuse	no	0
	yes	4
personal history of alcohol abuse	no	0
	yes	3
personal history of illegal drug use	no	0
	yes	4
personal history of prescription drug abuse	no	0
	yes	5
age in years	16 to 45 years	1
	< 16 or > 45 years	0
history of preadolescent sexual abuse	no	0
	yes	0
depression	no	0
	yes	1
other psychological disease	no	0
	yes	2

Female Scoring

Parameter	Finding	Points
family history of drug abuse	no	0
	yes	1
family history of illegal drug use	no	0
	yes	2
family history of prescription drug abuse	no	0
	yes	4
personal history of alcohol abuse	no	0
	yes	3
personal history of illegal drug use	no	0
	yes	4
personal history of prescription drug abuse	no	0
	yes	5
age in years	16 to 45 years	1
	< 16 or > 45 years	0
history of preadolescent sexual abuse	no	0
	yes	3
depression	no	0
	yes	1
other psychological disease	no	0
	yes	2

score =

= SUM(points for all of the parameters)

Interpretation:

• minimum score: 0

• maximum score: 26

• The higher the score the greater the risk of opioid abuse.

To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.