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Mariottini C, Häkkinen M, Kriikku P, Ojanperä I. Buprenorphine deaths confirmed by toxicology reveal a low proportion of opioid agonist treatment before death in Finland. Int J Legal Med 2024:10.1007/s00414-024-03273-5. [PMID: 38910139 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-024-03273-5] [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: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
We studied opioid agonist treatment (OAT) status before buprenorphine-related death in Finland, where buprenorphine is the principal OAT medicine and also the most misused opioid, through a retrospective population-based study using medico-legal cause-of-death investigation and OAT patient records. The study included all death cases (N = 570) between 2018 and 2020 with a buprenorphine or norbuprenorphine finding in post-mortem toxicology and with known drug misuse history or concomitant findings of illicit drugs. Of the deceased, 10% had received OAT in the year before death. Less than 1% of individuals < 25 years had received OAT, whereas the proportion in individuals ≥ 25 years was 13% (p < 0.001). There were significantly more females and more fatal poisonings (p < 0.001) among those < 25 years than among those ≥ 25 years. OAT medication at the time of death was sublingual buprenorphine-naloxone in 74% and subcutaneous buprenorphine in 23%. Except for significantly fewer benzodiazepine findings among those receiving OAT, minimal differences were found in terms of age, gender, cause and manner of death, or concomitant substance use between the deceased in and outside of OAT. Concomitant misuse of benzodiazepines, psychostimulants, alcohol, and gabapentinoids was frequent both in and outside of OAT and likely contributed to the death. These results suggest that access to OAT especially for young people and treatment of multiple addictions should be improved. Comprehensive information from medico-legal cause-of-death investigation as a starting point, combined with subsequent ante-mortem patient records, proved to be a successful approach to shed light on the Finnish scene of buprenorphine mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Mariottini
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21(Haartmaninkatu 3), Helsinki, 00014, Finland.
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, Helsinki, 00271, Finland.
| | - Margareeta Häkkinen
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, Helsinki, 00271, Finland
- A-Clinic Ltd, Kuortaneenkatu 2, Helsinki, 00510, Finland
| | - Pirkko Kriikku
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21(Haartmaninkatu 3), Helsinki, 00014, Finland
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, Helsinki, 00271, Finland
| | - Ilkka Ojanperä
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21(Haartmaninkatu 3), Helsinki, 00014, Finland
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, Helsinki, 00271, Finland
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Frauger E, Fouilhé N, Lacroix C, Daveluy A, Le Boisselier R, Bertin C, Revol B, Carton L, Chevalier C, Eiden C, Gibaja V, Aquizerate A, Chaouachi L, Bouquet E, Roussin A, Mallaret M, Micallef J. [Increase of overdose and deaths related to methadone during COVID-19 epidemic in 2020]. Therapie 2024; 79:297-306. [PMID: 37391322 PMCID: PMC10266982 DOI: 10.1016/j.therap.2023.06.004] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Due to the risk of overdoses increase especially with methadone, a reinforced monitoring has been set up by the French Addictovigilance Network following the first lockdown related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this context, we managed a specific study to analyze overdoses related to methadone in 2020 compared to 2019. MATERIAL AND METHODS We analyzed methadone-related overdoses which occurred in 2019 and 2020 from two sources: DRAMES program (deaths with toxicological analysis) and the French pharmacovigilance database (BNPV) (overdoses that did not lead to death). RESULTS Data from DRAMES program in 2020 show methadone as the first drug involved in deaths as well as an increase in deaths: in number (n=230 versus n=178), in proportion (41% versus 35%) and number of deaths per 1000 exposed subjects (3.4 versus 2.8). According to BNPV, the number of overdose increased in 2020 compared to 2019 (98 versus 79; i.e., 1.2-fold increase) particularly during several target periods: first lockdown, end of lockdown/summer period and second lockdown. In 2020, a higher number of cases were observed in April (n=15) and May (n=15). Overdoses and deaths occurred in subjects enrolled in treatment programs or not (naïve subjects/occasional users who obtained methadone from street market or family/friends). Overdoses resulted from different factors: overconsumption, multiple drug use with depressants drugs or cocaine, injection, consumption for sedative, recreational purposes or voluntary drug poisoning. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION All these data show an increase of morbidity and mortality related to methadone during COVID-19 epidemic. This trend has been observed in other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Frauger
- Centre d'addictovigilance, service de pharmacologie clinique, hôpital de la Timone, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Aix-Marseille université, institut de neurosciences des systèmes, Inserm UMR1106, 13005 Marseille, France.
| | - Nathalie Fouilhé
- Centre d'addictovigilance, CHU de Grenoble-Alpes, 38043 Grenoble, France
| | - Clémence Lacroix
- Centre d'addictovigilance, service de pharmacologie clinique, hôpital de la Timone, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Aix-Marseille université, institut de neurosciences des systèmes, Inserm UMR1106, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Amélie Daveluy
- Centre d'addictovigilance, département de pharmacologie, hôpital Pellegrin, CHU de Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - Reynald Le Boisselier
- Centre d'addictovigilance, service de pharmacologie, CHU de Caen, 14033 Caen, France
| | - Célian Bertin
- Centre d'addictovigilance, service de pharmacologie médicale, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, université Clermont Auvergne, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Bruno Revol
- Centre d'addictovigilance, CHU de Grenoble-Alpes, 38043 Grenoble, France
| | - Louise Carton
- Centre d'addictovigilance, service de pharmacologie, faculté de médecine-pôle recherche, 59037 Lille, France
| | - Cécile Chevalier
- Centre d'addictovigilance, service hospitalo-universitaire de pharmacotoxicologie, hospices civils de Lyon, 69424 Lyon cedex, France
| | - Céline Eiden
- Centre d'addictovigilance, département de pharmacologie médicale et toxicologie, hôpital Lapeyronie, CHU de Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Valérie Gibaja
- Centre d'addictovigilance, CHRU de Nancy, hôpital Brabois, 54511 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France
| | - Aurélie Aquizerate
- Centre d'addictovigilance, service de pharmacologie clinique, institut de biologie, CHU de Nantes, 44093 Nantes, France
| | - Leila Chaouachi
- Centre d'addictovigilance, hôpital Fernand-Widal, 75475 Paris, France
| | - Emilie Bouquet
- Centre d'addictovigilance, service de pharmacologie clinique et vigilances, CHU de Poitiers, 86021 Poitiers, France
| | - Anne Roussin
- Centre d'addictovigilance, faculté de médecine, 31000 Toulouse, France
| | - Michel Mallaret
- Centre d'addictovigilance, CHU de Grenoble-Alpes, 38043 Grenoble, France
| | - Joëlle Micallef
- Centre d'addictovigilance, service de pharmacologie clinique, hôpital de la Timone, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Aix-Marseille université, institut de neurosciences des systèmes, Inserm UMR1106, 13005 Marseille, France
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Russell C, Ashley J, Ali F, Bozinoff N, Corace K, Marsh DC, Mushquash C, Wyman J, Zhang M, Lange S. Examining inequities in access to opioid agonist treatment (OAT) take-home doses (THD): A Canadian OAT guideline synthesis and systematic review. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 127:104343. [PMID: 38554565 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Daily supervised Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) medication has been identified as a barrier to treatment retention. Canadian OAT guidelines outline take-home dose (THD) criteria, yet, OAT prescribers use their clinical judgement to decide whether an individual is 'clinically stable' to receive THD. There is limited information regarding whether these decisions may result in inequitable access to THD, including in the context of updated COVID-19 guidance. The current Canadian OAT THD guideline synthesis and systematic review aimed to address this knowledge gap. METHODS This systematic review included a two-pronged approach. First, we searched available academic literature in Embase, Medline, and PsychINFO up until October 12th, 2022, to identify studies that compared characteristics of individuals on OAT who had and had not been granted access to THD to explore potential inequities in access. Next, we identified all Canadian national and provincial OAT guidelines through a semi-structured grey literature search (conducted between September-October 2022) and extracted all THD 'stability' and allowances/timeline criteria to compare against characteristics identified in the literature search. Data from both review arms were synthesized and narratively presented. RESULTS A total of n = 56 guidelines and n = 7 academic studies were included. The systematic review identified a number of patient characteristics such as age, sex, race/ethnicity, marital status, housing, employment, neighborhood income, drug use, mental health, health service utilization, as well as treatment duration that were associated with differential access to THD. The Canadian OAT THD guideline synthesis identified many of these same characteristics as 'stability' criteria, underscoring the potential for Canadian OAT guidelines to result in inequitable access to THD. CONCLUSIONS This two-pronged literature review demonstrated that current guidelines likely contribute to inequitable OAT THD access due primarily to inconsistent 'stability' criteria across guidelines. More research is needed to understand differential OAT THD access with a focus on prescriber decision-making and evaluating associated treatment and safety outcomes. The development of a client-centered, equity-focused, and evidence-informed decision making framework that incorporates more clear definitions of 'stability' criteria and indications for prescriber discretion is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cayley Russell
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada, M5S 2S1; Ontario Node, Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse (CRISM), Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada, M5S 2S1; Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Room 2374, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 1A8.
| | - Jenna Ashley
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada, M5S 2S1
| | - Farihah Ali
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada, M5S 2S1; Ontario Node, Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse (CRISM), Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada, M5S 2S1
| | - Nikki Bozinoff
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5T 1R8; Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, 5th floor, Toronto, Canada, M5G1V7
| | - Kim Corace
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Roger Guindon Hall, 451 Smyth Rd #2044, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1H 8M5; Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders Program, The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Center, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1Z 7K4; University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Center, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1Z 7K4
| | - David C Marsh
- NOSM University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, P3E 2C6; ICES North, 56 Walford Road, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, P3E 2H3; Health Science North Research Institute, 56 Walford Road, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, P3E 2H3
| | - Christopher Mushquash
- Department of Psychology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Jennifer Wyman
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, 5th floor, Toronto, Canada, M5G1V7; Women's College Hospital, 76 Grenville St, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1B2, Canada
| | - Maria Zhang
- Pharmacy Services, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M6J 1H4; Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Canada, M5S 3M2
| | - Shannon Lange
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada, M5S 2S1; Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Room 2374, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 1A8; Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5T 1R8; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, 8th floor, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5T 1R8
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Roberts E. Letter from America: A British addiction psychiatrist's experience of opioid agonist treatment in the United States. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION TREATMENT 2024; 158:209253. [PMID: 38072384 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2023.209253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Emmert Roberts
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1070 Arastradero Rd., Ste 200, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States of America.
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Qian G, Humphreys K, Goldhaber-Fiebert JD, Brandeau ML. Estimated effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of opioid use disorder treatment under proposed U.S. regulatory relaxations: A model-based analysis. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 256:111112. [PMID: 38335797 PMCID: PMC10940194 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
AIM To assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of buprenorphine and methadone treatment in the U.S. if exemptions expanding coverage for substance use disorder services via telehealth and allowing opioid treatment programs to supply a greater number of take-home doses of medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) continue (Notice of Proposed Rule Making, NPRM). DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Model-based analysis of buprenorphine and methadone treatment for a cohort of 100,000 individuals with OUD, varying treatment retention and overdose risk among individuals receiving and not receiving methadone treatment compared to the status quo (no NPRM). INTERVENTION Buprenorphine and methadone treatment under NPRM. MEASUREMENTS Fatal and nonfatal overdoses and deaths over five years, discounted lifetime per person QALYs and costs. FINDINGS For buprenorphine treatment under the status quo, 1.21 QALYs are gained at a cost of $19,200/QALY gained compared to no treatment; with 20% higher treatment retention, 1.28 QALYs are gained at a cost of $17,900/QALY gained compared to no treatment, and the strategy dominates the status quo. For methadone treatment under the status quo, 1.11 QALYs are gained at a cost of $17,900/QALY gained compared to no treatment. In all scenarios, methadone provision cost less than $20,000/QALY gained compared to no treatment, and less than $50,000/QALY gained compared to status quo methadone treatment. CONCLUSIONS Buprenorphine and methadone OUD treatment under NPRM are likely to be effective and cost-effective. Increases in overdose risk with take-home methadone would reduce health benefits. Clinical and technological strategies could mitigate this risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Qian
- Department of Management Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Keith Humphreys
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Margaret L Brandeau
- Department of Management Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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6
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Scott J, Family H, Kesten JM, Hines L, Millar J. Understanding and learning from rural drug service adaptations to opioid substitution therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic: the What C-OST? study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1240402. [PMID: 38098825 PMCID: PMC10720718 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1240402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction In April 2020, in response to government COVID-19 advice, changes were made to the way English drug services operated. Methadone and buprenorphine were typically dispensed in 1- to 2-week supplies, and key working was conducted by phone/online. Previous studies have examined the impact of these changes on people from urban settings. This study adds the experiences and perspectives of people receiving care from drug services in rural areas and makes suggestions for future emergency planning. Methods Telephone semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 people receiving care in Somerset, Wiltshire, and Suffolk, rural counties in England. Reflexive thematic analysis was used. Results Three overarching themes were found. "Challenges of rural lockdown" (theme 1) describes how rural community challenges, especially reduced or no rural public transport, were experienced. This hampered some OST collections, with consequential drug use. It also impeded connections to loved ones, worsening isolation. For participants who were struggling pre-pandemic, the intersection between this and their experience of revised drug service operations is embodied in "Amplification of Social Disconnection: Cut off and unheard" (theme 2). They felt a lack of support, particularly from remote provision key working. Participants who had supportive relationships and time in the pandemic occupied in ways they found meaningful, and others who struggled with anxiety or depression, found pandemic changes "Fits better with my life" (theme 3). They experienced more freedom for other things, gained support by other means, such as family, or felt more comfortable with remote engagement. A cross-cutting sub-theme "Understandable Interruptions" showed acceptance of pandemic disruptions. Conclusion National guidance and organizational policy impacted participants in different ways. Those who had supportive relationships and occupied time were better able to make positive use of newfound freedoms and engage with community-level support. In contrast, those who had less stability, including mental health struggles and social isolation, felt cut off and unheard, particularly from key workers. Reduced rural transport was a significant community-level issue, which impeded OST collection and social support. We suggest emergency response plans be created for individuals taking account of their pre-existing personal situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Scott
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Family
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioral Science and Evaluation, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- The National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration West, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna May Kesten
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioral Science and Evaluation, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- The National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration West, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Lindsey Hines
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Josie Millar
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
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Abstract
This paper is the forty-fifth consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2022 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (1), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (2) and humans (3), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (4), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (5), stress and social status (6), learning and memory (7), eating and drinking (8), drug abuse and alcohol (9), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (10), mental illness and mood (11), seizures and neurologic disorders (12), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (13), general activity and locomotion (14), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (15), cardiovascular responses (16), respiration and thermoregulation (17), and immunological responses (18).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, USA.
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8
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Perino J, Demourgues M, Ramaroson H, Bezin J, Micallef J, Miremont-Salamé G, Frauger E, Gilleron V, Ong N, Daveluy A. Increase in hospitalisation-associated methadone intoxication in France following first COVID-19 lockdown. Public Health 2023; 223:1-6. [PMID: 37572562 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2023.07.004] [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: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the French Addictovigilance Network drew attention to the need to facilitate access to methadone while ensuring its safe use, in order to avoid the occurrence of overdoses and deaths. The objectives of the study were to assess the impact of the lockdowns on the incidence of methadone-use-related hospitalisations (MUHs) and describe the characteristics of patients and hospitalisations. STUDY DESIGN An interrupted time series using the unobserved components model was performed to predict the monthly incidence of MUHs in 2020 on the basis of previous years' data and compared with MUHs observed. Data were presented with prediction intervals (PI95%). METHODS This retrospective study was conducted on patients hospitalised in France for methadone between 2014 and 2020, using the French national database hospital discharge database. Patients' characteristics and hospitalisations were described over four periods: before lockdown, first lockdown, after first lockdown, and second lockdown. RESULTS Compared to the predictions, a higher incidence of MUH was found during the first lockdown, especially in March 2020 (66 cases vs. 51.3; PI95%: 34-65), and there was a large increase during the month following the end of the first lockdown (79 cases vs. 61; PI95%: 46-75). Coconsumptions (alcohol, cannabis, cocaine) were more frequent during the first lockdown, whereas patients aged over 30 years were more concerned thereafter. The second lockdown did not present any particularity. CONCLUSIONS The first lockdown had a significant impact on the incidence of MUHs. These results confirm the data from the reinforced national monitoring during first lockdown published in 2020, where methadone was the primary substance involved in overdoses and deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Perino
- Service de Pharmacologie Médicale, CHU de Bordeauxx, Centre de Pharmacovigilance de Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; University Bordeaux, INSERM, BPH, U1219, CHU de Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - M Demourgues
- Service de Pharmacologie Médicale, CHU de Bordeauxx, Centre de Pharmacovigilance de Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - H Ramaroson
- Service d'Information Médicale, Unité de Coordination et d'Analyse de l'Information Médicale-département d'Information Médicale (UCAIM-DIM), CHU de Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - J Bezin
- University Bordeaux, INSERM, BPH, U1219, CHU de Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - J Micallef
- Centre d'Addictovigilance, Aix Marseille University, AP-HM, INSERM, Institute Neuroscience System, Service de Pharmacologie Clinique et Pharmacovigilance, Marseille, France
| | - G Miremont-Salamé
- Service de Pharmacologie Médicale, CHU de Bordeauxx, Centre de Pharmacovigilance de Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; University Bordeaux, INSERM, BPH, U1219, CHU de Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; Service de Pharmacologie Médicale, Centre d'Addictovigilance, CHU de Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - E Frauger
- Centre d'Addictovigilance, Aix Marseille University, AP-HM, INSERM, Institute Neuroscience System, Service de Pharmacologie Clinique et Pharmacovigilance, Marseille, France
| | - V Gilleron
- Service d'Information Médicale, Unité de Coordination et d'Analyse de l'Information Médicale-département d'Information Médicale (UCAIM-DIM), CHU de Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - N Ong
- Service d'Information Médicale, Unité de Coordination et d'Analyse de l'Information Médicale-département d'Information Médicale (UCAIM-DIM), CHU de Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - A Daveluy
- Service de Pharmacologie Médicale, CHU de Bordeauxx, Centre de Pharmacovigilance de Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; University Bordeaux, INSERM, BPH, U1219, CHU de Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; Service de Pharmacologie Médicale, Centre d'Addictovigilance, CHU de Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France.
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Adams A, Blawatt S, Magel T, MacDonald S, Lajeunesse J, Harrison S, Byres D, Schechter MT, Oviedo-Joekes E. The impact of relaxing restrictions on take-home doses during the COVID-19 pandemic on program effectiveness and client experiences in opioid agonist treatment: a mixed methods systematic review. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 2023; 18:56. [PMID: 37777766 PMCID: PMC10543348 DOI: 10.1186/s13011-023-00564-9] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic led to an unprecedented relaxation of restrictions on take-home doses in opioid agonist treatment (OAT). We conducted a mixed methods systematic review to explore the impact of these changes on program effectiveness and client experiences in OAT. METHODS The protocol for this review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022352310). From Aug.-Nov. 2022, we searched Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Web of Science, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, and the grey literature. We included studies reporting quantitative measures of retention in treatment, illicit substance use, overdose, client health, quality of life, or treatment satisfaction or using qualitative methods to examine client experiences with take-home doses during the pandemic. We critically appraised studies using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. We synthesized quantitative data using vote-counting by direction of effect and presented the results in harvest plots. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic synthesis. We used a convergent segregated approach to integrate quantitative and qualitative findings. RESULTS Forty studies were included. Most were from North America (23/40) or the United Kingdom (9/40). The quantitative synthesis was limited by potential for confounding, but suggested an association between take-home doses and increased retention in treatment. There was no evidence of an association between take-home doses and illicit substance use or overdose. Qualitative findings indicated that take-home doses reduced clients' exposure to unregulated substances and stigma and minimized work/treatment conflicts. Though some clients reported challenges with managing their medication, the dominant narrative was one of appreciation, reduced anxiety, and a renewed sense of agency and identity. The integrated analysis suggested reduced treatment burden as an explanation for improved retention and revealed variation in individual relationships between take-home doses and illicit substance use. We identified a critical gap in quantitative measures of patient-important outcomes. CONCLUSION The relaxation of restrictions on take-home doses was associated with improved client experience and retention in OAT. We found no evidence of an association with illicit substance use or overdose, despite the expansion of take-home doses to previously ineligible groups. Including patient-important outcome measures in policy, program development, and treatment planning is essential to ensuring that decisions around take-home doses accurately reflect their value to clients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Adams
- Centre for Health Evaluation & Outcome Sciences, Providence Health Care, St. Paul's Hospital, 575-1081 Burrard St., Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Sarin Blawatt
- Centre for Health Evaluation & Outcome Sciences, Providence Health Care, St. Paul's Hospital, 575-1081 Burrard St., Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Tianna Magel
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Scott MacDonald
- Providence Health Care, Providence Crosstown Clinic, 84 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BCV6B 1G6, Canada
| | - Julie Lajeunesse
- Providence Health Care, Providence Crosstown Clinic, 84 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BCV6B 1G6, Canada
| | - Scott Harrison
- Providence Health Care, Providence Crosstown Clinic, 84 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BCV6B 1G6, Canada
| | - David Byres
- Provincial Health Services Authority, 200-1333 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V6H 4C1, Canada
| | - Martin T Schechter
- Centre for Health Evaluation & Outcome Sciences, Providence Health Care, St. Paul's Hospital, 575-1081 Burrard St., Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Eugenia Oviedo-Joekes
- Centre for Health Evaluation & Outcome Sciences, Providence Health Care, St. Paul's Hospital, 575-1081 Burrard St., Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
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Sekeris A, Algahtani T, Aldabergenov D, Rock KL, Auwal F, Aldewaissan F, Williams BD, Kalk NJ, Copeland CS. Trends in deaths following drug use in England before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdowns. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1232593. [PMID: 37841731 PMCID: PMC10570433 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1232593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim This research aimed to describe how the characteristics of deaths following drug use changed during the COVID-19 pandemic in England, and how this can inform future strategy to support the health and social care of people who use drugs in future emergency scenarios. Method All deaths reported to the National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths which occurred between January 2018 and December 2021 inclusive were extracted for analysis. Exponential smoothing models were constructed to determine any differences between forecasted vs. actual trends. Key results Following the first lockdown period in England there were significant increases in the proportion of people who died at home beyond the 95% confidence bounds of the exponential smoothing model and concurrent decreases in the proportion of people who died in hospital. Whilst the overall proportion of deaths attributable to opioids did not significantly deviate from the forecasted trend, there were significant increases in methadone-related deaths and decreases in heroin/morphine-related death beyond the 95% confidence bounds. The proportion of deaths concluded as suicide increased, as did those implicating antidepressant use. There were no changes in the proportion of deaths following use of other drug classes, alcohol use in combination with psychoactive drugs, or on decedent demographics (gender, age, and drug user status). A small number of deaths due to drug use had COVID-19 infection itself listed as a cause of death (n = 23). Conclusion For people who use drugs, the impact of the restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic was greater than that of infection from the virus itself. The health and social care strategy for these people needs to be pre-emptively adapted to mitigate against the specific risk factors for fatal drug overdose associated with future emergency scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios Sekeris
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Medicine Research, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thikra Algahtani
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Medicine Research, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniyar Aldabergenov
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Medicine Research, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kirsten L. Rock
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Medicine Research, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fatima Auwal
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Medicine Research, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Farah Aldewaissan
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Medicine Research, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bryn D. Williams
- Department of Anaesthetics, Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola J. Kalk
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline S. Copeland
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Medicine Research, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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11
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McDonald R, Bech AB, Clausen T. Flexible delivery of opioid agonist treatment during COVID-19 in Norway: qualitative and quantitative findings from an online survey of provider experiences. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:965. [PMID: 37679751 PMCID: PMC10485985 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09959-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For patients receiving daily opioid agonist treatment (OAT) for opioid dependence, several countries relaxed treatment guidelines at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. This involved longer take-home intervals for methadone and buprenorphine doses as well as a reduction in supervised dosing and drug screening. To date, little is known about the medium or long-term experience of OAT deregulation. Therefore, we conducted a survey to explore how OAT providers perceived greater flexibility in OAT service delivery at the end of the second year of the pandemic. METHODS Nationwide cross-sectional study of twenty-three OAT units in 19 publicly funded hospital trusts in Norway. OAT units were sent a 29-item online questionnaire comprising closed-format and open-ended questions on treatment provider experiences and changes in OAT service delivery during the past 12 months (January to December 2021). RESULTS Twenty-three (of whom female: 14; 60.8%) managers or lead physicians of OAT units completed the questionnaire reporting that, in 2021, most OAT units (91.3%, n = 21) still practiced some adjusted approaches as established in the beginning of the pandemic. The most common adaptions were special protocols for COVID-19 cases (95.7%, n = 22), increased use of telephone- (91.3%, n = 21) and video consultations (87.0%, n = 20), and longer take-home intervals for OAT medications (52.2%, n = 12). The use of depot buprenorphine also increased substantially during the pandemic. According to the OAT providers, most patients handled flexible treatment provision well. In individual cases, patients' substance use was identified as key factor necessitating a reintroduction of supervised dosing and drug screening. Collaboration with general practitioners and municipal health and social services was generally perceived as crucial for successful treatment delivery. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the Norwegian OAT system proved resilient in the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, as its healthcare workforce embraced innovation in technology (telemedicine) and drug development (depot buprenorphine). According to our nationally representative sample of OAT providers, most patients were compliant with longer take-home doses of methadone and buprenorphine. Our findings suggest that telemedicine can be useful as adjunct to face-to-face treatment and provide greater flexibility for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca McDonald
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research (SERAF), Institute of Clinical Medicine, Oslo University, P.O. Box 1171, Blindern, Oslo, 0318, Norway.
| | - Anne Berit Bech
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research (SERAF), Institute of Clinical Medicine, Oslo University, P.O. Box 1171, Blindern, Oslo, 0318, Norway
- Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, Inland University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 400 Vestad, Elverum, 2418, Norway
| | - Thomas Clausen
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research (SERAF), Institute of Clinical Medicine, Oslo University, P.O. Box 1171, Blindern, Oslo, 0318, Norway
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Tay Wee Teck J, Butner JL, Baldacchino A. Understanding the use of telemedicine across different opioid use disorder treatment models: A scoping review. J Telemed Telecare 2023:1357633X231195607. [PMID: 37661829 DOI: 10.1177/1357633x231195607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic has instigated the development of telemedicine-mediated provision of medications for opioid use disorder such as buprenorphine and methadone, referred to as TMOUD in this study. As services start to return to pre-pandemic norms, there is a debate around the role of TMOUD as addition to or replacement of the conventional cascade of care for people with opioid use disorder (PWOUD). This scoping review is designed to characterize existing TMOUD services and provide insights to enable a more nuanced discussion on the role of telemedicine in the care of PWOUD. METHODS The literature search was conducted in OVID Medline, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, from inception up to and including April 2023, using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. The review considered any study design that detailed sufficient descriptive information on a given TMOUD service. A data extraction form was developed to collect and categorize a range of descriptive characteristics of each discrete TMOUD model identified from the obtained articles. RESULTS A total of 45 articles met the inclusion criteria, and from this, 40 discrete TMOUD services were identified. In total, 33 services were US-based, three from Canada, and one each from India, Ireland, the UK, and Norway. Through a detailed analysis of TMOUD service characteristics, four models of care were identified. These were TMOUD to facilitate inclusion health, to facilitate transitions in care, to meet complex healthcare needs, and to maintain opioid use disorder (OUD) service resilience. CONCLUSIONS Characterizing TMOUD according to its functional benefits to PWOUD and OUD services will help support evidence-based policy and practice. Additionally, particular attention is given to how digital exclusion of PWOUD can be mitigated against.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Tay Wee Teck
- DigitAS Project, Population and Behavioural Science, School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
- Forward Leeds and Humankind Charity, Durham, UK
| | - Jenna L Butner
- Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Alex Baldacchino
- DigitAS Project, Population and Behavioural Science, School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
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Carver H, Ciolompea T, Conway A, Kilian C, McDonald R, Meksi A, Wojnar M. Substance use disorders and COVID-19: reflections on international research and practice changes during the "poly-crisis". Front Public Health 2023; 11:1201967. [PMID: 37529435 PMCID: PMC10390069 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1201967] [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: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionately high toll on vulnerable populations, coinciding with increased prevalence of alcohol-and drug-related deaths and pre-existing societal issues such as rising income inequality and homelessness. This poly-crisis has posed unique challenges to service delivery for people with substance use disorders, and innovative approaches have emerged. In this Perspectives paper we reflect on the poly-crisis and the changes to research and practice for those experiencing substance use disorders, following work undertaken as part of the InterGLAM project (part of the 2022. Lisbon Addictions conference). The authors, who were part of an InterGLAM working group, identified a range of creative and novel responses by gathering information from conference attendees about COVID-19-related changes to substance use disorder treatment in their countries. In this paper we describe these responses across a range of countries, focusing on changes to telehealth, provision of medications for opioid use disorder and alcohol harm reduction, as well as changes to how research was conducted. Implications include better equity in access to technology and secure data systems; increased prescribed safer supply in countries where this currently does not exist; flexible provision of medication for opioid use disorder; scale up of alcohol harm reduction for people with alcohol use disorders; greater involvement of people with lived/living experience in research; and additional support for research in low- and middle-income countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the addictions field and there are lessons for ongoing and emerging crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Carver
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom
| | - Teodora Ciolompea
- Drug Addiction Evaluation and Treatment Center, Saint Stelian, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anna Conway
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Carolin Kilian
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rebecca McDonald
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research (SERAF), Institute of Clinical Medicine, Oslo University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Andia Meksi
- National Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania
| | - Marcin Wojnar
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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Roberts E, Humphreys K. "Safe Supply" Initiatives: Are They a Recipe for Harm Through Reduced Health Care Input and Supply-Induced Toxicity and Overdose? J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2023; 84:644-647. [PMID: 37114649 PMCID: PMC10488309 DOI: 10.15288/jsad.23-00054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Within the addiction field, some advocates support a suite of de-regulatory policies that aim to reduce harm by providing people who use drugs with a "safe supply" of pharmaceutical-grade medications. Such initiatives have commenced without the evidence standards normally used to label medication provision as "safe." This perspective suggests that continued debate and research in this area acknowledge the potential toxicity of any provided safe supply medications and highlights that these initiatives could result in an unhelpful reduction in interactions between people who use drugs and health care professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmert Roberts
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, England
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Keith Humphreys
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
- Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Palo Alto, California
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15
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Jones KF, O'Reilly Jacob M, Spetz J, Hailer L, Tierney M. Eliminate the buprenorphine DEA X waiver: Justification using a policy analysis approach. J Nurs Scholarsh 2023; 55:655-664. [PMID: 36624606 PMCID: PMC10159879 DOI: 10.1111/jnu.12871] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Drug overdoses have reached a historic milestone of over 100,000 deaths in a single year, 75,673 related to opioids. The acceleration in opioid-related deaths coupled with stark health inequities demands a close examination of opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment barriers and swift consideration of policy changes. DESIGN The aim of this buprenorphine policy analysis is to summarize existing buprenorphine barriers and present policy solutions to improve access and actualize the contributions of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). METHODS The policy analysis follows five sequential steps: (1) defining the problem, (2) identifying key stakeholders, (3) assessing the landscape of relevant policies, (4) describing viable policy options, and (5) making final recommendations. RESULTS Although there are laudable efforts to improve buprenorphine access, such as the new buprenorphine guidelines issued in April 2021, without larger-scale changes to federal, state, and scope of practice laws, overdose rates will continue to rise. We recommend a multipronged policy approach to improve buprenorphine treatment access, including eliminating the DEA X waiver, improving OUD education, and adopting full practice authority for APRNs in all states. CONCLUSION Incremental change is no longer sufficient to address opioid overdose deaths. Bolder and coordinated policy action is possible and necessary to empower the full clinical workforce to apply evidence-based life-saving treatments for OUD. The critical contributions of nurses in advancing equitable access to OUD care are emphasized in the National Academy of Medicine's Report, Future of Nursing: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. Nurses are named as instrumental in improving buprenorphine access. Policy changes that acknowledge and build on evidence-based treatment expansion strategies are sorely needed. CLINICAL RELEVANCE One of the most robust tools to combat opioid overdose deaths is buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, and gold standard medication treatment for OUD, but only 5% of the prescribing workforce possess the required Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) X waiver. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that Advanced Practice Registered Nurses are accelerating the growth in waiver update and buprenorphine use, despite the considerable barriers and limitations described in this policy analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Fitzgerald Jones
- Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Mongan Institute for Aging and Serious Illness, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Boston College, William F. Connell School of Nursing, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Monica O'Reilly Jacob
- Boston College, William F. Connell School of Nursing, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joanne Spetz
- Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Matthew Tierney
- Office of Population Health, UCSF Health, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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16
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Scott G, Turner S, Lowry N, Hodge A, Ashraf W, McClean K, Kelleher M, Mitcheson L, Marsden J. Patients' perceptions of self-administered dosing to opioid agonist treatment and other changes during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e069857. [PMID: 36944465 PMCID: PMC10032386 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES During the COVID-19 pandemic, addiction treatment services received official guidance asking them to limit face-to-face contact with patients and to prescribe opioid agonist treatment (OAT) medication flexibly. With the aim for most patients to receive take-home supplies for self-administration rather than attendance for observed daily dosing. DESIGN This was a theory-driven, clinically applied qualitative study, with data for thematic analysis collected by semi-structured, audio-recorded, telephone interviews. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-seven adults (aged ≥18 years) enrolled in sublingual (tablet) buprenorphine and oral (liquid) methadone OAT. SETTING Community addictions centre in the London Borough of Lambeth operated by South London and Maudsley NHS Trust. RESULTS Three major themes were identified: (1) dissatisfaction and perceived stigma with OAT medication dispensing arrangements before the pandemic; (2) positive adaptations in response to COVID-19 by services; (3) participants recommended that, according to preference and evidence of adherence, OAT should be personalised to offer increasing medication supplies for self-administration from as early as 7 days after commencement of maintenance prescribing. CONCLUSIONS In an applied qualitative study of patients enrolled in OAT during the COVID-19 pandemic, participants endorsed their opportunity to take medication themselves at home and with virtual addiction support. Most patients described a preference for self-administration with increased dispensing supplies, from as early as 7 days into maintenance treatment, if they could demonstrate adherence to their prescription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Scott
- Lambeth Addiction, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sophie Turner
- Lambeth Addiction, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Natalie Lowry
- Lambeth Addiction, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Department of Addictions, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Annette Hodge
- Lambeth Addiction, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Waniya Ashraf
- Lambeth Addiction, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Katie McClean
- Lambeth Addiction, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mike Kelleher
- Lambeth Addiction, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Luke Mitcheson
- Lambeth Addiction, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - John Marsden
- Lambeth Addiction, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Department of Addictions, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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Kleinman RA. Suggestions for Canada’s Opioid Use Disorder Management Guidelines. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ADDICTION 2023. [DOI: 10.1097/cxa.0000000000000169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
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Carlisle VR, Maynard OM, Bagnall D, Hickman M, Shorrock J, Thomas K, Kesten J. Should I Stay or Should I Go? A Qualitative Exploration of Stigma and Other Factors Influencing Opioid Agonist Treatment Journeys. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1526. [PMID: 36674280 PMCID: PMC9865602 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
(1) The harm-reduction benefits of opioid agonist treatment (OAT) are well-established; however, the UK government's emphasis on "recovery" may be contributing to a high proportion of people leaving treatment and low retention rates. We wanted to develop a rich and nuanced understanding of the factors that might influence the treatment journeys of people who use OAT. (2) We explored factors at each level of the socioecological system and considered the ways these interact to influence treatment journeys in OAT. We carried out semi-structured interviews with people who use OAT (n = 12) and service providers (n = 13) and analysed data using reflexive thematic analysis. (3) We developed three themes representing participant perceptions of treatment journeys in OAT. These were: (1) The System is Broken; (2) Power Struggles; and (3) Filling the Void. (4) Conclusions: The data suggest that prioritisation of treatment retention is important to preserve the harm-reduction benefits of OAT. Stigma is a systemic issue which presents multiple barriers to people who use OAT living fulfilling lives. There is an urgent need to develop targeted interventions to address stigma towards people who use OAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Rice Carlisle
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TL, UK
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TU, UK
| | - Olivia M. Maynard
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TU, UK
| | - Darren Bagnall
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TL, UK
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TL, UK
| | - Jon Shorrock
- Avon & Wiltshire NHS Mental Health Trust, Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services, Colston Fort, Montague Place, Bristol BS6 5UB, UK
| | - Kyla Thomas
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TL, UK
| | - Joanna Kesten
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TL, UK
- The National Institute for Health and Care Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West) at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TL, UK
- The National Institute for Health and Care Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TL, UK
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