Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Long-term Concurrent Use of Stimulants and Opioids Among Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Use and misuse of psychoactive medicines: a descriptive cross-sectional study in a densely populated region of Portugal

Introduction

Although psychoactive medicines (PMed) are needed in several psychiatric conditions, their use and misuse bear risks. We aimed at estimating the prevalence of PMed use and misuse.

Methods

Data on all PMed prescribed in 2017 and dispensed in community pharmacies of the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region of Portugal (ARSLVT) were extracted from ARSLVT medicines' dispensing database. For 21 PMed among prescription opioids, benzodiazepines and z-drugs (BZDR), antidepressants (AD) and anticonvulsants (AC), we estimated the number of users of each PMed, and assessed PMed misuse by a set of proxy indicators for studying this practice: chronic use (use of ≥180 DDD during the study period) of PMed intended for short-term treatments, concomitant use of several PMed, in particular if involving long-term (≥ 30 days) opioid analgesic (OA) use, and doctor shopping (patients consulting several physicians in order to have access to a quantity higher than intended by each prescriber). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing, and multivariate logistic regression was used to explore potential factors affecting long-term concomitant treatment of chronic OA with other PMed.

Results

PMed use prevalence was 21.7%: 6.6% for OA, 12.7% for benzodiazepines (BZD), 5.3% for AD and 2.8% for AC. BZDR were mainly prescribed in primary care and OA in hospital outpatients. Chronic use of PMed was observed in 25%, especially with sertraline and buprenorphine for opioid use disorder (long-term treatment), and lorazepam (short-term treatment). About 56.6% of OA chronic users were long-term concurrent users with other PMed, mainly BZDR. Risk of abuse was low for BZDR, whilst four opioids had meaningful doctor shopping indicators - fentanyl, opioid use disorder buprenorphine, morphine and hydromorphone.

Conclusions

BZD are the main PMed used in ARSLVT, often chronically, especially lorazepam. Prevalence of OA use is low, although with higher risk of misuse than BZDR. Concomitant use of several PMed is frequent.

Case report: Methylphenidate improved chronic pain in an adult patient with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Introduction

Chronic pain remains a health problem that is difficult to treat adequately. Its unknown cause and complex comorbidity with other illnesses, including mental disorders, amplify the severity of symptoms, which consequently decreases the quality of life of patients long term. In our clinical practice, we coincidentally found evidence that methylphenidate (MPH) effectively managed chronic pain in an adult patient with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The effectiveness of MPH in the treatment of ADHD is well-established; however, its utility in treating pain remains unclear.

Case presentation

We present a rare case of a 43-year-old male patient with 15 years of chronic idiopathic pain symptoms that did not adequately respond to standard pain management, such as acetaminophen, non-opioid analgesics, and muscle relaxers. Pain also persisted after treatments with antidepressants and an epidural block. Furthermore, symptoms worsened following several sessions of modified electroconvulsive therapy. After a thorough assessment at our child and adolescent psychiatric outpatient clinic, we confirmed a diagnosis of adult ADHD with a predominantly inattentive type. Considering this newly established diagnosis, we prescribed osmotic-release oral system (OROS) methylphenidate. Within 1 month of treatment at a dose of 18 mg/day of OROS-MPH, the patient’s chronic pain unexpectedly improved dramatically, and the patient no longer experienced pain symptoms. The dosage of OROS-MPH was titrated monthly, reaching 72 mg/day as a maintenance dose, and ADHD symptoms improved after 4 months of treatment. The patient was followed up regularly for 7 years during his OROS-MPH treatment. No adverse effects were reported, including stimulant addiction. He was stable overall and functioned well in his daily activities. His pain never recurred.

Conclusion

This case report suggests that MPH may be potentially effective in treating chronic pain. Further studies are needed to confirm whether MPH improved chronic pain simultaneously with or separately from the improvement in ADHD. Moreover, elucidating the anatomical sites and molecular pharmacological mechanisms related to the action of MPH in pain modulation and perception is essential. Such sites include the descending dopaminergic pain pathway and higher cortical areas. Furthering our understanding may reinforce the justification for treating chronic pain using MPH.

Prescription stimulant use during long-term opioid therapy and risk for opioid use disorder

Background

Concurrent therapeutic prescribing of prescription stimulants with opioid analgesics is increasing in the United States. Stimulant medication use is associated with increased risk for long-term opioid therapy (LTOT), and LTOT is associated with increased risk for opioid use disorder (OUD).

Aims

To determine if stimulant prescriptions among those with LTOT (≥90 days) are associated with greater risk for opioid use disorder (OUD).

Methods

This retrospective cohort study from 2010 to 2018 used a United States, nationally distributed Optum© analytics Integrated Claims-Clinical dataset. Patients ≥18 years of age, and free of prevalent OUD in the two years prior to index were eligible. All patients had a new ≥90-day opioid prescription. The index date was day 91. We compared risk for new OUD diagnoses in patients with and without a prescription stimulant overlapping LTOT. Entropy balancing and weighting controlled for confounding factors.

Results

Patients (n = 5,712), were 57.7 (SD±14.9) years of age on average, majority female (59.8%) and 73.3% White race. Among patients with LTOT, 2.8% had overlapping stimulant prescriptions. Before controlling for confounding, dual stimulant-opioid prescriptions, compared to opioid only, were associated with OUD risk (HR = 1.75; 95%CI:1.17-2.61). After controlling for confounding, this association was no longer present (HR = 0.89; 95%CI:0.47-1.71). Results did not differ in sensitivity analyses limiting the cohort to those <56 years of age.

Conclusions

Dual stimulant use among patients with LTOT does not increase risk for OUD. Stimulants prescribed for ADHD and other conditions may not worsen opioid outcomes for some patients with LTOT.

Concurrent Use of Prescription Opioids and Gabapentinoids in Older Adults

INTRODUCTION

Concurrent use of prescription opioids with gabapentinoids may pose risks of serious drug interactions. Yet, little is known about the trends in and patient characteristics associated with concurrent opioid-gabapentinoid use among older Medicare opioid users with chronic noncancer pain.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among Medicare older beneficiaries (aged ≥65 years) with chronic noncancer pain who filled ≥1 opioid prescription within 3 months after a randomly selected chronic noncancer pain diagnosis (index date) in a calendar year between 2011 and 2018. Patient characteristics were measured in the 6-month baseline before the index date, and concurrent opioid-gabapentinoid use for ≥1 day was measured in the 3-month follow-up after the index date. Multivariable modified Poisson regression hwas used to assess the trends and characteristics of concurrent opioid-gabapentinoid use. Analyses were conducted from January to June 2021.

RESULTS

Among 464,721 eligible older beneficiaries with chronic noncancer pain and prescription opioids, the prevalence of concurrent opioid-gabapentinoid use increased from 17.0% in 2011 to 23.5% in 2018 (adjusted prevalence ratio=1.48, 95% CI=1.45, 1.53). Concurrent users versus opioid-only users tended to be non-Black, low-income subsidy recipients, and Southern residents. The clinical factors associated with concurrent opioid-gabapentinoid use included having a diagnosis of neuropathic pain, polypharmacy, and risk factors for opioid-related adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Concurrent opioid-gabapentinoid use among older Medicare beneficiaries with chronic noncancer pain and prescription opioids has increased significantly between 2011 and 2018. Future studies are warranted to investigate the impact of concurrent use on outcomes in older patients. Interventions that reduce inappropriate concurrent use may target older patients with identified characteristics.

Rise, and pronounced regional variation, in methylphenidate, amphetamine, and lisdexamfetamine distribution in the United States

Background

The prescription stimulants methylphenidate, amphetamine, and lisdexamfetamine are sympathomimetic drugs with therapeutic use. They are designated in the United States as Schedule II substances, defined by the 1970 Controlled Substances Act as having a “high potential for abuse”. Changing criteria for the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in 2013 and the approval of lisdexamfetamine for binge eating disorder in 2015 may have impacted usage patterns. This report compared the pharmacoepidemiology of these stimulants in the United States from 2010–2017.

Methods

Distribution of amphetamine, methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine were examined via weights extracted from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Automated Reports and Consolidated Ordering System (ARCOS). Median stimulant Daily Dosage per patient was determined for a regional analysis. The percent of cost and prescriptions attributable to each stimulant and atomoxetine in Medicaid from the “Drug Utilization 2018 - National Total” from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid was determined.

Results

There was a rise in amphetamine (+67.5%) and lisdexamfetamine (+76.7%) from 2010–2017. The change in methylphenidate (−3.0%) was modest. Persons/day stimulant usage was lower in the West than in other US regions from 2014-2017. There was a negative correlation (r(48) = −0.43 to −0.65, p < .05) between the percent Hispanic population per state and the Daily Dosage/population per stimulant. Methylphenidate formulations accounted for over half (51.7%) of the $3.8 billion reimbursed by Medicaid and the plurality (45.4%) of the 22.0 million prescriptions. Amphetamine was responsible for less than one-fifth (18.4%) of cost but one-third of prescriptions (33.6%). Lisdexamfetamine’s cost (26.0%) exceeded prescriptions (16.3%).

Conclusion

The rising amphetamine and lisdexamfetamine distribution may correspond with a rise in adult ADHD diagnoses. Regional analysis indicates that stimulant distribution in the West may be distinct from that in other regions. The lower stimulant distribution in areas with greater Hispanic populations may warrant further study.

Characterizing prescription stimulant nonmedical use (NMU) among adults recruited from Reddit

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Adults reporting past 5-year non-oral prescription stimulant NMU were studied.

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Non-oral NMU preferences were snorting (59%) injecting (4%) or smoking (1%).

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Polysubstance use was reported by 79.1% of the sample.

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Route of administration and motivation for prescription stimulant NMU were related.

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Prescription stimulant oral and intranasal NMU was to enhance performance.

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Prescription stimulant intravenous and smoking NMU was to get high.

Objective

Increased prescription stimulant nonmedical use (NMU) is part of a growing polysubstance use landscape. The purpose of the present study was to characterize prescription stimulant NMU among adults reporting past 5-year non-oral prescription stimulant NMU.

Methods

Adults who reported non-oral prescription stimulant NMU within the last 5 years were recruited by banner ads placed on the Reddit website between February and September 2019. Types of prescription stimulants used, routes of administration, preferred routes of administration, motivations for prescription stimulant NMU, concurrent substances used simultaneously during prescription stimulant NMU, illicit substances used and factors impacting prescription stimulant NMU were queried.

Results

Respondents (n = 225) were male (86.2%), non-Hispanic (92.4%), white (78.2%), between 18 and 24 (48.0%) or 25–34 (43.1%) years with some amount of college education (81.3%). Most reported lifetime intranasal (93.8%) or oral use (85.2%). Prescription stimulants were diverted: 64.5% reported the prescription stimulants were given to them by a family or a friend and 10.5% reported that they had stolen these medications from a family or friend. Preferred route of administration was oral use (70.2%). Motivations to use were stratified by route of administration: intranasal (55.6%) or oral (63.0%) use was primarily endorsed as an attempt to enhance performance at work or at school; use by injection (57.1%) or smoking (62.5%) was primarily endorsed to get high. Most of the sample reported concurrent drug use (79.1%) including tobacco (57.3%), marijuana (52.0%), caffeine (47.6%) or alcohol (41.8%), among others. When excluding licit substances, 30.7% reported using 1 illicit substance concurrently with prescription stimulants and 25.3% reported using 2 or more illicit substances concurrently with prescription stimulants. Whether participants would undertake prescription stimulant NMU was determined by their work/school schedules or the location of the NMU (48.9%) whereas the route of administration employed was primarily influenced by the desired feeling or effect (56.9%).

Conclusions

Adults reporting lifetime non-oral prescription stimulant NMU engage in substantial risky behaviors that in addition to alternate routes of administration include polysubstance use, diversion and concurrent substance use.

Neuroinflammation as a possible link between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and pain

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and pathological pain are two complex syndromes of multifactorial origin. Despite their prevalence and broad impacts, these conditions are seldom recognized and managed simultaneously. The co-existence of neuropsychiatric conditions (such as ADHD) and altered pain perception and chronic pain has been noted in children, and the comorbidity of ADHD and chronic pain is well documented in adults. Pathophysiological studies have suggested dysfunction of the dopaminergic system as a common neurochemical basis for comorbid ADHD and pain. Considerable evidence supports the role of neuroinflammation in the pathophysiology of both. We suggest that central neuroinflammation underlies altered pain perception and pain sensitization in persons with ADHD. Based on our hypothesis, targeting neuroinflammation may serve as a potential new therapeutic intervention to treat ADHD and comorbid pain in children and adolescents and a preventive strategy for the development of chronic pain in adults with ADHD.

Exploring the effectiveness of dextroamphetamine for the treatment of stimulant use disorder: a qualitative study with patients receiving injectable opioid agonist treatment

Background

A high proportion of people receiving both oral and injectable opioid agonist treatment report concurrent use of stimulants (i.e. cocaine and or amphetamines), which has been associated with higher rates of continued illicit opioid use and treatment dropout. A recent randomized controlled trial demonstrated the effectiveness of dextroamphetamine (a prescribed stimulant) at reducing craving for and use of cocaine among patients receiving injectable opioid agonist treatment. Following this evidence, dextroamphetamine has been prescribed to patients with stimulant use disorder at a clinic in Vancouver. This study investigates perceptions of the effectiveness of dextroamphetamine from the perspective of these patients.

Methods

Data were collected using small focus groups and one-on-one interviews with patients who were currently or formerly receiving dextroamphetamine (n = 20). Thematic analysis was conducted using an iterative approach, moving between data collection and analysis to search for patterns in the data across transcripts. This process led to the defining and naming of three central themes responding to the research question.

Results

Participants reported a range of stimulant use types, including cocaine (n = 8), methamphetamine (n = 8), or both (n = 4). Three central themes were identified as relating to participants’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the medication: 1) achieving a substitution effect (i.e. extent to which dextroamphetamine provided a substitution for the effect they received from use of illicit stimulants); 2) Reaching a preferred dose (i.e. speed of titration and effect of the dose received); and 3) Ease of medication access (i.e. preference for take home doses (i.e. carries) vs. medication integrated into care at the clinic).

Conclusion

In the context of continued investigation of pharmacological treatments for stimulant use disorder, the present study has highlighted how the study of clinical outcomes could be extended to account for factors that contribute to perceptions of effectiveness from the perspective of patients. In practice, elements of treatment delivery (e.g. dosing and dispensation protocols) can be adjusted to allow for various scenarios (e.g. on site vs. take home dosing) by which dextroamphetamine and other pharmacological stimulants could be implemented to provide “effective” treatment for people with a wide range of treatment goals and needs.

Changes in medical use of central nervous system stimulants among US adults, 2013 and 2018: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the 5-year changes in the adult medical use of central nervous system (CNS) stimulants with higher risk of dependence and evaluate the population characteristics of users and their medical and/or neurological conditions.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Annual US Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a stratified random sample of approximately 30 000 persons designed to produce national population estimates. It focuses on reported medical spending, medical services used, health status and prescription medications.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults age 19 years and older who reported obtaining one or more prescriptions for amphetamine or methylphenidate products during two survey years, 2013 and 2018.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES

Prescriptions obtained, the specific stimulant product and annual treatment days of drug supplied.

RESULTS

In 2018, an estimated 4.1 million US adults (95% CI 3.4 million to 4.8 million) reported prescriptions for CNS stimulants, having filled a mean of 7.3 (95% CI 6.8 to 7.8) prescriptions with a mean of 226 (95% CI 210 to 242) days' supply. Compared with 2013, the estimated number of adults reporting using CNS stimulants in 2018 increased by 1.8 million (95% CI 1.0 million to 2.7 million) or 79.8%. Most 2018 adult stimulant users reported taking psychoactive medication for one or more mental, behavioural or neurodevelopment disorders. Overall, 77.8% (95% CI 72.6% to 83.0%) reported some medication for adult attention deficit disorder, 26.8% (95% CI 22.2% to 31.5%) took medication for anxiety, 25.1% (95% CI 19.9% to 30.3%) for depression and 15.3% (95% CI 9.8% to 20.8%) indicated drug treatment for other mental or neurological disorders. Adult CNS stimulant use was higher in females, in younger age cohorts and among individuals of white race/ethnicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Adult medical use of prescription stimulants increased markedly in 5 years and occurred in a population often reporting multiple mental or neurological disorders. Further action is needed to understand and manage this new resurgence in drugs with high risks of dependence.

Endogenous opiates and behavior: 2019

This paper is the forty-second consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2019 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (1), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (2) and humans (3), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (4), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (5), stress and social status (6), learning and memory (7), eating and drinking (8), drug abuse and alcohol (9), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (10), mental illness and mood (11), seizures and neurologic disorders (12), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (13), general activity and locomotion (14), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (15), cardiovascular responses (16), respiration and thermoregulation (17), and immunological responses (18).

Understanding ADHD: Toward an Innovative Therapeutic Intervention

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a pervasive condition affecting persons across all age groups, although it is primarily diagnosed in children. This neurological condition affects behavior, learning, and social adjustment and requires specific symptomatic criteria to be fulfilled for diagnosis. ADHD may be treated with a combination of psychological or psychiatric therapeutic interventions, but it often goes unattended. People with ADHD face societal bias challenges that impact how they manage the disorder and how they view themselves. This paper summarizes the present state of understanding of this disorder, with particular attention to early diagnosis and innovative therapeutic intervention. Contemporary understanding of the mind-brain duality allows for innovative therapeutic interventions based on neurological stimulation. This paper introduces the concept of neurostimulation as a therapeutic intervention for ADHD and poses the question of the relationship between patient adherence to self-administered therapy and the aesthetic design features of the neurostimulation device. By fabricating devices that go beyond safety and efficacy to embrace the aesthetic preferences of the patient, it is proposed that there will be improvements in patient adherence to a device intended to address ADHD.

Outpatient prescribing of opioids to adults diagnosed with mental disorders in the United States

BACKGROUND

Adults with mood and anxiety disorders have an increased likelihood of being prescribed opioids. The influence of other mental disorders, such as psychotic and attention disorders, on opioid prescribing patterns is less known.

METHODS

We studied a population-representative sample of 166,927 outpatient visits for adults with painful conditions from the 2002-2016 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the 2002-2011 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Logistic regression analyses examined the likelihood of opioid prescription among visits with specific mental disorder diagnoses (anxiety, attention, mood, psychotic, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), opioid use, and non-opioid substance use), adjusted for covariates and weighted for the complex survey design. Secondary analyses stratified results by whether opioids were newly initiated or continued.

RESULTS

Opioids were prescribed at 16.8 % of visits. Mood, anxiety, and non-opioid substance use disorders were associated with higher likelihoods of opioid prescriptions, particularly for continued rather than first-time prescriptions. Psychotic disorders were strongly negatively associated with opioid prescriptions (adjusted odds ratio 0.44, 95 % CI 0.22-0.86). Diagnoses of PTSD and attention disorders were not associated with opioid prescribing.

CONCLUSIONS

Outpatient physicians are more likely to prescribe and refill opioids for adults with pain who present with mood, anxiety, and non-opioid substance use disorders, but not for those who present with PTSD or attention disorders. Patients with psychotic disorders and pain are markedly less likely to be prescribed opioids.

Interactions Between Opioids and Dextroamphetamine on Locomotor Activity: Influence of an Opioid's Relative Efficacy at the Mu Receptor

Opioids and stimulants are often used in combination for both recreational and non-recreational purposes. High-efficacy mu opioid agonists generally increase the behavioral effects of stimulants, whereas opioid receptor antagonists generally attenuate the behavioral effects of stimulants; however, less is known regarding the interactions between stimulants and opioids possessing low to intermediate efficacy at the mu receptor. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of an opioid's relative efficacy at the mu receptor in altering the behavioral effects of dextro(d-)amphetamine. To this end, opioids possessing a range of relative efficacy at the mu receptor were examined alone and in combination with cumulative doses of d-amphetamine on a test of open-field, locomotor activity in male rats. Levorphanol, buprenorphine, butorphanol, nalbuphine, (-)-pentazocine, (-)-metazocine, (-)-cyclazocine, (-)-NANM, and nalorphine increased the locomotor effects of d-amphetamine in either an additive or greater-than-additive manner according to an effect-additive model. Only the selective, high-efficacy kappa agonist, spiradoline, and the non-selective opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone, failed to increase the effects of d-amphetamine under the conditions examined. These data indicate that opioids possessing a large range of relative efficacy at the mu receptor, including those possessing very low relative efficacy, significantly increase the locomotor effects of d-amphetamine.

Chronic Opioid Therapy: A Scoping Literature Review on Evolving Clinical and Scientific Definitions

The management of chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) with chronic opioid therapy (COT) is controversial. There is a lack of consensus on how COT is defined resulting in unclear clinical guidance. This scoping review identifies and evaluates evolving COT definitions throughout the published clinical and scientific literature. Databases searched included PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. A total of 227 studies were identified from 8,866 studies published between January 2000 and July 2019. COT definitions were classified by pain population of application and specific dosage/duration definition parameters, with results reported according to PRISMA-ScR. Approximately half of studies defined COT as "days' supply duration >90 days" and 9.3% defined as ">120 days' supply," with other days' supply cut-off points (>30, >60, or >70) each appearing in <5% of total studies. COT was defined by number of prescriptions in 63 studies, with 16.3% and 11.0% using number of initiations or refills, respectively. Few studies explicitly distinguished acute treatment and COT. Episode duration/dosage criteria was used in 90 studies, with 7.5% by Morphine Milligram Equivalents + days' supply and 32.2% by other "episode" combination definitions. COT definitions were applied in musculoskeletal CNCP (60.8%) most often, and typically in adults aged 18 to 64 (69.6%). The usage of ">90 days' supply" COT definitions increased from 3.2 publications/year before 2016 to 20.7 publications/year after 2016. An increasing proportion of studies define COT as ">90 days' supply." The most recent literature trends toward shorter duration criteria, suggesting that contemporary COT definitions are increasingly conservative. PERSPECTIVE: This study summarized the most common, current definition criteria for chronic opioid therapy (COT) and recommends adoption of consistent definition criteria to be utilized in practice and research. The most recent literature trends toward shorter duration criteria overall, suggesting that COT definition criteria are increasingly stringent.

Concurrent Utilization of Prescription Opioids and Non-opioid Controlled Substances: Rhode Island Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, 2018

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of concurrent prescription opioid and non-opioid controlled substance use in Rhode Island (RI).

METHODS

We conducted a cross sectional observational study using data from the RI Prescription Drug Monitoring Program on controlled substance prescriptions dispensed in 2018. We estimated the prevalence of concurrent use of other prescribed controlled substances among adults who received at least one opioid prescription.

RESULTS

In 2018, 142,692 RI adult residents received at least one opioid prescription, of whom 25.1% (99% confidence interval [CI]: 24.8-25.4) were concurrently prescribed at least one other controlled substance, including benzodiazepines (17.0%, 99% CI: 16.8-17.3), medications for insomnia (4.0%, 99% CI: 3.9-4.2), and stimulants (3.8%, 99% CI: 3.6-3.9).

CONCLUSION

The concurrent use of prescription opioids and other prescribed controlled substances is common. Our findings suggest an urgent need to implement focused initiatives to address controlled substance polypharmacy to reduce the risk of overdose.

Medical cannabis laws and medical and non-medical prescription stimulant use among a nationally representative sample of US Adults: Examining the role of sexual identity and gender

BACKGROUND

Medical marijuana laws (MMLs) can impact marijuana and opioid use, but the relationship between MMLs and other drugs, such as prescription stimulants, remains unexamined. Because lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) individuals report higher levels of prescription stimulant use than heterosexuals, we explored the relationship between MMLs and past-year medical and non-medical stimulant use by sexual identity and gender.

METHODS

We pooled 2015-2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data for adults (n = 126 463), and used survey-weighted multinomial logistic regression to estimate odds of past-year (a) medical prescription stimulant use, (b) non-medical prescription stimulant use and (c) non-medical versus medical stimulant use. We stratified by gender, adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, and tested the interaction between MML state residence and sexual identity.

RESULTS

Bisexual men had higher medical (6.4% versus 4.1%; aROR=1.93[1.29-2.88]) and non-medical stimulant use 6.6% versus 2.4%; aROR=2.23[1.44-3.44]) than heterosexual men. Bisexual women had higher non-medical stimulant use (6.8% versus 1.6%; aROR=1.54[1.23-2.93] than heterosexual women. Female (aROR=0.70[0.62-0.78]) and male (aROR=0.74[0.66-0.82]) heterosexuals in MML states had lower odds of medical stimulant use than in non-MML states. Bisexual men in MML states had lower odds of medical (aROR=0.36[0.21-0.61]) and non-medical stimulant use (aROR=0.48[0.29-0.81]) than bisexual men in non-MML states. Similar patterns emerged for bisexual women's non-medical use (aROR=0.57[0.40-0.81]).

CONCLUSION

Prescription stimulant use was higher in non-MML states for most LGB subgroups. MMLs may differentially impact stimulant use, primarily for bisexual men and women. States enacting MMLs should consider potential impacts on drugs other than marijuana, especially among LGB populations.

Patterns of prescription opioid utilization among adolescents and adults with comorbid chronic pain and mental health diagnosis

Our goal was to examine the association between mental health disorders (MHD) and subsequent risk of opioid use among commercially insured youth and adults (aged 14-64 years) with comorbid chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) conditions. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using IQVIA Health Plan Claims database from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2015. Chronic noncancer pain was defined as any diagnosis of back, head, neck, arthritis, or chronic pain (index date). Mental health disorders were assessed in the 12 months before the index pain diagnosis. Based on days supply (none, acute, and chronic) and average daily dose (none, low, medium, and high), we constructed a 7-level categorical dependent measure of opioid use. We estimated the overall prevalence of MHD and opioid receipt. Among those with CNCP, multinomial logistic regression (AOR; 95 confidence interval) was used to estimate the association of MHD with opioid receipt. Among 879,815 individuals diagnosed with CNCP, 143,923 (16.4%) had comorbid MHD. Chronic/high-dose use of opioids was more common among those with CNCP and MHD compared to those with only CNCP. After adjusting for demographic and clinical factors, individuals with comorbid CNCP and MHD were significantly more likely to be prescribed opioids compared to those with only CNCP conditions. This effect varied by average daily dose and days supply: acute/low dose (1.08; 1.07-1.08); chronic/low dose (1.49; 1.49-1.50); acute/medium dose (1.07; 1.07-1.08); chronic/medium dose (1.61; 1.61-1.62); acute/high dose (1.03; 1.02-1.03); and chronic/high dose (1.53; 1.53-1.54). In individuals with CNCP, having a MHD was a strong predictor of prescription opioid use, particularly chronic use.

Efficacy and safety of a GABAergic drug (Gamalate® B6): effects on behavior and cognition in young adults with borderline-to-mild intellectual developmental disabilities and ADHD

BACKGROUND

We evaluated Gamalate® B6 (GB6) in patients with borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) or mild intellectual development disability (IDD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a prospective phase IV observational pilot study in 30 patients who underwent neuropsychological evaluation during treatment with GB6 for 12 weeks.

RESULTS

In comparison with baseline, the responses were positive, with a significant improvement in hyperactivity (51.7%), irritability (35.5%), and logorrhea (50%), and no sedative effect. The Clinical Global Impressions - Severity (CGI-S) score was much improved or very much improved in 73% of cases. Reaction time was better with fewer errors, thus indicating an improvement in attentional processes. A statistically significant result was obtained for the number of movements used to solve the problem and for the total number of correctly solved problems.

CONCLUSION

In this pilot study, GB6 was effective and well tolerated in cases of ADHD and challenging behavior in young adults with borderline-to-mild BIF/IDD. However, given the small number of patients involved and the uncontrolled nature of the study, these results should be viewed cautiously.

Prescription opioid misuse among middle-aged and older adults in the United States, 2015-2016

Adults ≥50 years of age have high rates of prescription opioid use. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence and correlates of prescription opioid misuse among middle-aged and older adults in the United States who use prescription opioids. Data from adults age ≥ 50 from the two most recent cohorts (2015 and 2016) of the National Survey of Drug Use and Health were examined (N = 17,608). Characteristics of past-year prescription opioid misusers, including demographics, substance use, depression, chronic disease, and emergency department (ED) use, were compared to adults who used prescription opioids as prescribed in the past year and non-users. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine correlates of prescription opioid misuse among adults who used prescription opioids. Among the entire sample, 61.4% reported no past-year prescription opioid use, 36.0% reported past-year prescription opioid use without misuse, and 2.5% reported past-year prescription opioid misuse. Among past-year prescription opioid users, 6.6% reported misuse. Past-year misuse was higher among males, adults age 50-64, misusers of prescription sedatives, stimulants, and tranquilizers, users of other substances (i.e., tobacco, marijuana, cocaine), and those with alcohol use disorder. Past-year misuse was lower among adults with 2 or more chronic diseases. Past-year prescription misuse of sedatives (AOR 4.08 [95% CI 2.05-8.12]), stimulants (AOR 3.88 [95% CI 2.00-7.53]), and tranquilizers (AOR 10.02 [95% CI 6.48-15.50]) were all associated with past-year opioid misuse. Characteristics of opioid misusers determined in this study-particularly misuse of other substances-may help determine middle-aged and older adults at risk for prescription opioid misuse.