Problematic Opioid Use Among Older Adults: Epidemiology, Adverse Outcomes and Treatment Considerations

Minimising Harm and Managing Pain: Deprescribing Opioids in Older Adults

Approximately one in three older adults (aged 65 years and over) experience pain, negatively impacting their quality of life. Opioid analgesics are commonly prescribed to manage pain; however, balancing the benefits and harms of these high-risk analgesics can be challenging for both healthcare professionals and patients. This is particularly true for older adults, as factors such as polypharmacy, age-related physiological changes and cognitive decline may impact upon opioid safety and efficacy. Deprescribing is the patient-centred process of reducing or discontinuing a medication that is no longer appropriate, or where the risks of continuation are deemed to outweigh the anticipated benefits. Opioid deprescribing has been proposed as a mechanism to reduce individual and societal opioid-related harm; however, to date, research has predominantly focused on the general adult population, rather than older adults. This current opinion aims to summarise the existing opioid deprescribing literature, discussing its applicability for older adults. Drawing on a non-systematic review of the literature, it identifies unique challenges and considerations for this population, highlights international initiatives to enhance opioid deprescribing in clinical practice and proposes future directions to advance the field.

Impact of disabilities in activities of daily living on opioid use for chronic pain in older adults: an exploratory secondary analysis from ELSI-Brazil

OBJECTIVES

Problematic use of opioids by older adults is associated with adverse effects and has become a public health crisis worldwide. Ageing-related disabilities in activities of daily living (ADL) could promote unnecessary use of opioids in this population. This study evaluates the association between ADL disability and opioid consumption in Brazilian older adults.

STUDY DESIGN

Study design- cross-sectional secondary data analysis of the second wave of the Brazil Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSI-Brazil).

METHODS

Data from the second wave of the Brazil Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSI-Brazil) were used. Older adults with chronic pain were included. ADL disability was measured using the Katz Index. The primary outcome was opioid consumption for chronic pain. The primary association was explored using logistic regression models adjusting for predetermined confounders. Sensitivity analyses evaluating model performance were done by calibrating and validating the model using randomly split equal sets.

RESULTS

In those who reported presence of chronic pain (n = 2865), the prevalence of opioid use was 29% (95% CI:23.1%-35.6%). In adjusted models, participants with moderate and severe ADL disability had 1.6 (95% CI:1.13-2.32; P = 0.009) and 3.8 (95% CI: 1.80-7.90; P < 0.001) times higher odds of opioid consumption compared to no disability, respectively. Being female, alcohol consumption, higher pain intensity, history of dementia, fractures, and presence of ≥2 comorbidities were significantly associated with increased opioid use (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Nearly one-third of the Brazilian elderly population experiencing chronic pain reported using opioids. The functional decline during the process of ageing appears to be a risk factor for pain intolerance and opioid use. Multidisciplinary approaches to detect early ADL disabilities and improve mobility and access to assistive technologies need to be established to prevent opioid overuse and addiction in elderly populations.

Epidemiological Aspects and Pattern of Intoxication among Elderly in Khorasan-Razavi; Northeast of Iran

This study aimed to assess the risk factors and clinical-epidemiological patterns of acute poisoning among elderly individuals to guide prevention strategies. The epidemiological, clinical data, manner and cause of poisoning, and outcome of the registered elder cases (≥ 60 years old) in the clinical toxicology department of Imam Reza Hospital of Mashhad University of Medical Silences (CTD-IRH-MUMS) were investigated for nine months. The sex and age distribution of the patients were compared with the general population of Khorasan-Razavi using direct standardization. Among the 3064 cases registered at the hospital, 124 elderly patients were included in the study. The majority (71.8%) were male, with a mean age of 69.47. Male gender was found to be a significant risk factor for poisoning among elderly individuals compared to the general population (OR = 2.62) (1.55-4.42) (p-value < 0.001), however, it was not significant for age. Substance dependency, particularly on opiates, was common among the patients (56.5%), with a higher prevalence in males. Substance overdose (35.4%) and suicide (23.3%) were the most common methods of poisoning, with varying frequencies between genders (p-value = 0.002). Male gender was identified as a risk factor for opiate intoxication (OR = 4.68, CI = 1.70-11.83, p-value < 0.05) but not for suicide attempts. The average hospital stay duration was similar between male and female patients. The mean length of hospital stay was 3.53 ± 4.02 days (median = 3.0, range = 0.5-26 days) and was similar in both sexes. In conclusion, male gender and opiate dependency were highlighted as key factors in the poisoning of elderly individuals. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing these factors in preventive measures.

The Nexus of Aging and Substance Use: A Scoping Review of Therapeutic Modalities for Geriatric Substance Use Disorders

The insidious grip of substance use disorders (SUDs) manifests as a ubiquitous public health crisis, indiscriminately affecting individuals across the spectrum of age, gender, and socioeconomic status. While advancements in treatment offer a glimmer of hope, millions continue to grapple with the debilitating physical, psychological, and social consequences of addiction, particularly those involving alcohol and opioids. This crisis is further exacerbated by the alarming rise of SUDs among older adults. As the global population undergoes a process of demographic senescence, the escalating prevalence of SUDs in this demographic underscores the urgent need for nuanced interventions. This review explores the therapeutic landscape for managing SUDs in older adults, evaluating pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment modalities. A detailed literature search was conducted using databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus, and studies were selected based on their relevance to therapeutic interventions for older adults with SUDs, encompassing pharmacological and non-pharmacological modalities. The synthesized results provide an extensive overview of contemporary therapeutic approaches. The findings indicate that pharmacological interventions demonstrate varied effectiveness in managing opioid and alcohol use disorders, with each drug offering distinct benefits and limitations regarding safety, tolerability, and patient adherence. Non-pharmacological interventions provide critical psychological and social support, often requiring adaptations to meet elderly patients' needs effectively. Integrated care models, which combine pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, emerge as the most effective approach, addressing the comprehensive needs of elderly patients by leveraging multidisciplinary teams, centralized service access, and coordinated, patient-centered care. Implementing these models, however, requires overcoming significant resource and coordination challenges. Indeed, the confluence of a burgeoning geriatric population and escalating rates of SUDs necessitates the development and implementation of granular and integrated care protocols specifically designed for older adults. By employing such a targeted approach, optimism can be cultivated and the quality of life enhanced for this vulnerable and often overlooked segment of society. This ensures the fight against addiction extends its reach, leaving no one behind.

An age-friendly opioid use disorder (OUD) care workshop: applying the 5Ms framework

Over the last two decades, the rate of fatal overdoses among adults 65 years and older has risen exponentially. Older adults are more vulnerable to opioids yet are less likely to have their opioid use disorder (OUD) recognized and treated. The prevalence of geriatric syndromes is higher among older adults with OUD, yet there is limited attention on how improving current OUD treatment for older adults can address their complex care needs. A case-based workshop was presented at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Society of General Internal Medicine to provide generalists with training, skills, and resources to care for aging adults with OUD through the lens of the Geriatrics 5 Ms framework. After an introductory background, workshop participants engaged in a 5-part mega-case designed to encourage discussion and empower participants to apply each of the 5 Ms to the care of older adults with OUD. Attendees rated the workshop highly in achieved learning objectives, quality, facilitation, and planned incorporation of learned knowledge to teaching, research, patient care, or administration. An interactive case-based workshop on applying the 5 Ms framework to the care of older adults with OUD is feasible, replicable, and may promote age-friendly care for this patient population.

Changes in self-rated physical and mental health and life satisfaction associated with opioid and potentially inappropriate opioid prescribing in primary care older adults

OBJECTIVE

To examine changes in life satisfaction and physical and mental health associated with opioid and potentially inappropriate opioid prescribing (PIOP) among older adults.

METHODS

Secondary data analysis from the Étude sur la Santé des Aînés (ESA)-Services study. The sample consisted of 945 older adults recruited in primary care with available health survey information linked to administrative medical record data. The exposure of interest was categorized as no prescription, opioid prescription, and PIOP, defined using the Beers criteria. Outcomes were self-rated physical health, mental health, and life satisfaction measured at baseline and at a 3-year follow-up. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine 3-year changes in outcomes as a function of opioid prescribing. Analyses were adjusted for covariates relating to health, psychosocial, and sociodemographic factors as well as duration/frequency of opioid prescribing. Analyses were conducted in the overall sample and in non-cancer patients.

RESULTS

The sample had an average age of 73.1 years; the majority was Canadian-born (96.3%) while females made up over half (55.4%) the sample. Compared to not receiving an opioid prescription, PIOP was associated with a deterioration in physical health (ORadjusted = 0.65; 95%CI = 0.49, 0.86), but not mental health and life satisfaction. In non-cancer patients, PIOP was associated with poorer physical health (ORadjusted = 0.59; 95%CI = 0.40, 0.87) and opioid prescribing was marginally associated with improved life satisfaction (ORadjusted = 1.58; 95%CI = 0.96, 2.60).

CONCLUSION

PIOP was associated with a deterioration in physical health. Patient-centred chronic pain management and the effect on health and well-being require further study in older adults.

Gaining Recovery in Addiction for Community Elders (GRACE) Project: The Impact of Age-Specific Care on Clinical Outcomes and Health Care Resource Utilization in Older Adults With Substance Use Disorder in an Interprofessional Addiction Clinic

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of substance use disorders (SUDs) in older adults has been increasing, necessitating tailored and effective addiction care for this aging demographic.

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of age-specific, interprofessional addiction care on clinical outcomes and health care resource utilization in older adults with SUD.

METHODS

This quasi-experimental study directly compares patients enrolled in the Gaining Recovery in Addiction for Community Elders (GRACE) Project, an interprofessional age-specific addictions treatment program, with age-matched older adults who received conventional "treatment as usual" (TAU). Through retrospective comparative analysis, substance use outcomes, mental and physical health improvements, and inappropriate use of emergency services were examined among 78 older adults with SUD.

RESULTS

Clinical outcomes and health care resource utilization were superior for older adults who received age-specific addictions care through the GRACE Project, as compared to mixed-age conventional "TAU." GRACE patients had improved treatment adherence, fewer relapses, and longer treatment engagement. While both groups exhibited significant reductions in depression and anxiety scores, GRACE patients showed greater improvements. This group demonstrated superior control of both hypertension and diabetes. Importantly, they had fewer inappropriate emergency department visits and avoidable hospitalizations than conventional "TAU."

CONCLUSIONS

Addiction treatment delivered by an interprofessional team to meet the unique strengths and needs of older adults has the potential to improve treatment adherence and more favorable long-term outcomes in substance use, mental health, and chronic medical conditions. Nurses are poised to lead interprofessional teams to meet the growing demand for specialized addiction treatment and integrated care for older adults.

Pain Medication Frequency and Fall Risk Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Arthritis

Pain medication is commonly used among older adults with arthritis, elevating the risk of falling. We examined fall risks related to the frequency of taking pain medication among community-dwelling older adults with arthritis by analyzing a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries aged >65 with self-reported arthritis (n = 4,225) in the 2015 National Health and Aging Trends Study. The survey-weighted logistic regression revealed that after controlling for confounding factors, recent falls were associated with taking pain medication daily compared to never (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.96). The other categories of medication frequency, compared to never, were not associated with fall risk. Findings suggest that more prudent use of pain medication should be stressed by health care providers for older adults with arthritis to help reduce the risk of falls and fall injuries. Nonpharmacological pain management is encouraged to support active living among older adults with arthritis.

Pharmacologic profile of ITI-333: a novel molecule for treatment of substance use disorders

RATIONALE

Medications are urgently needed to treat symptoms of drug withdrawal and mitigate dysphoria and psychiatric comorbidities that drive opioid abuse and relapse. ITI-333 is a novel molecule in development for treatment of substance use disorders, psychiatric comorbidities, and pain.

OBJECTIVE

Characterize the preclinical profile of ITI-333 using pharmacological, behavioral, and physiological assays.

METHODS

Cell-based assays were used to measure receptor binding and intrinsic efficacy of ITI-333; animal models were employed to assess effects on opioid reinstatement, precipitated oxycodone withdrawal, and drug abuse liability.

RESULTS

In vitro, ITI-333 is a potent 5-HT2A receptor antagonist (Ki = 8 nM) and a biased, partial agonist at μ-opioid (MOP) receptors (Ki = 11 nM; lacking β-arrestin agonism) with lesser antagonist activity at adrenergic α1A (Ki = 28 nM) and dopamine D1 (Ki = 50 nM) receptors. In vivo, ITI-333 blocks 5-HT2A receptor-mediated head twitch and MOP receptor-mediated effects on motor hyperactivity in mice. ITI-333 alone is a naloxone-sensitive analgesic (mice) which suppresses somatic signs of naloxone-precipitated oxycodone withdrawal (mice) and heroin cue-induced reinstatement responding without apparent tolerance or physical dependence after chronic dosing (rats). ITI-333 did not acutely impair gastrointestinal or pulmonary function (rats) and was not intravenously self-administered by heroin-maintained rats or rhesus monkeys.

CONCLUSIONS

ITI-333 acts as a potent 5-HT2A receptor antagonist, as well a biased MOP receptor partial agonist with low intrinsic efficacy. ITI-333 mitigates opioid withdrawal/reinstatement, supporting its potential utility as a treatment for OUD.

Review of Opioid Abuse-Deterrent Formulations: Impact and Barriers to Access

The misuse and abuse of opioid analgesics continue to pose a serious public health concern, but for some patients, opioids remain an important analgesic option. Extended-release (ER) opioid formulations are effective for treating chronic pain and are supported by multiple 12-week efficacy studies. ER opioids often contain a high opioid content, and similar to immediate-release (IR) formulations, are subject to abuse, misuse, and diversion. Unintentional misuse may also occur when ER formulations are manipulated for medicinal administration, such as crushing a dose for easier oral intake. As part of a multipronged strategy designed to fight the opioid epidemic, abuse-deterrent formulations (ADFs) were developed to deter misuse, abuse, and diversion of opioids by making manipulation more difficult and nonoral routes of administration less rewarding. Although ADF opioids have been shown to decrease rates of abuse and diversion, they are not equally effective in terms of deterring manipulation for abuse or misuse. Xtampza ER utilizes DETERx technology, which allows it to retain ER characteristics when chewed or crushed, making it the only ER opioid without a boxed warning against these types of manipulation. OxyContin was also developed as an ADF but uses RESISTEC technology, making the tablet hard to crush and viscous in aqueous solutions. ADF utilization has been hampered by patient access issues, including high prices due to lack of insurance coverage. Postmarket real-world studies demonstrate lower rates of abuse, misuse, and diversion for ADF ER opioids compared with non-ADF formulations. However, similar studies comparing abuse-related effectiveness and health care costs for ADF opioids are warranted if clinicians are expected to utilize these potentially safer opioid formulations. These studies would support further education surrounding the benefits and utilization of ADFs and manipulation potential of different ADFs.

Reducing overdose deaths among persons with opioid use disorder in connecticut

BACKGROUND

People in Connecticut are now more likely to die of a drug-related overdose than a traffic accident. While Connecticut has had some success in slowing the rise in overdose death rates, substantial additional progress is necessary.

METHODS

We developed, verified, and calibrated a mechanistic simulation of alternative overdose prevention policy options, including scaling up naloxone (NLX) distribution in the community and medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) among people who are incarcerated (MOUD-INC) and in the community (MOUD-COM) in a simulated cohort of people with OUD in Connecticut. We estimated how maximally scaling up each option individually and in combinations would impact 5-year overdose deaths, life-years, and quality-adjusted life-years. All costs were assessed in 2021 USD, employing a health sector perspective in base-case analyses and a societal perspective in sensitivity analyses, using a 3% discount rate and 5-year and lifetime time horizons.

RESULTS

Maximally scaling NLX alone reduces overdose deaths 20% in the next 5 years at a favorable incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER); if injectable rather than intranasal NLX was distributed, 240 additional overdose deaths could be prevented. Maximally scaling MOUD-COM and MOUD-INC alone reduce overdose deaths by 14% and 6% respectively at favorable ICERS. Considering all permutations of scaling up policies, scaling NLX and MOUD-COM together is the cost-effective choice, reducing overdose deaths 32% at ICER $19,000/QALY. In sensitivity analyses using a societal perspective, all policy options were cost saving and overdose deaths reduced 33% over 5 years while saving society $338,000 per capita over the simulated cohort lifetime.

CONCLUSIONS

Maximally scaling access to naloxone and MOUD in the community can reduce 5-year overdose deaths by 32% among people with OUD in Connecticut under realistic budget scenarios. If societal cost savings due to increased productivity and reduced crime costs are considered, one-third of overdose deaths can be reduced by maximally scaling all three policy options, while saving money.

The Need for Comprehensive Medical Management in Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis: A Review Article

The incidence of spontaneous or primary spondylodiscitis has been increasing over the years, affecting the aging population with multiple comorbidities. Several conditions influencing treatment outcomes stand out, such as diabetes mellitus, renal insufficiency, cardiovascular and respiratory dysfunction, and malnutrition. Due to these, the question arises regarding properly managing their current conditions and pre-existing disease states. Treatment plans must consider all concomitant comorbidities rather than just the infectious process. This can be done with the help of multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive care for patients with pyogenic spondylodiscitis. To date, there is no article regarding comprehensive medicine for spontaneous pyogenic spondylodiscitis; hence, this paper reviews the evidence available in current literature, recognizes knowledge gaps, and suggests comprehensive care for treating patients with spinal infections. Pre-requisites for implementing multidisciplinary teams include leadership, administrative support, and team dynamics. This group comprises an appointed leader, coordinator, and different subspecialists, such as orthopedic surgeons, infectious disease specialists, internists, rehabilitation doctors, psychiatrists, microbiologists, radiologists, nutritionists, pharmacologists, nurses, and orthotists working together with mutual trust and respect. Employing collaborative teams allows faster time for diagnosis and improves clinical outcomes, better quality of life, and patient satisfaction. Forefront communication is clear and open between all team members to provide holistic patient care. With these in mind, the need for employing multidisciplinary teams and the feasibility of its implementation emerges, showing a promising and logical path toward providing comprehensive care in managing multimorbid patients with pyogenic spondylodiscitis.

Designing and developing a nature-based virtual reality with heart rate variability biofeedback for surgical anxiety and pain management: evidence from total knee arthroplasty patients

OBJECTIVES

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most common joint surgeries, with over a million procedures performed annually in the US. Over 70% of patients report moderate to high pain and anxiety surrounding TKA surgery, and 96% are discharged with an opioid prescription. This population requires special attention as approximately 90% of TKA patients are older adults and one of the riskiest groups prone to misusing opioids. This study aimed to develop and compare the efficacy of nature-based virtual reality (VR) with heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVBF) to mitigate surgical pain and anxiety.

METHODS

This randomized control trial recruited 30 patients (mean age = 66.3 ± 8.2 years, 23 F, 7 M) undergoing TKA surgery and randomly assigned to a control, 2D video with HRVBF, or VR with HRVBF group. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure pain levels before and after the intervention. In addition, a second VAS and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used to measure anxiety before and after the intervention. Electrocardiogram (ECG) was used to continuously measure HRV and respiration rate in preoperative and postoperative settings.

RESULTS

VR and 2D-video with HRVBF decreased pain and anxiety post-intervention compared with the control group, p's <.01. On analyzing physiological signals, both treatment groups showed greater parasympathetic activity levels, and VR with HRVBF reduced pain more than the 2D video, p < .01.

CONCLUSIONS

Nature-based VR and 2D video with HRVBF can mitigate surgical pain and anxiety. However, VR may be more efficacious than 2D video in reducing pain.

Burden of Chronic and Heavy Opioid Use Among Elderly Community Dwellers in the U.S

Introduction

Opioid overprescribing may fuel the opioid epidemic and increase the risk of complications of opioid misuse. This study examined trends and determinants of chronic and heavy opioid use among elderly community dwellers in the U.S.

Methods

Medicare Current Beneficiary Surveys data from 2006 to 2019 were used. Common opioid medications were identified in the prescription medication files (n=47,264). Patients with Chronic users were defined as those receiving 6 or more opioid prescriptions within a year or on medication for 3 or more months, and heavy users were those having an average daily dose of 90 or more morphine milligram equivalents or 3,780 morphine milligram equivalents or more per continuous treatment episode.

Results

One in 6 elderly community dwellers ever used opioids during the study period. Chronic users were more likely to be women than men (68.9% vs 31.1%, p<0.001). Of all survey participants, 4.3% were chronic users, and 2.8% were heavy users. Among ever users, 27.7% were chronic users, and 18.1% were heavy users. The rate of opioid use rose from 12.1% in 2006, peaked at 22.8% in 2013, and decreased to 11.7% in 2019. Chronic use was 5.1%, 10.7%, and 7.6%, respectively. Heavy use was 5.5%, 10.7%, and 7.6%, respectively. However, for chronic and heavy users, there was no significant difference in the median opioid dosage and opioid duration between males and females.

Conclusions

Among elderly Medicare beneficiaries, opioid prescriptions have been decreasing since 2013. However, a substantial number of elderly people were chronic and heavy users, calling for better opioid management among them.

Take-Home Naloxone Access and Use among Older Adults Living with Pain: A Scoping Review

Background

Opioids are a common treatment for older adults living with pain. Given high rates of polypharmacy and chronic comorbidities, older adults are at risk of opioid overdose. Evidence is now available that take-home naloxone (THN) supports reduction of opioid-related harms. It is unknown what THN initiatives are available for older adults, especially those living with chronic pain.

Objective

To summarize the literature regarding THN, with a focus on older adults using opioids for pain, including facilitators of and barriers to THN access, knowledge gaps, and pharmacist-led initiatives.

Data Sources

A scoping review, guided by an established framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, was performed. Methods involved searching 6 bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science Core Collection, and PubMed), reference harvesting, and citation tracking. Searches were conducted up to March 2023, with no date limits applied; only English publications were included.

Study Selection and Data Extraction

Study eligibility was determined according to preset criteria, including age; discrepancies were resolved by discussion and consensus. Data were extracted and categorized through thematic analysis.

Data Synthesis

Four studies met the eligibility criteria. All 4 studies detailed THN programs in primary care settings involving older adults taking opioids for pain management. Two of the studies highlighted patient-specific risk factors for opioid overdose, including concomitant use of benzodiazepines and/or gabapentinoids, mean morphine milligram equivalents per day of at least 50, and previous opioid overdose. Two of the studies assessed patient knowledge of opioid overdose management and attitudes toward THN. Educational programs increased patients' interest in THN.

Conclusions

The literature about THN for older adults living with pain is limited, and no literature was found on pharmacist-led initiatives in this area. Future research on THN provision for older adults, including pharmacist-led initiatives, could help to optimize care for older adults living with pain.

Equity of overdose education and naloxone distribution provided in the Kentucky HEALing Communities Study

Background

Opioid overdoses differentially affect demographic groups. Strategies to reduce overdose deaths, specifically overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND), are not consistently delivered equitably.

Methods

The HEALing Communities StudySM (HCS) is a cluster-randomized trial designed to implement evidence-based practices, including OEND, to reduce overdose deaths across communities. Individuals receiving OEND in eight Kentucky counties between January 2020 and June 2022 provided demographics and overdose history. Recipient characteristics were compared to opioid overdose decedent characteristics to evaluate whether OEND was equitably delivered to the target population. Recipient characteristics were also analyzed based on whether OEND was delivered in criminal justice, behavioral health, or health care facilities.

Results

A total of 26,273 demographic records were analyzed from 137 partner agencies. Most agencies were in behavioral health (85.6 %) or criminal justice sectors (10.4 %). About half of OEND recipients were male (50.6 %), which was significantly lower than the 70.3 % of overdose decedents who were male, (p<0.001). OEND recipients tended to be younger than overdose decedents, but there were not significant differences in race/ethnicity between OEND recipients and overdose decedents. Over 40 % of OEND recipients had overdosed, and 68.9 % had witnessed a prior overdose. There were notable differences across facility types, as males and Black individuals accounted for fewer OEND recipients in addiction treatment facilities compared to jails.

Conclusion

Although OEND recipients' demographics resembled those of decedents, specific attention should be paid to ensuring equitable OEND access. Variation in OEND uptake by facility type may reflect biases and barriers to care.

Mortality in Treatment-seeking Older Adults Receiving Medications for Opioid Use Disorder

OBJECTIVES

Older adults (OAs; age 55+ years) are increasingly seeking specialty treatment of opioid use disorder. Previous analyses of the Treatment Episode Data Set-Discharges (TEDS-D) database have reported higher rates of in-treatment mortality for those receiving medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). We evaluate current trends in mortality for treatment-seeking OAs.

METHODS

Using the 2020 TEDS-D, logistic regression predicted in-treatment mortality for OAs from planned MOUD, service level, and interaction terms.

RESULTS

Of the 26,993 OA treatment discharges, 679 people were discharged due to death (2.52%). OAs with MOUD (3.65%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.37%-3.95%) were significantly more likely to discharge due to death than those without MOUD (0.82%; 95% CI, 0.66%-1.01%). Most records were for nonintensive outpatient (83.7%; n = 22,588), which had the highest mortality (2.89%; 95% CI, 2.68%-3.11%); intensive services (n = 4405) had a mortality rate of 0.61% (95% CI, 0.42%-0.89%). Among OAs, planned MOUD with nonintensive outpatient services had a mortality rate of 4.17% (95% CI, 3.56%-4.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

This TEDS-D analysis extends previous literature highlighting a significant interaction between planned MOUD and service intensity on in-treatment mortality for OAs. Additional research is needed to address the causal mechanisms behind these interactions and inform the delivery of safe effective care in the growing OA population.

The I-STOP Program and Narcotic Prescriptions Following Facial Reconstructive Plastic Surgeries

OBJECTIVES

To explore the effect of e-prescribing requirements on narcotic dispersion in New York State. Slicer Dicer was used to identify patient records based on CPT codes.

METHODS

We investigated the influence of New York State e-prescribing requirements on narcotic dispersion following five common facial plastics procedures. Slicer Dicer was used to identify patient records based on CPT codes.We then looked at narcotic prescription rates following those surgeries between March 2014 and March 2018 at an academic institution.

RESULTS

Overall, between March 2014 and March 2018, 76.1% of the sample received a narcotic prescription following a facial reconstructive plastic surgery. Patients who underwent rhinoplasty were most likely to receive a prescription for postoperative narcotics. The implementation of ISTOP, CPT code, use of non-narcotic adjuvant, and insurance type were each significantly associated with prescription of postoperative narcotics. Surgery time and age in years were significantly associated with prescription of postoperative narcotics. Ultimately, when controlling for the aforementioned clinical and sociodemographic variables included in the study, those who underwent surgery after the implementation of ISTOP were 42.8% less likely to receive a prescription for postoperative narcotics, aOR = 0.572, 95% CI 0.356, 0.919, p = 0.021.

CONCLUSIONS

New York State's ISTOP program has succeeded in reducing the number of postoperative narcotic prescriptions following facial plastic reconstructive surgeries at this academic institution. However, opioid medications can still be utilized for postoperative analgesia when clinically appropriate.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 Laryngoscope, 134:1208-1213, 2024.

Mortality and health-related quality of life in older adults with long-term use of opioids, z-hypnotics or benzodiazepines: a prospective observational study at 5 years follow-up

OBJECTIVES

Disease and medication use in older age is a consequence of age-related declining health. Multimorbidity followed by polypharmacy is common. Central nervous system depressing (CNSD) drugs such as opioids, benzodiazepines and z-hypnotics are not recommended for long-term use in older adults but are in use by many. We aimed to assess mortality and change in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in older adults with long-term use of CNSDs.

METHOD

A prospective observational study was conducted at Akershus University Hospital, Norway, 2017-2019, with follow-up in 2021-2022, including 246 participants aged 65-90. At 5-year follow-up, 78 (32%) participants had passed away. Mortality data were collected from patient electronic health records. Of the surviving 168 (68%), we collected further follow-up data from 38 (16%) participants. Follow-up included demographic and clinical data. The EuroQuol Group EQ-5D-5L questionnaire was used to measure HRQoL. Analysis include Cox regression model for survival data and linear mixed model for change in HRQoL over time.

RESULTS

At follow-up, 78 (31.7%) were deceased. Mean survival time was 3.3 years. Total time for survival data was 4.7 years. Mortality was higher among participants with long-term use of CNSD (HR 1.9 95% CI (1.2 to 3.2), p=0.01). The multivariable analysis found being older (HR 1.1 95% CI (1.0 to 1.1), p=0.020) and male sex (HR 2.1 95% CI (1.2 to 3.5), p=0.008) to be associated with increased risk of mortality. According to the linear mixed model (n=38), there was no significant difference between surviving users and non-users in change in HRQoL EQ-5D-5L index from baseline to follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Mortality was higher for long-term users of CNSDs at 5-year follow-up. Being older and male sex were associated with mortality. Among survivors, there was no significant difference between the groups in change of HRQoL over time.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03162081; 22 May 2017.

Prediction of adverse events risk in patients with comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder using electronic medical records by deep learning models

BACKGROUND

Identifying co-occurring mental disorders and elevated risk is vital for optimization of healthcare processes. In this study, we will use DeepBiomarker2, an updated version of our deep learning model to predict the adverse events among patients with comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD), a high-risk population.

METHODS

We analyzed electronic medical records of 5565 patients from University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to predict adverse events (opioid use disorder, suicide related events, depression, and death) within 3 months at any encounter after the diagnosis of PTSD+AUD by using DeepBiomarker2. We integrated multimodal information including: lab tests, medications, co-morbidities, individual and neighborhood level social determinants of health (SDoH), psychotherapy and veteran data.

RESULTS

DeepBiomarker2 achieved an area under the receiver operator curve (AUROC) of 0.94 on the prediction of adverse events among those PTSD+AUD patients. Medications such as vilazodone, dronabinol, tenofovir, suvorexant, modafinil, and lamivudine showed potential for risk reduction. SDoH parameters such as cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma focused psychotherapy lowered risk while active veteran status, income segregation, limited access to parks and greenery, low Gini index, limited English-speaking capacity, and younger patients increased risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Our improved version of DeepBiomarker2 demonstrated its capability of predicting multiple adverse event risk with high accuracy and identifying potential risk and beneficial factors.

Opioid agonist treatment in transition: A cross-country comparison between Austria, Germany and Switzerland

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

OAT is a well developed and successful treatment strategy for opioid dependent patients in Europe. It has significantly contributed to the fight against the HIV and HCV pandemics, leading to an increased life expectancy in this population. Building on the OAT experiences in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland and their models of care, the objective of this study is to analyse experiences and changes in patient structures to identify necessary adaptations for the system of care.

METHODS

We analysed national register-based data from patients receiving OAT during the period spanning from 2010 to 2020 in Austria, Germany (cases), and Switzerland. We examined and compared OAT policies and practice at national levels through a review of literature and publicly available policy documents.

RESULTS

Across these three countries, the life expectancy of OAT patients increased substantially. The mean age increased from 33.0 in 2010 to 39.1 in 2020 in Austria, from 35.6 years to 41.5 years in Germany (cases), and from 39.6 to 47.1 in Switzerland, respectively. In all three countries, the percentage of patients/cases aged 60 years and older increased more than tenfold between 2010 and 2020.

CONCLUSIONS

Integrated support models, reliable care structures, internationally comparable high treatment coverage, flexible prescribing practices, and a wide range of available OAT medications are successful strategies. The experiences in these countries indicate that it is possible to address the complex and chronic nature of opioid dependence and its concurrent mental and physical health challenges, resulting in an increasing life expectancy of OAT patients.

Association between self-reported pain severity and characteristics of United States adults (age ≥50 years) who used opioids

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the associations between the characteristics of United States (US) adults (≥50 years) who used opioids and self-reported pain severity using a nationally representative dataset.

METHODS

This retrospective cross-sectional database study used 2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data to identify US adults aged ≥50 years with self-reported pain within the past 4 weeks and ≥1 opioid prescription within the calendar year (n = 1,077). Weighted multivariable logistic regression analysis modeled associations between various characteristics and self-reported pain severity (quite a bit/extreme vs less/moderate pain).

RESULTS

The adjusted logistic regression model indicated that greater odds of reporting quite a bit/extreme pain was associated with the following: age 50-64 vs ≥65 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.22-2.54), non-Hispanic vs Hispanic (AOR = 2.0; CI = 1.18-3.39), unemployed vs employed (AOR = 2.01; CI = 1.33-3.05), no health insurance vs private insurance (AOR = 6.80; CI = 1.43-32.26), fair/poor vs excellent/very good/good health (AOR = 3.10; CI = 2.19-4.39), fair/poor vs excellent/very good/good mental health (AOR = 2.16; CI = 1.39-3.38), non-smoker vs smoker (AOR = 1.80; CI = 1.19-2.71), and instrumental activity of daily living, yes vs no (AOR = 2.27; CI = 1.30-3.96).

CONCLUSION

Understanding the several characteristics associated with pain severity in US adults ≥50 years who used an opioid may help transform healthcare approaches to prevention, education, and management of pain severity in later life.

Association of opioid or other substance use disorders with health care use among patients with suicidal symptoms

INTRODUCTION

Prior literature establishes noteworthy relationships between suicidal symptoms and substance use disorders (SUDs), particularly opioid use disorder (OUD). However, engagement with health care services among this vulnerable population remains underinvestigated. This study sought to examine patterns of health care use, identify risk factors in seeking treatment, and assess associations between outpatient service use and emergency department (ED) visits.

METHODS

Using electronic health records (EHRs) derived from five health systems across New York City, the study selected 7881 adults with suicidal symptoms (including suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, or self-harm) and SUDs between 2010 and 2019. To examine the association between SUDs (including OUD) and all-cause service use (outpatient, inpatient, and ED), we performed quasi-Poisson regressions adjusted for age, gender, and chronic disease burden, and we estimated the relative risks (RR) of associated factors. Next, the study evaluated cause-specific utilization within each resource category (SUD-related, suicide-related, and other-psychiatric) and compared them using Mann-Whitney U tests. Finally, we used adjusted quasi-Poisson regression models to analyze the association between outpatient and ED utilization among different risk groups.

RESULTS

Among patients with suicidal symptoms and SUD diagnoses, relative to other SUDs, a diagnosis of OUD was associated with higher all-cause outpatient visits (RR: 1.22), ED visits (RR: 1.54), and inpatient hospitalizations (RR: 1.67) (ps < 0.001). Men had a lower risk of having outpatient visits (RR: 0.80) and inpatient hospitalizations (RR: 0.90), and older age protected against ED visits (RR range: 0.59-0.69) (ps < 0.001). OUD was associated with increased SUD-related encounters across all settings, and increased suicide-related ED visits and inpatient hospitalizations (p < 0.001). Individuals with more mental health outpatient visits were less likely to have suicide-related ED visits (RR: 0.86, p < 0.01), however this association was not found among younger and male patients with OUD. Although few OUD patients received medications for OUD (MOUD) treatment (9.9 %), methadone composed the majority of MOUD prescriptions (77.7 %), of which over 70 % were prescribed during an ED encounter.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reinforces the importance of tailoring SUD and suicide risk interventions to different age groups and types of SUDs, and highlights missed opportunities for deploying screening and prevention resources among the male and OUD populations. Redressing underutilization of MOUD remains a priority to reduce acute health outcomes among younger patients with OUD.

Concurrent Gabapentin and Opioid Use and Risk of Mortality in Medicare Recipients with Non-Cancer Pain

Gabapentin is prescribed for pain and is perceived as safe generally. However, gabapentin can cause respiratory depression, exacerbated by concomitant central nervous system depressants (e.g., opioids), a concern for vulnerable populations. We compared mortality rates among new users of either gabapentin or duloxetine with or without concurrent opioids in the 20% Medicare sample. We conducted a new-user design retrospective cohort study, in Medicare enrollees ages 65-89 years with noncancer chronic pain and no severe illness who filled prescriptions between 2015 and 2018 for gabapentin (n = 233,060) or duloxetine (n = 34,009). Daily opioid doses, estimated in morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs), were classified into none, low (0 < MME < 50), and high (≥ 50 MME), based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. The outcomes were all-cause mortality (primary) and out-of-hospital mortality (secondary). We used inverse probability of treatment weighting to adjust for differences between gabapentin and duloxetine users. During 116,707 person-years of follow-up, 1,379 patients died. All-cause mortality rate in gabapentin users was 12.16 per 1,000 person-years vs. 9.94 per 1,000 in duloxetine users. Risks were similar for users with no concurrent opioids (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.80-1.31) or low-dose daily opioids (aHR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.63-1.76). However, gabapentin users receiving concurrent high-dose daily opioids had an increased rate of all-cause mortality compared with duloxetine users on high-dose opioids (aHR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.19-3.46). Out-of-hospital mortality yielded similar results. In this retrospective cohort study of Medicare beneficiaries, concurrent use of high-dose opioids and gabapentin was associated with a higher all-cause mortality risk than that for concurrent use of high-dose opioids and duloxetine.

Acute Pain and Development of Opioid Use Disorder: Patient Risk Factors

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pharmacological therapy for acute pain carries the risk of opioid misuse, with opioid use disorder (OUD) reaching epidemic proportions worldwide in recent years. This narrative review covers the latest research on patient risk factors for opioid misuse in the treatment of acute pain. In particular, we emphasize newer findings and evidence-based strategies to reduce the prevalence of OUD.

RECENT FINDINGS

This narrative review captures a subset of recent advances in the field targeting the literature on patients' risk factors for OUD in the treatment for acute pain. Besides well-recognized risk factors such as younger age, male sex, lower socioeconomic status, White race, psychiatric comorbidities, and prior substance use, additional challenges such as COVID-19 further aggravated the opioid crisis due to associated stress, unemployment, loneliness, or depression. To reduce OUD, providers should evaluate both the individual patient's risk factors and preferences for adequate timing and dosing of opioid prescriptions. Short-term prescription should be considered and patients at-risk closely monitored. The integration of non-opioid analgesics and regional anesthesia to create multimodal, personalized analgesic plans is important. In the management of acute pain, routine prescription of long-acting opioids should be avoided, with implementation of a close monitoring and cessation plan.

Pain With Differing Insufflation Pressures During Robotic Sacrocolpopexy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether decreasing insufflation pressure reduces postoperative pain and opioid use in women undergoing robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy.

METHODS

In a single-blinded randomized trial, women with pelvic organ prolapse underwent robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy at either 12 mm Hg (experimental) or 15 mm Hg (standard) insufflation pressure. The primary outcome was pain rating on a visual analog scale (VAS) on postoperative day 1 within 24 hours of surgery. Secondary outcomes included VAS pain rating at outpatient follow-up, inpatient and outpatient use of opioids, operative time, and estimated blood loss. A margin of 15 mm was considered clinically different on the VAS, and at 80% power, a sample size of at least 64 participants was needed to show significance.

RESULTS

From April 27, 2021, to May 17, 2022, 80 women were enrolled, with 41 in the experimental group and 39 in the standard group. All participants underwent surgery as planned and attended a 2-week postoperative follow-up. Participants in the experimental group had less pain on postoperative day 1 with median VAS of 17.0 mm (interquartile range 26.0) compared with 29.0 mm (interquartile range 32.0, P=.007) in the standard group. No differences were noted in the secondary outcomes of operative time, estimated blood loss, or length of stay. Participants in the experimental group were noted to use fewer opioids while an inpatient (P=.04) and outpatient (P=.02). In multivariable analyses, lower insufflation pressure and increasing age were negatively associated with postoperative VAS scores.

CONCLUSION

Lowering insufflation pressure (12 mm Hg) during robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy safely reduced postoperative pain and opioid use compared with standard pressure (15 mm Hg).

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinialTrials.gov, NCT04858438.

Mindfulness-Based Group Therapy for Chronic Pain Management in Older Adults

OBJECTIVES

There were two quality improvement goals for this project: (1) to evaluate the outcomes of an 8-week geriatric-focused mindfulness-based group therapy program for chronic pain management called "Mindfulness-based Chronic Pain Care" offered at a senior community center affiliated with a geriatric primary care clinic, and (2) to obtain feedback from participants to make relevant modifications for future groups.

METHODS

The program consisted of eight 150-minute weekly sessions. Thirteen community-dwelling older adults aged 60 and older participated in the program. The study utilized a non-randomized control-group pretest-posttest design. Participants completed pre- and post-program evaluations measuring pain and related psychosocial outcomes and were also asked to evaluate the importance of the group. Intervention and control groups were compared by t-test, chi-square likelihood ratio, Fischer's exact test, and multivariate analysis of variance with repeated measures.

RESULTS

There were statistically significant improvements in three areas: 1) increased activity level, 2) increased "pain willingness," and 3) decreased generalized anxiety symptoms. Qualitative analysis highlighted how this intervention was important to participants.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this pilot program indicate promising outcomes for older adults suffering from chronic pain.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The Mindfulness-based Chronic Pain Care program was a practical, feasible, and acceptable approach for pain management among program participants.

Management of Older Adults with Sickle Cell Disease: Considerations for Current and Emerging Therapies

People with sickle cell disease (SCD) are living longer than ever before, with the median survival increasing from age 14 years in 1973, beyond age 40 years in the 1990s, and as high as 61 years in recent cohorts from academic centers. Improvements in survival have been attributed to initiatives, such as newborn screening, penicillin prophylaxis, vaccination against encapsulated organisms, better detection and treatment of splenic sequestration, and improved transfusion support. There are an estimated 100,000 people living with SCD in the United States and millions of people with SCD globally. Given that the number of older adults with SCD will likely continue to increase as survival improves, better evidence on how to manage this population is needed. When managing older adults with SCD (defined herein as age ≥ 40 years), healthcare providers should consider the potential pitfalls of extrapolating evidence from existing studies on current and emerging therapies that have typically been conducted with participants at mean ages far below 40 years. Older adults with SCD have historically had little to no representation in clinical trials; therefore, more guidance is needed on how to use current and emerging therapies in this population. This article summarizes the available evidence for managing older adults with SCD and discusses potential challenges to using approved and emerging drugs in this population.

Opioid Use Behaviors Among People With Disability in the United States: An Analysis of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health

OBJECTIVE

People with disability (PWD) often experience chronic pain, and opioid is widely used prescription medication. However, population-based evidence of opioid use behaviors among PWD is lacking. This study examined the prevalence of opioid use behaviors by sociodemographic and health-related characteristics among PWD compared with people without disability (PWoD).

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used data from 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Three types of opioid use behaviors (any use, misuse, and use disorder) were defined and compared by disability status. Five self-reported disability types were measured, including hearing, vision, cognitive, mobility, and complex activity limitations. Complex survey design-adjusted descriptive and logistic regression models were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Of 201,376 respondents aged 18 years or older, 34.6% reported any opioid use, 4.2% opioid misuse, and 0.8% opioid use disorder. Compared with PWoD, PWD had higher prevalence of any opioid use (49.7% vs 30.7%), misuse (6.2% vs 3.7%), and use disorder (1.7% vs 0.8%). In adjusted analysis, PWD with mobility limitation (odds ratio [OR], 1.95; 95% confidence interval, 1.81-2.11) or multiple limitations (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.83-2.02) were almost 2 times more likely to report any opioid use than PWoD. The likelihood of reporting any opioid use (ORs, 1.42-2.50), misuse (ORs, 1.24-2.41), and disorder (ORs, 1.38-2.54) increased as the number of limitations increased.

CONCLUSIONS

People with vision, cognitive, or multiple limitations had higher rates of opioid misuse and disorder than PWoD. Development of more inclusive opioid abuse prevention strategies for PWD is warranted.

Co-use of cannabis and prescription opioids in adults in the USA: a population-based, cross-sectional analysis of the NHANES from 2009 to 2018

INTRODUCTION

Cannabis and cannabinoids continue to gain popularity as adjuncts or alternatives to opioids in pain management, with evolving evidence of effectiveness. The relationship between cannabis and opioid use has previously been investigated in smaller cohorts or ecological samples, but not yet in a nationally representative sample.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis of adults in the USA was undertaken using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2009 to 2018. The primary exposure was self-reported use of at least one opioid-containing prescription medication in the 30 days prior to survey administration. The outcome of interest was self-reported cannabis use in the same period. Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for sociodemographic and health-related covariates, and NHANES survey sample weights were included in modeling. Prescription opioid users were then subclassified as short-term users (<90 days) or chronic users (≥90 days) in secondary analysis.

RESULTS

A total 10,928 survey respondents were included in analyses, representing 110 million adults in the USA aged 18-59. In this weighted cohort, 5.6%±0.4% reported a recent opioid prescription. Among prescription opioid users, 18.4%±3.1% reported recent cannabis use, not significantly different from 17.7%±0.7% among non-users (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.36, p=0.714). After adjustment for covariates, opioid users were significantly less likely to have recently used cannabis (adjusted OR, aOR 0.70, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.97, p=0.032). When opioid users were subclassified by duration of prescription, there was no detectable difference in recent cannabis use between chronic opioid users and short-term opioid users (aOR 1.11, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.78, p=0.649).

CONCLUSION

Recent prescription opioid use was associated with decreased odds of cannabis use in this cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative cohort. These findings suggest that use of cannabis or prescription opioids may not independently promote use of the other.

The association between benzodiazepine use and greater risk of neurocognitive impairment is moderated by medical burden in people with HIV

Benzodiazepine use is linked to neurocognitive impairment (NCI) in the general population and people with HIV (PWH); however, this relationship may depend on age-related factors such as medical comorbidities, which occur at an elevated rate and manifest earlier in PWH. We retrospectively examined whether chronological age or medical burden, a clinical marker for aging, moderated the relationship between benzodiazepine use and NCI in PWH. Participants were 435 PWH on antiretroviral therapy who underwent neurocognitive and medical evaluations, including self-reported current benzodiazepine use. A medical burden index score (proportion of accumulated multisystem deficits) was calculated from 28 medical deficits. Demographically corrected cognitive deficit scores from 15 neuropsychological tests were used to calculate global and domain-specific NCI based on established cut-offs. Logistic regressions separately modeled global and domain-specific NCI as a function of benzodiazepine x age and benzodiazepine x medical burden interactions, adjusting for current affective symptoms and HIV disease characteristics. A statistically significant benzodiazepine x medical burden interaction (p = .006) revealed that current benzodiazepine use increased odds of global NCI only among those who had a high medical burden (index score > 0.3 as indicated by the Johnson–Neyman analysis), which was driven by the domains of processing speed, motor, and verbal fluency. No age x benzodiazepine interactive effects on NCI were present. Findings suggest that the relationship between BZD use and NCI among PWH is specific to those with greater medical burden, which may be a greater risk factor for BZD-related NCI than chronological age.

Opioid Consumption in Chronic Pain Patients: Role of Perceived Injustice and Other Psychological and Socioeconomic Factors

BACKGROUND

Chronic pain is a complex biopsychosocial phenomenon. Lifestyle, behavioral, socioeconomic, and psychosocial factors such as depression and perceived injustice are often associated with the development of chronic pain and vice versa. We sought to examine the interaction of these factors with opioid intake.

METHODS

At our institution, 164 patients with chronic pain undergoing an interdisciplinary assessment within a three-month period participated in the study and completed the Injustice Experience Questionnaire (IEQ). Data regarding opioid intake, pain levels, pain diagnosis, depression, anxiety, stress, quality of life, pain-related disability, habitual well-being, occupational status, and ongoing workers compensation litigation were extracted from the patients' charts.

RESULTS

Approximately one-fourth of the patients used opioids. The IEQ total was significantly higher in patients using Schedule III opioids. Depression, but not the anxiety and stress scores, were significantly higher in patients using opioids. There were no significant differences regarding pain-related disability, habitual well-being, and the coded psychosocial diagnoses. In the patient group without opioids, the percentage of employed persons was significantly higher but there were no significant differences regarding work leave, pension application, or professional education.

CONCLUSIONS

Opioid use appears to be more closely related to psychological factors and single social determinants of pain than to somatic factors.

Prescribed opioid use is associated with increased all-purpose emergency department visits and hospitalizations in community-dwelling older adults in the United States

BACKGROUND

The geriatric and health characteristics of older adults make them more susceptible to the effects of opioids than younger groups. The number of older adults in the United States visiting the emergency department (ED) and overusing opioids has increased in recent years. Research examining their relationship is, however, limited.

METHODS

Using information from the 2020 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), we included older adults aged 65 and older. To investigate the relationship between prescribed opioid use and 12-months ED visits and hospitalizations, linear regression and logistic regression models were built while adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, education, employment, general health status, history of depression, and living arrangement.

RESULTS

Our study population consisted of 8,631 participants (mean age 74.3). Most of them were females (58.3%) and Caucasian (81.6%). About 16% of the participants used prescribed opioids over the past 12 months. Of the participants with prescribed opioid use, 65.1% of them did so to treat chronic pain. The adjusted regression models revealed that prescribed opioid use was independently and positively associated with 12-months ED visits (β = 0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.18, 0.26) and hospitalizations (Odds ratio [OR] = 3.78, 95% CI 3.29, 4.35). Other risk factors for 12-months ED visits and/or hospitalizations included advanced age, male gender, unemployment/retirement, African American ethnicity, living alone, fair or poor general health status, and history of depression.

DISCUSSIONS

Clinicians should screen older adults at high risk for ED visits and hospitalizations and explore multimodal pain management with them to help them reduce/stop using opioids. These efforts may decrease their chronic pain, opioid use, opioid use-related adverse health outcomes, ED visits, as well as hospitalizations.

Problematic Opioid Use: A Scoping Literature Review of Profiles

Background and Objectives:

Problematic opioid use can be defined as opioid use behaviors leading to social, medical, or psychological consequences. In some instances, people presenting problematic opioid use can also meet criteria for an opioid use disorder. A growing body of literature highlights different types of people who use opioids, with contrasting characteristics and initiation patterns. In recent years, dynamic trends in opioid use have been documented and studies have demonstrated a shift in profiles.

Methods:

A scoping literature review was conducted to identify profiles of people presenting problematic opioid use, in order to support the development of tailored interventions and services.

Results:

Nine articles met the inclusion criteria. Five classifications emerge from the literature reviewed to distinguish types of people presenting problematic opioid use, according to: (1) the type of opioids used, (2) the route of opioid administration, (3) the level of quality of life, (4) patterns of other drugs used, and (5) dependence severity. While samples, concepts, and measurement tools vary between studies, the most salient finding might be the distinct profile of people presenting problematic use of pharmaceutical-type opioids.

Discussion and Conclusions:

This scoping review highlights that few studies address distinctive profiles of people presenting problematic opioid use. Geographical and chronological differences suggest that local timely assessments may be needed to tailor the service offer to specific needs.

Scientific Significance:

Future studies should focus on providing a deep understanding of distinct experiential perspectives and service needs, through exploratory quantitative and qualitative designs.