Prevalence and Associated Factors of Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome in Adults Admitted to an Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Observational Descriptive Study

Background

Prolonged opioid administration for pain control and to facilitate tolerance of mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU) may lead to tolerance and physical dependence. Following opioid discontinuation, opioid withdrawal syndrome (OWS) may occur. Although this condition has been well described in pediatric populations, its incidence and associated factors in critically ill adults remain uncertain because of diagnostic heterogeneity and the frequent clinical overlap with delirium. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of OWS and to identify factors associated with its development in adult patients.