The Cardiovascular
ToolsCalculators

Opioid Risk Tool (ORT)

Stratifies risk of aberrant behaviour on long-term opioid therapy.

Opioid Risk Tool (ORT)
Sex
Family history of alcohol abuse
Family history of illegal-drug abuse
Family history of prescription-drug abuse
Personal history of alcohol abuse
Personal history of illegal-drug abuse
Personal history of prescription-drug abuse
Age 16–45 years
History of preadolescent sexual abuse
ADD, OCD, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia
Depression
Result0 points

Predicted low risk of future aberrant drug-related behaviour.

Risk category
Low

When to use

  • Screening adults before starting long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain.

Formula

Sex-specific points for family/personal substance-abuse history, age 16–45, preadolescent sexual abuse (women), and psychiatric disease. 0–3 low, 4–7 moderate, ≥8 high risk.

Pearls and pitfalls

  • Self-report can under-estimate risk; corroborate where possible.

References

  1. Webster LR, Webster RM. Pain Med. 2005;6(6):432-42.