A qualitative study of experiences with physical activity among people receiving opioid agonist therapy

BACKGROUND

Physical or mental health comorbidities are common among people with substance use disorders undergoing opioid agonist therapy. As both a preventive and treatment strategy, exercise offers various health benefits for several conditions. Exercise interventions to people with substance use disorders receiving opioid agonist therapy are limited. This study aims to explore experiences with physical activity, perceived barriers, and facilitators among people receiving opioid agonist therapy.

METHOD

Fourteen qualitative interviews were conducted with individuals receiving opioid agonist therapy in outpatient clinics in Western Norway.

RESULTS

Most were males in the age range 30 to 60 years. Participants had diverse and long-term substance use histories, and most received buprenorphine-based opioid agonist therapy. The identified themes were (1) Physical limitations: Participants experienced health-related problems like breathing difficulties, pain, and reduced physical function. (2) Social dynamics: Social support was essential for participating in physical activities and many argued for group exercises, but some were concerned about the possibility of meeting persons influenced by substances in a group setting, fearing temptations to use substances. (3) Shift in focus: As participants felt the weight of the health burden, their preference for activities shifted from sports aiming for "adrenaline" to a health promoting focus. (4) COVID-19's impact on exercise: because of the pandemic, group activities were suspended, and participants described it as challenging to resume. (5) Implementation preferences in clinics: Not interfering with opioid medication routines was reported to be essential.

CONCLUSION

This study offers valuable insights for the development of customized exercise interventions aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of patients undergoing opioid agonist therapy. These findings underscore the significance of addressing social dynamics, overcoming physical limitations, and implementing a practical and effective exercise regimen.

Gender differences in physical morbidity in opioid agonist treatment patients: population-based cohort studies from the Czech Republic and Norway

BACKGROUND

Physical diseases represent a significant burden for opioid agonist treatment (OAT) patients. This study described physical morbidity in two national cohorts of OAT patients focusing on gender differences.

METHODS

This population-based cohort study linking multiple health registers investigated physical diseases (ICD-10) in patients receiving OAT in the Czech Republic (N = 4,280) and Norway (N = 11,389) during 2010-2019. Gender-stratified analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Overall, we found a large burden of physical morbidity across gender groups in OAT patients. In the Czech Republic and Norway, women in OAT had a significantly higher prevalence of physical diseases across most diagnostic chapters, notably genitourinary diseases and neoplasms. Injuries/external causes and infectious/parasitic diseases were among the most common diseases in both women and men. Viral hepatitis accounted for over half of infectious morbidity in women and men in both cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support the need for early screening, detection, and treatment of diseases and conditions across organ systems and the integration of health promotion activities to reduce physical morbidity in OAT patients. The gender differences underline the need for a tailored approach to address specific medical conditions.

Incidence of suicide and self-harm among people with opioid use disorder and the impact of opioid agonist treatment: A retrospective data linkage study

BACKGROUND

Rates of suicide and self-harm are elevated among people with opioid use disorder (OUD). This study examined incidence of self-harm and suicide among people who have entered OAT and assessed the impact of different OAT exposure periods on these events.

METHOD

We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study of all OAT recipients (N = 45,664) in New South Wales, Australia (2002-2017), using linked administrative data. Incidence rates of self-harm hospitalisations and suicide deaths were estimated per 1000 person-years (PY). The first 28 days of an OAT episode, ≥ 29 days on OAT, the first 28 days off OAT, and ≥ 29 days off OAT (maximum four years post-OAT) were exposure periods. Poisson regression models with generalised estimating equations estimated the adjusted incidence rate ratios (ARR) of self-harm and suicide by OAT exposure periods, adjusting for covariates.

RESULTS

There were 7482 hospitalisations (4148 individuals) for self-harm and 556 suicides, equating to incidence rates of 19.2 (95% confidence intervals [CI]=18.8-19.7) and 1.0 (95%CI=0.9-1.1) per 1000 PY, respectively. Opioid overdose was implicated in 9.6% of suicides and 28% of self-harm hospitalisations. Compared to ≥ 29 days on OAT, the incidence rate of suicide was elevated in the 28 days following OAT cessation (ARR=17.4 [95%CI=11.7-25.9]), and the rate of self-harm hospitalisations was elevated during the first 28 days of OAT (ARR=2.2 [95%CI=1.9-2.6]) and the 28 days after leaving OAT (ARR=2.7 [95%CI=2.3-3.2]).

CONCLUSIONS

OAT may reduce suicide and self-harm risk among people with OUD; however, OAT initiation and cessation are critical periods for targeting self-harm and suicide prevention interventions.

Opioid Agents and Cardiac Arrhythmia: A Literature Review

Opioids are compounds that cause similar effects to morphine by binding to its receptors. Opioids can be synthetic, semi-synthetic, or natural and can easily bind to the receptors of opioids in order to depict their effects, which may vary depending upon the exposure of the drug and its dose. However, several side effects of opioids can also be observed, with the most crucial being their impact on the heart's electrical activity. This review majorly focuses on opioids' impact on the prolongation of the QT curve and their arrhythmogenic susceptibility. Articles published up to the year 2022 in various databases were identified and searched with the use of keywords. Search terms included "cardiac arrhythmias," "QT interval," "opioids," "opioid dependence," and "torsade de pointes (TdP)". These terms highlight the impact of each opioid agent on the activity of the heart on an electrocardiogram. The results of the available data depict that opioids, such as methadone, pose higher risks, even when taken in smaller amounts, and have the capability for QT interval prolongation and TdP development. A variety of opioids, i.e., oxycodone and tramadol, are considered as intermediary risk drugs and can build long QT intervals and TdP in large doses. Several other opioids are considered low-risk drugs, including buprenorphine and morphine, which lead to no production of TdP and QT interval prolongation in daily routine doses. Evidence indicates a high risk of sinus bradycardia, atrial fibrillation, cardiac block, and supra-ventricular arrhythmias in opium consumers. This literature review will play a key role in determining the association between the use of opioids and cardiac arrhythmias. It will further highlight the practical implications of opioids for the management of cardiac issues based on their dose, frequency, and intensity. Moreover, it will also depict the adverse effects of opioids along with their dose-specific relationship. Opioids display disparate cardiac arrhythmogenicity, and methadone contains a greater ability to induce long QT intervals and hazardous arrhythmias at conventional doses. In order to reduce arrhythmogenic risk, opioids taken in large amounts should be monitored with a regular electrocardiogram in high-risk consumers, i.e., patients on opioid maintenance.

Administration and patient-incurred costs associated with opioid agonist treatment in Norway

OBJECTIVES

Opioid use disorder is associated with high rates of mortality and has become an escalating global health issue. Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) with oral methadone or daily sublingual buprenorphine hydrochloride, either administered separately or in combination with naloxone hydrochloride (SL-BPN, SL-BPN/NX), is supervised by a healthcare professional experienced in treating opioid use disorder to ensure proper dosing and prevent misuse. For that reason, there may be substantial direct and indirect costs associated with OAT. Recently, weekly and monthly subcutaneous depot formulations of buprenorphine (SC-BPN) have been approved. This study aimed to estimate management and patient-incurred costs associated with the most commonly used OATs compared to the cost of weekly and monthly SC-BPN.

METHODS

We conducted a cost-minimisation analysis comparing the monthly costs of OAT treatment with oral formulations, i.e. oral methadone, SL-BPN, SL-BPN/NX and SC-BPN. The analysis assessed treatment acquisition costs and costs associated with management, supervision and administration of therapy, patients' transportation costs and the indirect costs associated with patients' time-use. The model was set up to reflect the Norwegian medically assisted rehabilitation system and considered the costs of a stable maintenance OAT regimen given continuously to patients already initiated and titrated on the therapy.

RESULTS

OAT management with monthly formulation of SC-BPN was associated with a reduction in monthly costs of €605, €586, and €411 per month compared to SL-BPN, SL-BPN/NX and oral methadone, respectively. Similar results were estimated when comparing to the weekly formulation of SC-BPN.

CONCLUSION

The analysis showed that the monthly formulation of SC-BPN was the cost-minimising alternative, followed by the weekly formulation, when considering all cost components.

Organ pathologies detected post-mortem in patients receiving opioid agonist treatment for opioid use disorder: a nation-wide 2-year cross-sectional study

AIMS

To document organ pathologies detected post-mortem in patients receiving opioid agonist treatment for opioid use disorder and estimate the extent to which individual characteristics are associated with pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic or renal pathologies.

DESIGN

Two-year cross-sectional nation-wide study.

SETTING

Norway.

PARTICIPANTS

Among all 200 patients who died during opioid agonist treatment between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2015, 125 patients (63%) were autopsied. Among these, 122 patients (75% men) had available autopsy reports and were included. The mean age at the time of death was 48 years.

MEASUREMENTS

Information on pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic and renal pathologies were retrieved from forensic or medical autopsy reports, with no (0) and yes (1) as outcome variables and age, sex and body mass index as covariates in logistic regression analyses.

FINDINGS

Pathologies in several organs were common. Two-thirds (65%) of the decedents had more than two organ system diseases. The most common organ pathologies were chronic liver disease (84%), cardiovascular disease (68%) and pulmonary emphysema (41%). In bivariate analyses, only older age was associated with any pulmonary pathology [odds ratio (OR) = 1.06; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01-1.10], cardiovascular pathology (OR = 1.11; 95% CI = 1.05-1.17) and renal pathology (OR = 1.05; 95% CI = 1.00-1.11). Older age remained independently associated with cardiovascular pathology (OR = 1.10; 95% CI = 1.04-1.16) and renal pathology (OR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.01-1.12) adjusted for body mass index and sex.

CONCLUSIONS

Among autopsied Norwegians who died during opioid agonist treatment in 2014 and 2015, two-thirds had more than two organ system diseases, despite their mean age of 48 years at the time of death. Older age was independently associated with at least one cardiovascular or renal pathology after adjusting for sex and body mass index.

Hospitalisations for non-fatal overdose among people with a history of opioid dependence in New South Wales, Australia, 2001-2018: Findings from the OATS retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

To examine, among a cohort of opioid dependent people with a history of opioid agonist treatment (OAT), the frequency and incidence rates of non-fatal overdose (NFOD) hospital separations over time, by age and sex.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of people with a history of OAT using state-wide linked New South Wales (NSW) data. The incidence of NFOD hospital separations involving an opioid, sedative, stimulant or alcohol was defined according to the singular or combination of poisoning/toxic effect using ICD-10-AM codes. Crude incidence rates were calculated by gender, age group and calendar year.

RESULTS

There were 31.8 (31.3-32.3) NFOD per 1,000 person-years (PY). Opioid NFOD incidence was higher in women than men: incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.11 per 1,000PY; 95 %CI: [1.06-1.17]; women had higher sedative NFOD rates than men, IRR 1.27 per 1,000PY [1.21-1.34]. Participants ≤25 years, 26-30yrs, and 31-35yrs had higher incidence of opioid NFOD compared to 46+yrs, with IRRs of: 1.45 per 1,000PY; [1.32-1.59]; 1.20 per 1,000PY; [1.11-1.30] and 1.22 per 1,000PY; [1.13-1.32], respectively. Between 2006-7 and 2016-17, the cohort accounted for 19 % of NSW opioid NFOD episodes, 12 % of sedative, 14 % of stimulant and 5 % of acute alcohol-related NFOD.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospital stays due to NFOD are a relatively frequent occurrence among opioid-dependent people. There are clear differences in rates and substances involved by sex, age and over time. Evidence-based interventions that prevent overdose among people who are opioid dependent need to be delivered to scale, including widespread community provision of naloxone.

Too much or too little opioids to patients receiving opioid agonist therapy in Norway (2013-2017): a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Dispensations of opioid analgesics to patients on opioid agonist therapy (OAT) may increase the risk of overdoses. The current study's objectives are to investigate the dispensation rates and mean daily doses of dispensed opioid analgesics among patients who received OAT opioids in Norway during 2013-2017 and evaluate whether discontinuing OAT opioids affects the dispensed dose of opioid analgesics.

METHODS

Information on opioids was collected from the Norwegian Prescription Database. Dispensation rates were calculated by dividing the number of patients who were dispensed at least one opioid analgesic by the number of patients who were dispensed an OAT opioid. We calculated the mean daily dose of opioid analgesics in oral morphine equivalents. The OAT opioid dose was defined as a ratio between the dispensed doses divided by the mean recommended dose. We used logistic regression to estimate the association between the dispensation of an opioid analgesic, a dose of OAT opioids, having chronic pain, and being on palliative care.

RESULTS

A total of 10,371 patients were dispensed at least one OAT opioid during the study period. In 2017, 18% were dispensed an opioid analgesic with a mean daily dose of 29 mg of oral morphine equivalents. Being dispensed an opioid analgesic was associated with having chronic pain (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 3.6, 95% confidence interval: 3.2-4.2), being on palliative care (aOR: 6.1, 4.7-7.9), and receiving an OAT opioid dose below half of the recommended OAT dose (aOR: 1.7, 1.4-2.0). Similar results were seen in 2013-2016. The discontinuation of OAT opioids could increase the dose of dispensed opioid analgesics.

CONCLUSION

Reducing the dispensation of opioid analgesics can be achieved by increasing the OAT opioid dose for patients on a low OAT dose, and by extending the period needed to taper off the OAT opioid dose at discontinuation.

Impact of Pharmacological Treatments for Opioid Use Disorder on Mortality

The use of pharmacological treatments for opioid use disorders, including methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone has been associated with a reduction in mortality compared with illicit opioid use. However, these treatments can also contribute significantly to the risk of death. The opioid agonists methadone and buprenorphine achieve clinical efficacy in patients with an opioid use disorder through suppressing craving and diminishing the effectiveness of illicit opioid doses, while the antagonist naltrexone blocks the action of opioids. Pharmacological differences between opioid pharmacotherapies then create different temporal patterns of protection and mortality risk, different risks of relapse to illicit opioid use, and variations in direct and indirect toxicity, which are revealed in clinical and epidemiological studies. Induction onto methadone and the cessation of oral naltrexone treatment are associated with an elevated risk of opioid poisoning, which is not apparent in patients treated with buprenorphine or sustained-release naltrexone. Beyond drug-related mortality, these pharmacotherapies can impact a participant's risk of death. Buprenorphine may also have some advantages over methadone in patients with depressive disorders or cardiovascular abnormalities. Naltrexone, which is also commonly prescribed to manage problem alcohol use, may reduce deaths in chronic co-alcohol users. Understanding these pharmacologically driven patterns then guides the judicious choice of drug and dosing schedule and the proactive risk management that is crucial to minimising the risk of death in treatment.

Prevalence of respiratory conditions among people who use illicit opioids: a systematic review

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

There are growing concerns over the respiratory health of people who use illicit opioids due to high rates of opioid inhalation and tobacco smoking in this group. This study aimed to summarize the evidence relating illicit opioid use with poor respiratory health.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature on the association between illicit opioid use and respiratory health was undertaken in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidance (PROSPERO ID = CRD42017059953). Electronic searches of MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library databases were undertaken (English language, published January 1980-November 2018). All study designs excluding case studies were considered. Studies were undertaken in community and hospital settings in the United States (n = 23), United Kingdom (n = 7), Australia (n = 7), the Netherlands (n = 2), Canada (n = 2), Ireland (n = 1), Spain (n = 1) and Iran (n = 1). Measurements of respiratory disease, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and related symptoms were extracted. Data on respiratory-related deaths and hospital admissions were also extracted. Meta-analysis of prevalence data was undertaken using a random effects meta-analysis model with parameters estimated using Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation.

RESULTS

Meta-analyses estimated prevalence of asthma in people who inject illicit opioids as 8.5% [95% predictive interval (PrI) = 0.2%, 74.0%] and as 20.2% (95% PrI = 4.2%, 59.2%) in people who inhale illicit opioids. Prevalence of COPD in people who inject illicit opioids was estimated as 2.7% (95% PrI = 0.0%, 50.4%) and as 17.9% (95% PrI = 0.6%, 89.5%) in people who inhale illicit opioids. There was evidence of moderate to extreme heterogeneity across studies.

CONCLUSIONS

There is evidence of increased burden of respiratory diseases in people who use illicit opioids. Due to the heterogeneity of study design and samples, it is difficult to gain accurate estimates of the prevalence of respiratory disease in this population.

Association of psychiatric and physical illnesses with suicide in older adults in Taiwan

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the association of psychiatric and physical illnesses with suicide in older adults in Taiwan.

METHODS

A nationwide database in Taiwan was used for this matched case-control study. Elderly participants with and without intentional self-harm from 2010 to 2012 were matched by propensity score by calendar year, gender, age, and area of residence. Psychiatric and physical illnesses were identified by tracing back 1 year from the date of death in suicide and from July 1 of the previous year to June 30 of the observational year in the controls. Associations between illnesses and the risk of suicide was assessed by conditional logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

2,528 older adults who died by suicide were studied, and the crude suicide mortality rate was 33.7 per 100,000. The risk of suicide in older adults with depression (AOR = 9.06, 95% CI = 6.07-13.52), cancer (AOR = 8.51, 95% CI = 5.39-13.45) and schizophrenia (AOR = 7.34, 95% CI = 2.65-20.33), were significantly higher than control group. Other illnesses, such as bipolar disorder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus (AOR = 3.63, 2.41, 1.94, 1.73, 1.68, 1.45, respectively), showed lower risk but still significantly higher in older adults with suicide.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychiatric and physical illnesses, especially depression, cancer, and schizophrenia, were found to be independently associated with suicide in older adults. The result of this study can help clinicians to identify older adults at risk of suicide and open avenues for prevention.