1
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Burton J, Chua C, Popovic G, Baitch L. Predictors of opioid use for rib fractures in a regional Australian hospital. Injury 2024:111586. [PMID: 38677891 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2024.111586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rib fractures (RFs) are the leading type of single serious injury in New South Wales trauma patients. Uncontrolled pain drives the sequelae of atelectasis, pneumonia, respiratory failure, and death in severe cases. Opioids are the mainstay of management; however, they carry numerous adverse effects. Understanding patient or injury factors which predict opioid requirement is important to tailor management. Existing evidence is limited to metropolitan trauma centres (MTCs). METHODS We conducted an observational, retrospective, single-centre cohort study of all admissions to Albury Wodonga Health diagnosed with one or more RFs and discharged between January 1st, 2017, and December 31st, 2022, inclusive. Data collected included demographics, injury characteristics, and management, including analgesia. LASSO regression was performed to determine predictors of average daily opioid use for the first five days of admission in oral morphine equivalents (mg). R2 and root mean square error (RMSE) were calculated to assess model performance. RESULTS We included 624 patients. LASSO selected number of RFs, fracture displacement score, pulmonary contusion, new injury severity score, age, chest tube use, chronic pain history, opioid history and upper or middle lateral RF location categories as predictors. Sex, middle anterior, middle posterior, and lower RF location categories were excluded by LASSO. The out of sample R2 was 28.6 %. On the scale of log OME, the RMSE was 1.08. CONCLUSION The model is effective at identifying predictors of opioid use in this regional centre, which are similar to those described in evidence from MTCs. However, the low R2 with wide prediction intervals limits its utility on an individual level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Burton
- Albury-Wodonga Rural Clinical School, UNSW Medicine, 559 East Street, Albury, NSW, 2640, Australia
| | | | - Gordana Popovic
- UNSW StatsCentral, UNSW Sydney, High Street, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Luke Baitch
- Albury-Wodonga Rural Clinical School, UNSW Medicine, 559 East Street, Albury, NSW, 2640, Australia; Department of Anaesthesia, Albury Wodonga Health, PO Box 326, Albury, NSW, 2640, Australia.
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2
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Edwards GF, Mierisch C, Mutcheson B, Strauss A, Coleman K, Horn K, Parker SH. Developing medical simulations for opioid overdose response training: A qualitative analysis of narratives from responders to overdoses. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0294626. [PMID: 38547079 PMCID: PMC10977769 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Medical simulation offers a controlled environment for studying challenging clinical care situations that are difficult to observe directly. Overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) programs aim to train potential rescuers in responding to opioid overdoses, but assessing rescuer performance in real-life situations before emergency medical services arrive is exceedingly complex. There is an opportunity to incorporate individuals with firsthand experience in treating out-of-hospital overdoses into the development of simulation scenarios. Realistic overdose simulations could provide OEND programs with valuable tools to effectively teach hands-on skills and support context-sensitive training regimens. In this research, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 individuals experienced in responding to opioid overdoses including emergency department physicians, first responders, OEND program instructors, and peer recovery specialists. Two coders conducted qualitative content analysis using open and axial thematic coding to identify nuances associated with illicit and prescription opioid overdoses. The results are presented as narrative findings complemented by summaries of the frequency of themes across the interviews. Over 20 hours of audio recording were transcribed verbatim and then coded. During the open and axial thematic coding process several primary themes, along with subthemes, were identified, highlighting the distinctions between illicit and prescription opioid overdoses. Distinct contextual details, such as locations, clinical presentations, the environment surrounding the patient, and bystanders' behavior, were used to create four example simulations of out-of-hospital overdoses. The narrative findings in this qualitative study offer context-sensitive information for developing out-of-hospital overdose scenarios applicable to simulation training. These insights can serve as a valuable resource, aiding instructors and researchers in systematically creating evidence-based scenarios for both training and research purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Franklin Edwards
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Cassandra Mierisch
- Department of Basic Science Education, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Brock Mutcheson
- Office of Assessment and Program Evaluation, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Allison Strauss
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Keel Coleman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, United States of America
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Kimberly Horn
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Roanoke, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Sarah Henrickson Parker
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Roanoke, Virginia, United States of America
- Department of Health Systems and Implementation Science, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, United States of America
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3
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Darke S, Duflou J, Peacock A, Farrell M, Lappin J. A descriptive coronial study of heroin toxicity deaths in Australia, 2020-2022: Characteristics, toxicology and survival times. Addiction 2024; 119:559-569. [PMID: 37921084 DOI: 10.1111/add.16377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Mortality rates among people who use heroin are estimated to be 15 times that of the general population. The study aimed to determine (1) the case characteristics and circumstances of death of heroin-related toxicity deaths in Australia, 2020-2022; (2) their toxicological profile and major autopsy findings; (3) the proportion of cases in which blood 6-acetyl morphine (6AM) was detected, as a proxy measure of survival times; and (4) compare 6AM positive and negative cases on toxicology, circumstances of death and acute clinical presentation. DESIGN Retrospective study of heroin toxicity deaths in Australia, 2020-2022, retrieved from the National Coronial Information System. SETTING This study was conducted Australia-wide. CASES There were 610 cases of fatal heroin-related drug toxicity. MEASUREMENTS Information was collected on characteristics, manner of death, toxicology and autopsy results. FINDINGS The mean age was 42.6 years (range 18-73 years), 80.5% were male and 7.5% were enrolled in a drug treatment programme. The circumstances of death were as follows: unintentional drug toxicity (86.2%), combined unintentional drug toxicity/disease (11.3%) and intentional drug toxicity (2.5%). The median free morphine concentration was 0.17 mg/L (range 0.00-4.20 mg/L). Psychoactive drugs other than heroin were present in 95.2% (Confidence Interval 93.1%-96.8%), most commonly hypnosedatives (62.3%, 58.2%-66.4%) and psychostimulants (44.8%, 40.7%-49.1%). Major autopsy findings of clinical significance included acute bronchopneumonia (14.8%, 11.3%-18.8%), emphysema (16.9%, 13.2%-21.1%), cardiomegaly (30.1%, 12.7%-28.2%), coronary artery disease (27.4%, 23.0%-32.3%), coronary replacement fibrosis (13.4%, 10.1%-17.3%), hepatic cirrhosis (8.8%, 6.6%-12.2%) and renal fibrosis (10.3%, 7.3%-14.0%). In 47.0% (42.3%-51.2%), 6AM was present in blood. CONCLUSIONS The 'typical' heroin overdose case in Australia from 2020 to 2022 was a male who injected heroin, aged in the 40s, not enrolled in a treatment programme and had used multiple drugs. In over half of cases, there had been a sufficient survival time for 6-acetyl morphine to have been metabolised, which may indicate times in excess of 20-30 min.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane Darke
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Johan Duflou
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Amy Peacock
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael Farrell
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Julia Lappin
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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4
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Bharat C, Gisev N, Barbieri S, Dobbins T, Larney S, Buizen L, Degenhardt L. Prescription opioid use among people with opioid dependence and concurrent benzodiazepine and gabapentinoid exposure: An analysis of overdose and all-cause mortality. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 123:104287. [PMID: 38088003 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies investigating mortality risk associated with use of opioid analgesics, benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids, and opioid agonist treatment (OAT) among people with opioid dependence (PWOD) are lacking. This study addresses this gap using a cohort of 37,994 PWOD initiating opioid analgesics between July 2003 and July 2018 in New South Wales, Australia. METHODS Linked administrative records provided data on dispensings, sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, OAT, and mortality. Cox proportional hazards models assessed associations between time-varying measures of individual and concurrent medicine use and OAT with all-cause mortality, accidental opioid overdose, non-drug induced accidents, and non-drug-induced suicide. Opioid analgesic dose effects, expressed as oral morphine equivalents (OMEs) per day, were also examined. OUTCOMES During the study period, 3167 individuals died. Compared with no use, all medicines of interest were associated with increased accidental opioid overdose risk; hazard ratios (HR) ranged from 1.33 (95 % CI: 1.05-1.68) for opioid analgesic use to 6.10 (95 % CI: 4.11-9.06) for opioid analgesic, benzodiazepine and gabapentinoid use. Benzodiazepine use was associated with increased non-drug-induced accidents and non-drug-induced suicides. For all-cause mortality, all combinations of benzodiazepines and gabapentinoids with opioid analgesics were associated with increased risk (aHRs ranged from 1.35 to 2.73). For most medicines/medicine combinations, all-cause mortality risk was reduced when in OAT compared to out of OAT. Higher opioid analgesic doses were associated with increased all-cause mortality (e.g., 90-199 mg vs 1-49 mg OME per day: HR 1.90 [95 % CI: 1.52-2.40]). INTERPRETATION The increased mortality risk associated with benzodiazepines and gabapentinoids among PWOD appear to be reduced when engaged in OAT. A greater focus on encouraging OAT engagement, providing overdose prevention education, and access and coverage of overdose antidotes is necessary to minimise the unintended consequences of medicines use in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrianna Bharat
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Natasa Gisev
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | - Sarah Larney
- Université de Montréal and Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, Canada
| | - Luke Buizen
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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5
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Darke S, Farrell M, Lappin J. Overdose and suicide are different phenomena among opioid users that require different clinical management. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2023:48674231159298. [PMID: 36872821 DOI: 10.1177/00048674231159298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Given the high rates of mental health comorbidity among opioid users, and increasing rates of opioid prescription for chronic pain, psychiatrists and mental health clinicians are likely to treat patients who are dependent on opioids. Among such patients, many will have histories of opioid overdose or suicide attempts. It is tempting to assume that these are related behaviours and that 'accidental' overdoses are actually suicide attempts. We provide evidence here to demonstrate that while some overdoses are intentional, most are not. More than half of deaths among opioid users are due to unintentional overdose. Suicides constitute a minority: less than 10% of heroin user deaths are estimated to be due to suicide, as are 20-30% of prescribed opioid fatalities. Moreover, suicide attempts are more commonly made using means other than opioids. Overdose and suicide among opioid dependent patients are two distinct phenomena, associated with different risk factors, that need to be separately assessed and their respective risk managed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane Darke
- National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Farrell
- National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Julia Lappin
- National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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6
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Walsh K, Gezer N, Gaborit L, Zhou W, Banerjee A. Bones, groans and sending patients home: Perioperative opioid-related harm reduction strategy utilisation in a regional New South Wales (NSW) hospital. Aust J Rural Health 2023. [PMID: 36745537 DOI: 10.1111/ajr.12965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Perioperative initiation of opioids continues to be a major contributor to chronic use, misuse and diversion in regional areas. There is considerable effort to mitigate harm through avoiding excessive prescribing and reducing the risk of persistent postoperative opioid use. Improving perioperative documentation practices has been reported to ensure appropriate opioid initiation and de-escalation. It has not been established whether these strategies are utilised in regional hospitals. METHODS A retrospective observational study of perioperative opioid prescribing and documentation practices in Goulburn Base Hospital, a regional centre in the Southern New South Wales (NSW) Local Health District. Data were collected from 110 records and validated for adult patients undergoing elective total knee replacement (TKR) or total hip replacement (THR) from 12 January 2020 to 13 January 2021. OUTCOME MEASURES To observe perioperative opioid prescribing and utilisation of harm reduction strategies in a regional hospital. RESULTS 65% of patients were opioid naïve (ON). Preoperative pain assessments and patient education were completed in 23% and 15% of records, respectively. Postoperative opioids were prescribed for 99% of patients, with 74% prescribed a slow-release (SR) formulation. 50% of patients were discharged with an SR prescription. Inadequate postoperative pain control was reported in 21% of patients. Of the 103 patients prescribed opioids on discharge, only 20% included a de-escalation plan and only 35% of discharge summaries included dose and quantity of opioids supplies. CONCLUSIONS This study has identified underutilisation of perioperative harm reduction strategies despite the potential to improve appropriate initiation and de-escalation of opioids. These findings highlight opportunities for improvement in regional hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey Walsh
- ANU Medical School, Garran, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Nesha Gezer
- ANU Medical School, Garran, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Lorane Gaborit
- ANU Medical School, Garran, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - William Zhou
- ANU Medical School, Garran, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Arnab Banerjee
- Goulburn Base Hospital, ANU Medical School, Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia
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7
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Gjersing L, Amundsen E. Increasing trend in accidental pharmaceutical opioid overdose deaths and diverging overdose death correlates following the opioid prescription policy liberalization in Norway 2010-2018. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2022; 108:103785. [PMID: 35907371 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the last decade, opioid prescription policies in Norway have been liberalised and pharmaceutical opioid (PO) dispensing has increased. Against this backdrop, we examined the trends in and the correlates of accidental overdose deaths attributable to PO in the period 2010-2018 in comparison with traditional heroin overdose deaths. METHODS Accidental overdose deaths attributable to PO or heroin were identified through the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry (n = 1267) and cross-linked with population and patient registries. Overdose death correlates were examined using multivariable logistic regression. FINDINGS The trend in accidental overdose deaths attributable to PO increased significantly from 2010 to 2018. Females, people aged 50 years or older, disability pension recipients and/or those with the highest net wealth had a greater risk of a PO vs. heroin overdose death, while those dying in public spaces, living in urban areas, having recent specialized drug treatment encounters, and/or criminal charge(s) had a lower risk. Among those with primary health care encounters, those with back problems and accidents and injuries had a greater risk of a PO vs. heroin overdose death, while those with a substance use disorder had a lower risk. CONCLUSION The increase in accidental overdose deaths attributable to PO coincides with the period of opioid prescription policy liberalization and an increase in PO consumption in Norway. The PO and heroin overdose deaths differed in terms of the associated sociodemographic characteristics, primary and secondary health care encounters, diagnoses, and criminal charges, indicating a need for additional interventions aimed at preventing PO overdose deaths specifically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linn Gjersing
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Postboks 222 Skøyen, 0213 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Ellen Amundsen
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Postboks 222 Skøyen, 0213 Oslo, Norway
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8
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Nielsen S, Scott N, Tidhar T, Quiroga MDM, Lenton S, Dietze P. The cost and impact of distributing naloxone to people who are prescribed opioids to prevent opioid-related deaths: findings from a modelling study. Addiction 2022; 117:1009-1019. [PMID: 34793616 DOI: 10.1111/add.15727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Although most opioid-related mortality in Australia involves prescription opioids, most research to understand the impact of naloxone supply on opioid-related mortality has focused upon people who inject heroin. We aimed to examine the cost and probable impact of up-scaling naloxone supply to people who are prescribed opioids. DESIGN Decision-tree model. Four scenarios were compared with a baseline scenario (the current status quo): naloxone scale-up between 2020 and 2030 to reach 30 or 90% coverage by 2030, among the subgroups of people prescribed either ≥ 50 or ≥ 100 mg of oral morphine equivalents (OME). SETTING Australia. PARTICIPANTS People who are prescribed opioids. MEASUREMENTS Possible deaths averted, costs (ambulance and naloxone distribution) and cost per life saved for different scenarios of naloxone scale-up. FINDINGS Maintaining the status quo, there would be an estimated 7478 [uncertainty interval (UI) = 6868-8275] prescription opioid overdose deaths between 2020 and 2030, resulting in Australian dollars (A$)51.9 million (49.4, 56.0) in ambulance costs. If naloxone were scaled-up to 90% of people prescribed > 50 mg OME, an estimated 657 (UI = 245, 1489) deaths could be averted between 2020 and 2030 (a 20% reduction in the final year of the model compared with the no naloxone scenario), with a cost of A$43 600 (20 800-110 500) per life saved. If naloxone were scaled-up to 30% of people prescribed > 50 mg OME an estimated 219 (82-496) deaths could be averted with the same cost per live saved. If naloxone were restricted to those prescribed > 100 mg OME, an estimated 130 (UI = 44-289) deaths would be averted if scaled-up to 30% or 390 (UI = 131-866) deaths averted if scaled-up to 90%, with the cost per life saved for both scenarios A$38 200 (UI = 12 400-97 400). CONCLUSION In Australia, scaling-up take-home naloxone by 2030 to reach 90% of people prescribed daily doses of ≥ 50 mg of oral morphine equivalents would be cost-effective and save more than 650 lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Nielsen
- Behaviours and Health Risks, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Frankston, VIC, Australia
| | - Nick Scott
- Behaviours and Health Risks, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tom Tidhar
- Behaviours and Health Risks, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Maria Del Mar Quiroga
- Behaviours and Health Risks, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Melbourne Data Analytics Platform, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Simon Lenton
- National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | - Paul Dietze
- Behaviours and Health Risks, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Frankston, VIC, Australia.,National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
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9
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Black E, Monds LA, Chan B, Brett J, Hutton JE, Acheson L, Penm J, Harding S, Strumpman D, Demirkol A, Lintzeris N. Overdose and take-home naloxone in emergency settings: A pilot study examining feasibility of delivering brief interventions addressing overdose prevention with 'take-home naloxone' in emergency departments. Emerg Med Australas 2022; 34:509-518. [PMID: 35021268 DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.13925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although most unintentional opioid deaths in Australia are attributed to pharmaceutical opioids, take-home naloxone (THN) programmes have to date predominantly targeted people using illicit opioids in drug treatment and harm reduction settings. We sought to examine the feasibility of delivering THN brief interventions (THN-BIs) with intranasal naloxone in EDs. METHODS This pilot feasibility study was conducted across three major metropolitan EDs in Sydney and Melbourne. ED staff were surveyed about their perspectives regarding THN before completing a 30-min training programme in THN-BI delivery. Patients presenting with opioid overdose or considered high risk for future overdose were eligible to receive the THN-BI. Staff survey responses were compared between hospitals and provider types using one-way analysis of variances. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics were extracted from medical records and compared between hospitals and overdose type using Fisher's exact test and one-way analysis of variances. RESULTS One hundred and twenty-two ED staff completed the survey. One hundred and ten (90.2%) agreed that EDs should provide THN-BIs, whereas 23 (19.2%) identified time constraints and 17 (12.9%) felt uncomfortable discussing overdose with patients. Fifty-seven patients received the THN-BI, with the majority (n = 50, 87.7%) having presented following opioid overdose. The median age was 44 years and 40 (71.4%) were men. Two-thirds of the overdoses (n = 31, 66.0%) were attributed to heroin with one-third (n = 16, 34%) being attributed to pharmaceutical opioids. CONCLUSIONS ED-based delivery of THN-BIs can reach a wide range of individuals at-risk of overdose. The present study supports the feasibility of THN interventions in EDs and underscores the importance of addressing implementation barriers including staff training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Black
- Drug and Alcohol Services, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Population Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,New South Wales Drug and Alcohol Clinical Research and Improvement Network (DACRIN), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lauren A Monds
- Drug and Alcohol Services, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,New South Wales Drug and Alcohol Clinical Research and Improvement Network (DACRIN), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, Specialty of Addiction Medicine, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Betty Chan
- Emergency Department, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jonathan Brett
- New South Wales Drug and Alcohol Clinical Research and Improvement Network (DACRIN), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Alcohol and Drug Service, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jennie E Hutton
- Emergency Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Liam Acheson
- Alcohol and Drug Service, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jonathan Penm
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Pharmacy Department, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sally Harding
- Emergency Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dana Strumpman
- Pharmacy Department, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Apo Demirkol
- Drug and Alcohol Services, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Population Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,New South Wales Drug and Alcohol Clinical Research and Improvement Network (DACRIN), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicholas Lintzeris
- Drug and Alcohol Services, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,New South Wales Drug and Alcohol Clinical Research and Improvement Network (DACRIN), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, Specialty of Addiction Medicine, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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10
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Armoon B, Bayani A, Griffiths MD, Bayat AH, Mohammadi R, Fattah Moghaddam L, Ahounbar E. Prevalence and high-risk behaviors associated with non-fatal overdose among people who use illicit opioids: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2021.1978112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bahram Armoon
- Research Center, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Qc, Canada
| | - Azadeh Bayani
- Student Research Committee, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mark D. Griffiths
- International Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Amir-Hossein Bayat
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran
| | - Rasool Mohammadi
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Nutrition, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Ladan Fattah Moghaddam
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elahe Ahounbar
- Substance Abuse and Dependence Research Center, The University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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11
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Busingye D, Daniels B, Brett J, Pollack A, Belcher J, Chidwick K, Blogg S. Patterns of real-world opioid prescribing in Australian general practice (2013-18). Aust J Prim Health 2021; 27:416-424. [PMID: 34521504 DOI: 10.1071/py20270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about private-market opioid prescribing and how Australian opioid policies impact prescribing across public and private markets in Australia. We aimed to investigate publicly subsidised and private-market opioid prescribing from 2013 to 2018. We used prescribing records from MedicineInsight, an Australian primary care database, to examine trends in prescriptions for non-injectable opioid formulations from October 2013 to September 2018. We examined annual opioid prescribing trends overall, by opioid agent, and by market (public and private). We further examined patterns of fentanyl patch prescribing focusing on co-prescribed medicines and use in opioid-naïve patients. Opioids accounted for 8% of all prescriptions over the study period and 468 893 patients were prescribed at least one opioid of interest. Prescribing rates for oxycodone/naloxone and tapentadol increased, whereas those for fentanyl patches, morphine and single-agent oxycodone decreased over the study period. Private-market prescribing rates of codeine (schedule 4) increased notably following its up-scheduling to prescription-only status. Among patients prescribed fentanyl patches, 29% were potentially opioid-naïve and 49% were prescribed another opioid on the same day. The private-medicines market is a small but growing component of opioid use in Australia and one way in which prescribers and patients can avoid access restrictions in the public market for these medicines. Although fentanyl patch prescribing declined, there is room for improvement in prescribing fentanyl patches among opioid-naïve patients, and co-prescribing of fentanyl patches with other sedatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doreen Busingye
- NPS MedicineWise, Level 7/418A Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia; and Corresponding author.
| | - Benjamin Daniels
- NPS MedicineWise, Level 7/418A Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia; and Medicines Policy Research Unit, Centre for Big Data Research in Health, Level 2, AGSM Building (G27), UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Jonathan Brett
- Medicines Policy Research Unit, Centre for Big Data Research in Health, Level 2, AGSM Building (G27), UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Allan Pollack
- NPS MedicineWise, Level 7/418A Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Josephine Belcher
- NPS MedicineWise, Level 7/418A Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Kendal Chidwick
- NPS MedicineWise, Level 7/418A Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Suzanne Blogg
- NPS MedicineWise, Level 7/418A Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia
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12
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Fentanyl epidemic hits the U.S. West Coast: Opioid-related deaths in San Francisco from 2009-2019. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 95:103402. [PMID: 34364179 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid-use disorders have led to a nationwide epidemic of accidental overdoses in the United States. In recent years this opioid epidemic has worsened due to the increased availability of fentanyl in the illicit drug market. The increase in fentanyl-related deaths is well known on the U.S. East Coast, however, limited comprehensive information of mortality data exists from major West Coast cities. METHODS Following comprehensive medico-legal death and toxicological investigations, a retrospective cohort study was performed on all accidental opioid overdose deaths (AOOD) from 2009 - 2019 in San Francisco. The sex, age and race of decedents, location, and date and time of death were described and statistically compared by the type of opioid(s) causing death. RESULTS Since 2016, fentanyl deaths started to replace heroin deaths leading to a sharp increase in fatal overdoses involving fentanyl, surpassing heroin and/or medicinal opioids by 2018. Fentanyl contributed to between 3% and 12% of deaths per year from 2009 to 2015, and between 20% and 73% per year from 2016 to 2019. White and Black males represented 91.5% of all AOOD. Age groups younger than 45 died using fentanyl and heroin significantly more often than older populations (60.7% of ≤45 vs. 40.7% of >45 year-olds, χ2p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS This study shows an upward trend in fentanyl fatal accidental overdoses in recent years in a major West Coast U.S. city. These patterns appear to follow patterns seen in eastern states, albeit with an approximate 3-year delay, and may be indicative of other western populations. The described observations provide detailed demographic, chronological and toxicological information to public health and policy-making agencies for drug harm reduction measures.
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13
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Nielsen S, Sanfilippo PG, Scott D, Lam T, Smith K, Lubman DI. Characteristics of oxycodone-related ambulance attendances: analysis of temporal trends and the effect of reformulation in Victoria, Australia from 2013 to 2018. Addiction 2021; 116:2233-2241. [PMID: 33296537 DOI: 10.1111/add.15365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS In Australia, oxycodone has been associated with increasing rates of harm over time, despite reduced use, reformulation to a tamper-resistant form and in contrast to most prescription opioids. We explored characteristics of oxycodone-related ambulance attendances to understand whether presentation characteristics could explain increasing oxycodone harm. DESIGN Retrospective study of coded ambulance patient care records related to extramedical oxycodone use, January 2013 to September 2018. SETTING Victoria, Australia. CASES A total of 2788 oxycodone-related ambulance attendances. MEASUREMENTS Primary outcomes were temporal changes in characteristics of oxycodone presentations over time (from 2013 to 2018) and following reformulation. Covariates include demographic characteristics, presentation severity, mental health, substance use and poisoning intent. FINDINGS Average age was 41.3 (± 16.4) years with females comprising 56.4% of attendances (n = 2788). The proportion of females in oxycodone-related attendances increased over time [an average increase in the odds ratios of 5% per year (OR) = 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01-1.10]. Other temporal trends included a reduced likelihood of naloxone administration (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.85-1.00), heroin involvement (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.66-0.99), comorbid mental health symptoms (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.82-0.92) and unknown intent poisoning (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.85-0.96); and a greater risk of alcohol involvement (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.01-1.11), non-opioid extramedical pharmaceutical use (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.01-1.10), comorbid suicidal thoughts or behaviours (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.05-1.15) and past history of psychiatric issues (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.16-1.27). Interrupted time-series analysis showed that reformulation was associated with an immediate effect on sex, severity, accidental poisoning and unknown intent poisoning, although these were not sustained over time. Alcohol involvement in the attendance (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.17-1.74, i.e. an average increase in the odds of 43% per year), Glasgow Coma Scale (OR = 1.28, 95%CI 1.04 - 1.57), a previous history of psychiatric issues (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.70-0.92, i.e. an average decrease in the odds of 20% per year, heroin involvement (OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.05 - 0.98) and illicit drug use (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.23 - 0.87) showed statistically significant relative changes following the reformulation. CONCLUSIONS The characteristics of oxycodone presentations in Australian ambulances attendances appear to be changing over time, including more female presentations; increasing alcohol use, extramedical use of non-opioid pharmaceuticals and suicidal thoughts or behaviours and decreasing heroin and illicit drug involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Nielsen
- Monash Adiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul G Sanfilippo
- Monash Adiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Victoria, Australia
| | - Debbie Scott
- Monash Adiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Victoria, Australia.,Turning Point, Eastern Health and Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tina Lam
- Monash Adiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Victoria, Australia
| | - Karen Smith
- Monash Adiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.,Ambulance Victoria, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dan I Lubman
- Monash Adiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Victoria, Australia.,Turning Point, Eastern Health and Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
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14
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Van Den Boom W, Del Mar Quiroga M, Fetene DM, Agius PA, Higgs PG, Maher L, Hickman M, Stoové MA, Dietze PM. The Melbourne Safe Injecting Room Attracted People Most in Need of Its Service. Am J Prev Med 2021; 61:217-224. [PMID: 34011443 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2021.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In 2018, the first Medically Supervised Injecting Room in Melbourne, Australia was officially opened. This study assessed whether this facility attracted people who inject drugs, who were socially vulnerable, and who engaged in drug-related behaviors associated with increased morbidity and mortality risk. METHODS This was a cross-sectional analysis of the frequency of Medically Supervised Injecting Room use during the first 18 months after opening (July 2018-December 2019) among 658 people who inject drugs participating in the Melbourne Injecting Drug User Cohort Study (SuperMIX). To examine the differences between no Medically Supervised Injecting Room use, infrequent use (<50% injections within the facility), and frequent use (≥50% of injections within the facility), RRRs were estimated using bivariate multinomial logistic regression analyses and postestimation Wald tests. Analyses were conducted in 2020. RESULTS A total of 451 participants (68%) reported no Medically Supervised Injecting Room use, 142 (22%) reported infrequent use, and 65 (10%) reported frequent use. Participants who reported either infrequent or frequent use of the facility were more socially vulnerable (e.g., more often homeless) and more likely to report risky drug-related behaviors and poor health outcomes than those who reported no use. Participants who reported frequent use of the facility were also more likely to live close to the facility than those reporting infrequent use. CONCLUSIONS The Melbourne Medically Supervised Injecting Room attracted socially marginalized people who inject drugs who are most at risk of harms related to injecting drug use and therefore who are most in need of the service. To determine the long-term impact use of this facility on key health outcomes such as overdose, future studies should consider the differences in vulnerability and risk behavior of people who inject drugs who use the Medically Supervised Injecting Room when examining the outcomes associated with the use of the facility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Del Mar Quiroga
- Behaviours and Health Risks Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Melbourne Data Analytics Platform (MDAP), The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Paul A Agius
- Behaviours and Health Risks Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Peter G Higgs
- Behaviours and Health Risks Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lisa Maher
- Behaviours and Health Risks Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Mark A Stoové
- Behaviours and Health Risks Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Paul M Dietze
- Behaviours and Health Risks Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Melbourne, Australia.
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15
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Dunlop AJ, Lokuge B, Lintzeris N. Opioid prescribing in Australia: too much and not enough. Med J Aust 2021; 215:117-118. [PMID: 34272736 PMCID: PMC9292861 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian J Dunlop
- Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, NSW.,University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW
| | - Buddhima Lokuge
- Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, NSW.,University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW
| | - Nicholas Lintzeris
- University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW.,Drug and Alcohol Services, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW
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16
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Jones W, Lee MH(A, Kaoser R, Fischer B. Correlations between Changes in Medical Opioid Dispensing and Contributions of Fentanyl to Opioid-Related Overdose Fatalities: Exploratory Analyses from Canada. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:7507. [PMID: 34299958 PMCID: PMC8307682 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18147507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Canada is experiencing an epidemic of opioid-related mortality, with increasing yet heterogeneous fatality patterns from illicit/synthetic (e.g., fentanyl) opioids. The present study examined whether differential provincial reductions in medical opioid dispensing following restrictive regulations (post-2010) were associated with differential contributions of fentanyl to opioid mortality. Annual provincial opioid dispensing totals in defined daily doses/1000 population/day, and change rates in opioid dispensing for the 10 provinces for (1) 2011-2018 and (2) "peak-year" to 2018 were derived from a pan-Canadian pharmacy-based dispensing panel. Provincial contribution rates of fentanyl to opioid-related mortality (2016-2019) were averaged. Correlation values (Pearson's R) between provincial changes in opioid dispensing and the relative fentanyl contributions to mortality were computed for the two scenarios. The correlation between province-based changes in opioid dispensing (2011-2018) and the relative contribution of fentanyl to total opioid deaths (2016-2019) was -0.70 (t = 2.75; df = 8; p = 0.03); the corresponding correlation for opioid dispensing changes ("peak-year" to 2018) was -0.59 (t = -2.06; df = 8; p = 0.07). Provincial reductions in medical opioid dispensing indicated (near-)significant correlations with fentanyl contribution rates to opioid-related death totals. Differential reductions in pharmaceutical opioid availability may have created supply voids for nonmedical use, substituted with synthetic/toxic (e.g., fentanyl) opioids and leading to accelerated opioid mortality. Implications of these possible unintended adverse consequences warrant consideration for public health policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayne Jones
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction (CARMHA), Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Suite 2400, 515 W. Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3, Canada; (W.J.); (M.-H.L.); (R.K.)
| | - Min-Hye (Angelica) Lee
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction (CARMHA), Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Suite 2400, 515 W. Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3, Canada; (W.J.); (M.-H.L.); (R.K.)
| | - Ridhwana Kaoser
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction (CARMHA), Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Suite 2400, 515 W. Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3, Canada; (W.J.); (M.-H.L.); (R.K.)
| | - Benedikt Fischer
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction (CARMHA), Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Suite 2400, 515 W. Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3, Canada; (W.J.); (M.-H.L.); (R.K.)
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), R. Sena Madureira, 1500-Vila Clementino, São Paulo 04017-030, Brazil
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17
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Prathivadi P, Nielsen S. Should we be routinely co‐prescribing naloxone for patients on long term opioids? Med J Aust 2021; 214:403-404.e1. [DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Suzanne Nielsen
- Monash Addiction Research Centre Monash University Melbourne VIC
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18
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Minhas M, Limebeer CL, Strom E, Parker LA, Leri F. High fructose corn syrup alters behavioural and neurobiological responses to oxycodone in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2021; 205:173189. [PMID: 33845083 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
There are indications that sugars in the diet can play a role in vulnerability to opioid abuse. The current study examined a range of neuro-behavioural interactions between oxycodone (OXY) and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Male Sprague-Dawley rats had access to HFCS (0 or 50%) over 26 days in their home cages and were subsequently tested on place conditioning induced by 0, 0.16 and 2.5 mg/kg OXY (3 pairings of drug and saline, each 30 min), as well as on locomotor responses to 0, 0.16 and 2.5 mg/kg OXY, and in-vivo microdialysis was employed to measure dopamine (DA) levels in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in response to 0 and 2.5 mg/kg OXY. A complex set of interactions between HFCS exposure and responses to OXY were observed: HFCS increased place preference induced by OXY, it enhanced the suppressant effect of OXY on locomotion, and it attenuated OXY-induced elevation in DA overflow in the NAc. Taken together, these findings suggest that nutrition has the potential to influence some responses to opioids which may be relevant to their abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenu Minhas
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Cheryl L Limebeer
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Evan Strom
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Linda A Parker
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Francesco Leri
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada.
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19
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Kumar M, Rainville JR, Williams K, Lile JA, Hodes GE, Vassoler FM, Turner JR. Sexually dimorphic neuroimmune response to chronic opioid treatment and withdrawal. Neuropharmacology 2021; 186:108469. [PMID: 33485944 PMCID: PMC7988821 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Opioid use disorder is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Increasing pre-clinical and clinical evidence demonstrates sex differences in opioid use and dependence. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms contributing to these effects, including neuroinflammation, are still obscure. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of oxycodone exposure and withdrawal on sex- and region-specific neuroimmune response. Real-time PCR and multiplex cytokine array analysis demonstrated elevated neuroinflammation with increased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and aberrant oligodendroglial response in reward neurocircuitry, following withdrawal from chronic oxycodone treatment. Chronic oxycodone and withdrawal treated male mice had lower mRNA expression of TMEM119 along with elevated protein levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines and growth factors (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-7, IL-9, IL-12, IL-15, IL17, M-CSF, VEGF) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) as compared to their female counterparts. In contrast, reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-9, IL-12, CCL11) was observed in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of oxycodone and withdrawal-treated males as compared to female mice. No treatment specific effects were observed on the mRNA expression of putative microglial activation markers (Iba1, CD68), but an overall sex specific decrease in the mRNA expression of Iba1 and CD68 was found in the PFC and NAc of male mice as compared to females. Moreover, a sex and region-specific increase in the mRNA levels of oligodendrocyte lineage markers (NG2, Sox10) was also observed in oxycodone and withdrawal treated animals. These findings may open a new avenue for the development of sex-specific precision therapeutics for opioid dependence by targeting region-specific neuroimmune signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohit Kumar
- University of Kentucky, College of Pharmacy, KY, USA
| | - Jennifer R Rainville
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, School of Neuroscience, VA, USA
| | - Kori Williams
- University of Kentucky, College of Pharmacy, KY, USA
| | - Joshua A Lile
- University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, KY, USA
| | - Georgia E Hodes
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, School of Neuroscience, VA, USA
| | - Fair M Vassoler
- Tufts University, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, MA, USA
| | - Jill R Turner
- University of Kentucky, College of Pharmacy, KY, USA.
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20
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Havens JR, Knudsen HK, Strickland JC, Young AM, Babalonis S, Lofwall MR, Walsh SL. Recent Increase in Methamphetamine Use in a Cohort of Rural People Who Use Drugs: Further Evidence for the Emergence of Twin Epidemics. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:805002. [PMID: 35069295 PMCID: PMC8777215 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.805002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Appalachian Kentucky was at the epicenter of the prescription opioid epidemic in the early 2000's. As we enter the third decade of the epidemic, patterns have begun to emerge as people who use drugs (PWUD) transition from use of opioids to other drugs. The purpose of this analysis was to examine longitudinal changes in methamphetamine use in an ongoing cohort of rural people who use drugs (PWUD) in Appalachian Kentucky. All but five of the cohort participants (N = 503) reported nonmedical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) at baseline and those 498 are included in this longitudinal analysis encompassing eight waves of data (2008-2020). Past 6-month use of methamphetamine was the dependent variable. Given the correlated nature of the data, mixed effects logistic regression was utilized to examine changes in methamphetamine use over time. Significant increases in methamphetamine use were observed over the past decade in this cohort of PWUD, especially in recent years (2017-2020). Prevalence of recent use at baseline and each of the follow-up visits was as follows: 9.4, 5.6, 5.0, 5.4, 8.1, 6.8, 6.9, and 33.1%, respectively (p < 0.001). On the contrary, significant reductions in NMPO and heroin use were observed in the same time period. The odds of methamphetamine use at the most recent visit were 25.8 times greater than at baseline (95% CI: 14.9, 44.6) and 52.6% of those reporting methamphetamine use reported injecting the drug. These results provide further evidence of "twin epidemics" of methamphetamine use among NMPOU. While problematic on several fronts, of particular concern is the lack of effective treatment options for methamphetamine use disorder. As policies around the opioid epidemic continue to evolve, particular attention should be paid to the surge in stimulant use in opioid-endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Havens
- Department of Behavioral Science, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Hannah K Knudsen
- Department of Behavioral Science, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Justin C Strickland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - April M Young
- Department of Behavioral Science, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States.,Department of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Shanna Babalonis
- Department of Behavioral Science, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Michelle R Lofwall
- Department of Behavioral Science, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Sharon L Walsh
- Department of Behavioral Science, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States
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21
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Schneider S, Richter C, Niethammer R, Beisel L. Fatal and Non-Fatal Heroin-Related Overdoses: Circumstances and Patterns. Subst Use Misuse 2021; 56:1997-2006. [PMID: 34470589 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2021.1963986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Heroin overdose is a leading cause of mortality among drug users. This paper aims to identify individual and contextual factors associated with lethal and non-lethal heroin-related overdoses on the basis of case reports and semi-structured proxy interviews. Typical patterns within these cases are determined by means of cluster analysis. METHODS Within the CaRe (Case Reports of heroin-related overdoses) study, case reports (100 proxy reports of overdose events from 36 different facilities) were gathered and evaluated as part of a nationwide survey of experts conducted in Germany in 2019. Following initial descriptive analyses a two-step cluster analysis with the four binary variables of gender, age, time and place was conducted to identify patterns within the reported cases. RESULTS The case reports grouped into five clusters: 1) Younger male drug users, found in a public space during the daytime; 2) Female drug users; 3) Older male drug users, found in a public space during the daytime; 4) Drug users found at home at night; 5) Drug users found outside at night. Overdoses by female drug users and those which occurred at home and/or at night were significantly more likely to have a fatal outcome. CONCLUSION Future prevention and intervention measures should aim to consider the context, i.e. typical constellations of risk, and attempt to inhibit this through appropriate counter measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Schneider
- Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Christian Richter
- Drug Counselling Centre "Abrigado", Drug Consumption Room, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rainer Niethammer
- Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hospital "Zum Guten Hirten", Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Larissa Beisel
- Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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22
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Palumbo SA, Adamson KM, Krishnamurthy S, Manoharan S, Beiler D, Seiwell A, Young C, Metpally R, Crist RC, Doyle GA, Ferraro TN, Li M, Berrettini WH, Robishaw JD, Troiani V. Assessment of Probable Opioid Use Disorder Using Electronic Health Record Documentation. JAMA Netw Open 2020; 3:e2015909. [PMID: 32886123 PMCID: PMC7489858 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.15909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Electronic health records are a potentially valuable source of information for identifying patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether proxy measures from electronic health record data can be used reliably to identify patients with probable OUD based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) (DSM-5) criteria. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed individuals within the Geisinger health system who were prescribed opioids between December 31, 2000, and May 31, 2017, using a mixed-methods approach. The cohort was identified from 16 253 patients enrolled in a contract-based, Geisinger-specific medication monitoring program (GMMP) for opioid use, including patients who maintained or violated contract terms, as well as a demographically matched control group of 16 253 patients who were prescribed opioids but not enrolled in the GMMP. Substance use diagnoses and psychiatric comorbidities were assessed using automated electronic health record summaries. A manual medical record review procedure using DSM-5 criteria for OUD was completed for a subset of patients. The analysis was conducted beginning from June 5, 2017, until May 29, 2020. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was the prevalence of OUD as defined by proxy measures for DSM-5 criteria for OUD as well as the prevalence of comorbidities among patients prescribed opioids within an integrated health system. RESULTS Among the 16 253 patients enrolled in the GMMP (9309 women [57%]; mean [SD] age, 52 [14] years), OUD diagnoses as defined by diagnostic codes were present at a much lower rate than expected (291 [2%]), indicating the necessity for alternative diagnostic strategies. The DSM-5 criteria for OUD can be assessed using manual medical record review; a manual review of 200 patients in the GMMP and 200 control patients identifed a larger percentage of patients with probable moderate to severe OUD (GMMP, 145 of 200 [73%]; and control, 27 of 200 [14%]) compared with the prevalence of OUD assessed using diagnostic codes. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE These results suggest that patients with OUD may be identified using information available in the electronic health record, even when diagnostic codes do not reflect this diagnosis. Furthermore, the study demonstrates the utility of coding for DSM-5 criteria from medical records to generate a quantitative DSM-5 score that is associated with OUD severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Palumbo
- Department of Biomedical Science, Schmidt College of Medicine of Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Colt Young
- Geisinger Clinic, Geisinger, Danville, Pennsylvania
| | - Raghu Metpally
- Department of Molecular and Functional Genomics, Geisinger, Danville, Pennsylvania
| | - Richard C. Crist
- Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia
| | - Glenn A. Doyle
- Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia
| | - Thomas N. Ferraro
- Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, New Jersey
| | - Mingyao Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia
| | - Wade H. Berrettini
- Geisinger Clinic, Geisinger, Danville, Pennsylvania
- Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia
| | - Janet D. Robishaw
- Department of Biomedical Science, Schmidt College of Medicine of Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton
| | - Vanessa Troiani
- Geisinger Clinic, Geisinger, Danville, Pennsylvania
- Department of Imaging Science and Innovation, Geisinger, Danville, Pennsylvania
- Neuroscience Institute, Geisinger, Danville, Pennsylvania
- Department of Basic Sciences, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, Pennsylvania
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Maher E, Nielsen S, Summers R, Wood P. Core competencies for Australian pharmacists when supplying prescribed opioids: a modified Delphi study. Int J Clin Pharm 2020; 43:430-438. [PMID: 32447518 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-020-01060-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background In the past decade, there has been an increase in prescription opioid related harms. These include dependence, non-fatal and fatal overdose. Pharmacists play a an important role in safe opioid supply. As most opioids are supplied through pharmacies, pharmacists are in a prime position to reduce harms associated with opioid use. Development of specific core competencies for pharmacists may facilitate consistent and safer opioid supply. Objective To reach consensus on which competency items identified by the Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada's Opioid Working Group are considered core competencies for Australian pharmacists in opioid supply and assess expert pharmacists' perceptions of how well these competencies are currently met by practicing pharmacists. Setting Expert pharmacists in the area of opioid supply from across Australia. Method A series of questionnaires were presented to Australian opioid expert pharmacists via a modified Delphi study, with the aim to reach consensus on which items should be considered competencies for opioid supply by Australian pharmacists. Items were rated on a 6-point Likert scale and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences® (SPSS). Participants were also asked to rate how well they perceived that currently practicing pharmacists met each of these competency items. Main outcome measure Consensus on competency items for pharmacists when supplying prescribed opioids. Results All competency items presented to participants reached immediate agreement. When rating whether participants perceived currently practicing pharmacists met these competencies, results were variable. The competencies that participants rated practicing pharmacist met to a higher degree reflected knowledge and skills items that can be applied to all medications and were not opioid specific. The lower rated competencies appeared to be related to newer or more complex or specialised areas of opioid supply. Conclusion There was strong agreement by participants on what should be considered core competencies for Australian pharmacists in opioid supply. Given the large number of items identified, further research may help determine priorities for training and education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella Maher
- Department of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, PO Box 199, Bendigo, VIC, 3552, Australia
| | - Suzanne Nielsen
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Monash University, Peninsula Campus, 47-49 Moorooduc Hwy, Frankston, VIC, 3199, Australia
| | - Richard Summers
- Department of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, PO Box 199, Bendigo, VIC, 3552, Australia
| | - Pene Wood
- Department of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, PO Box 199, Bendigo, VIC, 3552, Australia.
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