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Yarborough BJH, Stumbo SP, Schneider JL, Ahmedani BK, Daida YG, Hooker SA, Lapham GT, Negriff S, Rossom RC. Patient Perspectives on Mental Health and Pain Management Support Needed Versus Received During Opioid Deprescribing. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024; 25:104485. [PMID: 38311195 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.01.350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Prescription opioid tapering has increased significantly over the last decade. Evidence suggests that tapering too quickly or without appropriate support may unintentionally harm patients. The aim of this analysis was to understand patients' experiences with opioid tapering, including support received or not received for pain control or mental health. Patients with evidence of opioid tapering from 6 health care systems participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews; family members of suicide decedents with evidence of opioid tapering were also interviewed. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Participants included 176 patients and 16 family members. Results showed that 24% of the participants felt their clinicians checked in with them about their taper experiences while 41% reported their clinicians did not. A majority (68%) of individuals who experienced suicide behavior during tapering reported that clinicians did check in about mood and mental health changes specifically; however, 27% of that group reported no such check-in. More individuals reported negative experiences (than positive) with pain management clinics-where patients are often referred for tapering and pain management support. Patients reporting successful tapering experiences named shared decision-making and ability to adjust taper speed or pause tapering as helpful components of care. Fifty-six percent of patients reported needing more support during tapering, including more empathy and compassion (48%) and an individualized approach to tapering (41%). Patient-centered approaches to tapering include reaching out to monitor how patients are doing, involving patients in decision-making, supporting mental health changes, and allowing for flexibility in the tapering pace. PERSPECTIVE: Patients tapering prescription opioids desire more provider-initiated communication including checking in about pain, setting expectations for withdrawal and mental health-related changes, and providing support for mental health. Patients preferred opportunities to share decisions about taper speed and to have flexibility with pausing the taper as needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bobbi Jo H Yarborough
- Science Programs Department, Kaiser Permanente Northwest Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon; Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, California
| | - Scott P Stumbo
- Science Programs Department, Kaiser Permanente Northwest Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon
| | - Jennifer L Schneider
- Science Programs Department, Kaiser Permanente Northwest Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon
| | - Brian K Ahmedani
- Center for Health Policy & Health Services Research, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Yihe G Daida
- Center for Integrated Health Care Research, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Stephanie A Hooker
- Research and Evaluation Division, HealthPartners Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Gwen T Lapham
- Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, California; Research Department, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | - Sonya Negriff
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California
| | - Rebecca C Rossom
- Research and Evaluation Division, HealthPartners Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Hopkins RE, Campbell G, Degenhardt L, Gisev N. 'We didn't cause the opioid epidemic': The experiences of Australians prescribed opioids for chronic non-cancer pain at a time of increasing restrictions. Drug Alcohol Rev 2024. [PMID: 38803123 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Many countries have implemented strategies to reduce opioid-related harms, including policies and prescribing restrictions. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of Australians prescribed opioids for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) in the context of increasing restrictions for accessing opioids. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 Australians (aged 24-65-years; 10 female/4 male) self-reporting regular use of prescribed opioids for CNCP. Participants were asked to describe their experiences using prescribed opioids, and perceived and actual changes in pain management including access to treatments. Using thematic analysis, four dominant themes were identified. RESULTS In 'On them for a reason': Opioids as a last resort, participants described the role of opioids as an important tool for pain management following unsuccessful treatment using other strategies. In 'You're problematic': Deepening stigma, participants described how increased attention and restrictions led to increasing stigma of opioid use and CNCP. In 'We didn't cause the opioid epidemic': Perceiving and redirecting blame, participants described feeling unfairly blamed for public health problems and an 'opioid epidemic' they described as 'imported' from America, drawing distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate opioid use. Finally, in 'Where do we go from here?': Fearing the future, participants described anticipating further restrictions and associating these with increased pain and disability. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS The experience of being prescribed opioids for CNCP in Australia in the context of increasing restrictions was characterised by stigma, blame and fear. There is a need to ensure people prescribed opioids for pain are considered when designing measures to reduce opioid-related harms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ria E Hopkins
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gabrielle Campbell
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Natasa Gisev
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Sabety AH, Neprash HT, Gaye M, Barnett ML. Clinical and healthcare use outcomes after cessation of long term opioid treatment due to prescriber workforce exit: quasi-experimental difference-in-differences study. BMJ 2024; 385:e076509. [PMID: 38754913 PMCID: PMC11096890 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2023-076509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the association between prescriber workforce exit, long term opioid treatment discontinuation, and clinical outcomes. DESIGN Quasi-experimental difference-in-differences study SETTING: 20% sample of US Medicare beneficiaries, 2011-18. PARTICIPANTS People receiving long term opioid treatment whose prescriber stopped providing office based patient care or exited the workforce, as in the case of retirement or death (n=48 079), and people whose prescriber did not exit the workforce (n=48 079). MAIN OUTCOMES Discontinuation from long term opioid treatment, drug overdose, mental health crises, admissions to hospital or emergency department visits, and death. Long term opioid treatment was defined as at least 60 days of opioids per quarter for four consecutive quarters, attributed to the plurality opioid prescriber. A difference-in-differences analysis was used to compare individuals who received long term opioid treatment and who had a prescriber leave the workforce to propensity-matched patients on long term opioid treatment who did not lose a prescriber, before and after prescriber exit. RESULTS Discontinuation of long term opioid treatment increased from 132 to 229 per 10 000 patients who had prescriber exit from the quarter before to the quarter after exit, compared with 97 to 100 for patients who had a continuation of prescriber (adjusted difference 1.22 percentage points, 95% confidence interval 1.02 to 1.42). In the first quarter after provider exit, when discontinuation rates were highest, a transient but significant elevation was noted between the two groups of patients in suicide attempts (adjusted difference 0.05 percentage points (95% confidence interval 0.01 to 0.09)), opioid or alcohol withdrawal (0.14 (0.01 to 0.27)), and admissions to hospital or emergency department visits (0.04 visits (0.01 to 0.06)). These differences receded after one to two quarters. No significant change in rates of overdose was noted. Across all four quarters after prescriber exit, an increase was reported in the rate of mental health crises (0.39 percentage points (95% confidence interval 0.08 to 0.69)) and opioid or alcohol withdrawal (0.31 (0.014 to 0.58)), but no change was seen for drug overdose (-0.12 (-0.41 to 0.18)). CONCLUSIONS The loss of a prescriber was associated with increased occurrences of discontinuation of long term opioid treatment and transient increases in adverse outcomes, such as suicide attempts, but not other outcomes, such as overdoses. Long term opioid treatment discontinuation may be associated with a temporary period of adverse health impacts after accounting for unobserved confounding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne H Sabety
- Department of Health Policy, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Hannah T Neprash
- Division of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Marema Gaye
- Interfaculty Initiative in Health Policy, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Michael L Barnett
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health and Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital
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Metz VE, Ray GT, Palzes V, Binswanger I, Altschuler A, Karmali RN, Ahmedani BK, Andrade SE, Boscarino JA, Clark RE, Haller IV, Hechter RC, Roblin DW, Sanchez K, Bailey SR, McCarty D, Stephens KA, Rosa CL, Rubinstein AL, Campbell CI. Prescription Opioid Dose Reductions and Potential Adverse Events: a Multi-site Observational Cohort Study in Diverse US Health Systems. J Gen Intern Med 2024; 39:1002-1009. [PMID: 37930512 PMCID: PMC11074095 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08459-y] [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: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In response to the opioid crisis in the United States, population-level prescribing of opioids has been decreasing; there are concerns, however, that dose reductions are related to potential adverse events. OBJECTIVE Examine associations between opioid dose reductions and risk of 1-month potential adverse events (emergency department (ED) visits, opioid overdose, benzodiazepine prescription fill, all-cause mortality). DESIGN This observational cohort study used electronic health record and claims data from eight United States health systems in a prescription opioid registry (Clinical Trials Network-0084). All opioid fills (excluding buprenorphine) between 1/1/2012 and 12/31/2018 were used to identify baseline periods with mean morphine milligram equivalents daily dose of ≥ 50 during six consecutive months. PATIENTS We identified 60,040 non-cancer patients with ≥ one 2-month dose reduction period (600,234 unique dose reduction periods). MAIN MEASURES Analyses examined associations between dose reduction levels (1- < 15%, 15- < 30%, 30- < 100%, 100% over 2 months) and potential adverse events in the month following a dose reduction using logistic regression analysis, adjusting for patient characteristics. KEY RESULTS Overall, dose reduction periods involved mean reductions of 18.7%. Compared to reductions of 1- < 15%, dose reductions of 30- < 100% were associated with higher odds of ED visits (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.10, 1.17), opioid overdose (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.09-1.81), and all-cause mortality (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.16-1.67), but lower odds of a benzodiazepine fill (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.81-0.85). Dose reductions of 15- < 30%, compared to 1- < 15%, were associated with higher odds of ED visits (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.05-1.11) and lower odds of a benzodiazepine fill (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.92-0.95), but were not associated with opioid overdose and all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS Larger reductions for patients on opioid therapy may raise risk of potential adverse events in the month after reduction and should be carefully monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena E Metz
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Division of Research, Center for Addiction and Mental Health Research, Oakland, CA, USA.
| | - G Thomas Ray
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Division of Research, Center for Addiction and Mental Health Research, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Vanessa Palzes
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Division of Research, Center for Addiction and Mental Health Research, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Ingrid Binswanger
- Institute for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Denver, CO, USA
- Colorado Permanente Medical Group, Denver, CO, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Andrea Altschuler
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Division of Research, Center for Addiction and Mental Health Research, Oakland, CA, USA
| | | | - Brian K Ahmedani
- Center for Health Policy & Health Services Research, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Susan E Andrade
- Meyers Primary Care Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Joseph A Boscarino
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Geisinger Clinic, Danville, PA, USA
| | - Robin E Clark
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Massachusetts Chan School of Medicine, Worcester, MA, USA
| | | | - Rulin C Hechter
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Douglas W Roblin
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Katherine Sanchez
- Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Dallas, TX, USA
- School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Steffani R Bailey
- Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Dennis McCarty
- OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Portland, OR, USA
- Division of General and Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Kari A Stephens
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Carmen L Rosa
- Center for the Clinicals Trials Network, National Institute On Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andrea L Rubinstein
- Department of Pain Medicine, The Permanente Medical Group, Santa Rosa, CA, USA
| | - Cynthia I Campbell
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Division of Research, Center for Addiction and Mental Health Research, Oakland, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Yarborough BJH, Stumbo SP, Schneider JL, Ahmedani BK, Daida YG, Hooker SA, Negriff S, Rossom RC, Lapham G. Impact of Opioid Dose Reductions on Patient-Reported Mental Health and Suicide-Related Behavior and Relationship to Patient Choice in Tapering Decisions. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024; 25:1094-1105. [PMID: 37952862 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Mental health and suicide-related harms resulting from prescription opioid tapering are poorly documented and understood. Six health systems contributed opioid prescribing data from January 2016 to April 2020. Patients 18 to 70 years old with evidence of opioid tapering participated in semi-structured interviews. Individuals who experienced suicide attempts were oversampled. Family members of suicide decedents who had experienced opioid tapering were also interviewed. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. The study participants included 176 patients and 16 family members. Patients were 68% female, 80% White, and 15% Hispanic, mean age 58. All family members were female spouses of White, non-Hispanic male decedents. Among the subgroup (n = 60) who experienced a documented suicide attempt, reported experiencing suicidal ideation during tapering, or were family members of suicide decedents, 40% reported that opioid tapering exacerbated previously recognized mental health issues, and 25% reported that tapering triggered new-onset mental health concerns. Among participants with suicide behavior, 47% directly attributed it to opioid tapering. Common precipitants included increased pain, reduced life engagement, sleep problems, withdrawal, relationship dissolution, and negative consequences of opioid substitution with other substances for pain relief. Most respondents reporting suicide behavior felt that the decision to taper was made by the health care system or a clinician (67%) whereas patients not reporting suicide behavior were more likely to report it was their own decision (42%). This study describes patient-reported mental health deterioration or suicide behavior while tapering prescription opioids. Clinicians should screen for, monitor, and treat suicide behavior while assisting patients in tapering opioids. PERSPECTIVE: This work describes changes in patient-reported mental health and suicide behavior while tapering prescription opioids. Recommendations for improving care include mental health and suicide risk screening during and following opioid tapering.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Scott P Stumbo
- Kaiser Permanente Northwest Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon
| | | | | | | | | | - Sonya Negriff
- Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California
| | | | - Gwen Lapham
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
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6
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Fenton JJ. Centering the patient in decisions about opioid tapering. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2024; 17:305-307. [PMID: 38349034 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2024.2318470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- J J Fenton
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine Ringgold standard institution, Sacramento, CA, USA
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Henderson N, Marris J, Woodend K. "And this is the life jacket, the lifeline they've been wanting": Participant perspectives on navigating challenges and successes of prescribed safer supply. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299801. [PMID: 38517923 PMCID: PMC10959334 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299801] [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: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2021, 43% of drug toxicity deaths in Ontario were reported by public health units serving medium-sized urban and rural communities. Safer supply programs (SSPs) have been primarily established in large urban centres. Given this, the current study is based on an evaluation of a SSP based in a medium-sized urban centre with a large catchment area that includes rural and Indigenous communities. The aim of this research paper is to understand the challenges and successes of the nurse practitioner-led SSP from the perspective of program participants. METHODS Interpretive description was used to understand the experiences of 14 participants accessing a SSP. Each participant was interviewed using a semi-structured approach, and 13 of the interviewees also completed surveys accessed through Qualtrics. An iterative process using NVivo software was used to code interviews, and a constant comparative data analysis approach was used to refine and categorize codes to themes. FINDINGS Three overarching themes were the result of this analysis: feeling better, renewed hope, and safety. These three themes capture the experiences of participants in the SSP, including both the challenges and successes they faced. CONCLUSION The findings and subsequent discussion focus on both the key best practices of the program, and areas for future development and improvement. Despite barriers to services, prescribed SSPs are improving the lives of people who use drugs, and the current outcomes align with reports and evaluations from other SSPs across Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Henderson
- School of Nursing, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - John Marris
- John Marris Consulting, Peterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Kirsten Woodend
- School of Nursing, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
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Pogue J, Lau L, Boyer J. Data-Based Opioid Risk Review in Patients with Chronic Pain: A Retrospective Chart Review. J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother 2024; 38:74-83. [PMID: 38019479 DOI: 10.1080/15360288.2023.2288109] [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: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
A retrospective, cohort, single center, chart review was conducted to compare rates of opioid-associated serious adverse events (SAEs) in a patient cohort 6 months before and 6 months after data-based opioid risk review. The primary objective was the composite reduction in opioid-related SAEs including suicide-related events and opioid overdoses. The impact of the reviews was assessed via multivariate logistic regression and a McNemar's test to analyze difference in rates of opioid-associated SAEs. This study demonstrates that data-based opioid risk review can reduce opioid-related SAEs, opioid overdoses, and suicide-related events in the 6 months post-review. The primary outcome was not statistically significant with a p-value of 0.080. In the population that underwent opioid tapers, the hazard ratios (HR) for suicide-related events and opioid-related SAEs were 6.64 (1.09-40.53, p = 0.05) and 10.43 (0.48-226.80, p = 0.02) respectively when compared to non-tapered patients. The HR for suicide-related events and opioid-related SAEs when opioid therapy was discontinued were 9.95 (2.16-45.94, p = 0.009) and 15.64 (1.09-225.19, p = 0.001) respectively when compared to continuation of opioids. This study showed that data-based opioid risk review may reduce incidence of opioid-related SAEs in patients with chronic pain. Additionally, opioid tapers and discontinuations are significant risk factors for suicide-related events and opioid-related SAEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Pogue
- Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Lily Lau
- Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Jeffrey Boyer
- Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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Wei YJJ, Winterstein AG, Schmidt S, Fillingim RB, Schmidt S, Daniels MJ, DeKosky ST. Short- and long-term safety of discontinuing chronic opioid therapy among older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. Age Ageing 2024; 53:afae047. [PMID: 38497237 PMCID: PMC10945292 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afae047] [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: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited evidence exists on the short- and long-term safety of discontinuing versus continuing chronic opioid therapy (COT) among patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). METHODS This cohort study was conducted among 162,677 older residents with ADRD and receipt of COT using a 100% Medicare nursing home sample. Discontinuation of COT was defined as no opioid refills for ≥90 days. Primary outcomes were rates of pain-related hospitalisation, pain-related emergency department visit, injury, opioid use disorder (OUD) and opioid overdose (OD) measured by diagnosis codes at quarterly intervals during 1- and 2-year follow-ups. Poisson regression models were fit using generalised estimating equations with inverse probability of treatment weights to model quarterly outcome rates between residents who discontinued versus continued COT. RESULTS The study sample consisted of 218,040 resident episodes with COT; of these episodes, 180,916 residents (83%) continued COT, whereas 37,124 residents (17%) subsequently discontinued COT. Discontinuing (vs. continuing) COT was associated with higher rates of all outcomes in the first quarter, but these associations attenuated over time. The adjusted rates of injury, OUD and OD were 0, 69 and 60% lower at the 1-year follow-up and 11, 81 and 79% lower at the 2-year follow-up, respectively, for residents who discontinued versus continued COT, with no difference in the adjusted rates of pain-related hospitalisations or emergency department visits. CONCLUSIONS The rates of adverse outcomes were higher in the first quarter but lower or non-differential at 1-year and 2-year follow-ups between COT discontinuers versus continuers among older residents with ADRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jung Jenny Wei
- Division of Outcomes and Translational Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Almut G Winterstein
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Colleges of Medicine and Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Siegfried Schmidt
- Department of Community Health and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Roger B Fillingim
- Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Stephan Schmidt
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Michael J Daniels
- Department of Statistics, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL, 32610, USA
| | - Steven T DeKosky
- Department of Neurology, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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10
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Affiliation(s)
- Therese K Killeen
- Addiction Science Division, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Killeen), and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Brewerton), Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Timothy D Brewerton
- Addiction Science Division, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Killeen), and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Brewerton), Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
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Henry SG, Fang SY, Crawford AJ, Wintemute GJ, Tseregounis IE, Gasper JJ, Shev A, Cartus AR, Marshall BDL, Tancredi DJ, Cerdá M, Stewart SL. Impact of 30-day prescribed opioid dose trajectory on fatal overdose risk: A population-based, statewide cohort study. J Gen Intern Med 2024; 39:393-402. [PMID: 37794260 PMCID: PMC10897080 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08419-6] [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: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Both increases and decreases in patients' prescribed daily opioid dose have been linked to increased overdose risk, but associations between 30-day dose trajectories and subsequent overdose risk have not been systematically examined. OBJECTIVE To examine the associations between 30-day prescribed opioid dose trajectories and fatal opioid overdose risk during the subsequent 15 days. DESIGN Statewide cohort study using linked prescription drug monitoring program and death certificate data. We constructed a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model that accounted for time-varying prescription-, prescriber-, and pharmacy-level factors. PARTICIPANTS All patients prescribed an opioid analgesic in California from March to December, 2013 (5,326,392 patients). MAIN MEASURES Dependent variable: fatal drug overdose involving opioids. Primary independent variable: a 16-level variable denoting all possible opioid dose trajectories using the following categories for current and 30-day previously prescribed daily dose: 0-29, 30-59, 60-89, or ≥90 milligram morphine equivalents (MME). KEY RESULTS Relative to patients prescribed a stable daily dose of 0-29 MME, large (≥2 categories) dose increases and having a previous or current dose ≥60 MME per day were associated with significantly greater 15-day overdose risk. Patients whose dose decreased from ≥90 to 0-29 MME per day had significantly greater overdose risk compared to both patients prescribed a stable daily dose of ≥90 MME (aHR 3.56, 95%CI 2.24-5.67) and to patients prescribed a stable daily dose of 0-29 MME (aHR 7.87, 95%CI 5.49-11.28). Patients prescribed benzodiazepines also had significantly greater overdose risk; being prescribed Z-drugs, carisoprodol, or psychostimulants was not associated with overdose risk. CONCLUSIONS Large (≥2 categories) 30-day dose increases and decreases were both associated with increased risk of fatal opioid overdose, particularly for patients taking ≥90 MME whose opioids were abruptly stopped. Results align with 2022 CDC guidelines that urge caution when reducing opioid doses for patients taking long-term opioid for chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen G Henry
- University of California Davis Center for Healthcare Policy and Research; University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA.
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA.
| | - Shao-You Fang
- University of California Davis Center for Healthcare Policy and Research; University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA
| | - Andrew J Crawford
- Violence Prevention Research Program; University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA
| | - Garen J Wintemute
- Violence Prevention Research Program; University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA
| | - Iraklis Erik Tseregounis
- University of California Davis Center for Healthcare Policy and Research; University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA
| | - James J Gasper
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Aaron Shev
- Violence Prevention Research Program; University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA
| | - Abigail R Cartus
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Rhode Island, Providence, USA
| | - Brandon D L Marshall
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Rhode Island, Providence, USA
| | - Daniel J Tancredi
- University of California Davis Center for Healthcare Policy and Research; University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA
| | - Magdalena Cerdá
- Department of Population Health, Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy; New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Susan L Stewart
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, California, Davis, USA
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Nowels MA, Duberstein PR, Crystal S, Treitler P, Miles J, Olfson M, Samples H. Suicide within 1 year of non-fatal overdose: Risk factors and risk reduction with medications for opioid use disorder. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2024; 86:24-32. [PMID: 38061284 PMCID: PMC10880030 DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2023.11.003] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Individuals with substance use disorders and overdoses have high risk of suicide death, but evidence is limited on the relationship between interventions following the initial overdose and subsequent suicide death. METHODS National Medicare data were used to identify Medicare disability beneficiaries (MDBs) with inpatient or emergency care for non-fatal opioid overdoses from 2008 to 2016. Data were linked with National Death Index (NDI) to obtain dates and causes of death for the sample. Cox proportional hazards models estimated the associations between exposure to interventions (mechanical ventilation, MOUD) and suicide death. RESULTS The sample (n = 81,654) had a suicide rate in the year following a non-fatal overdose of 566 per 100,000 person-years. Post-overdose MOUD was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.20 (95%CI: 0.05,0.85). Risk of suicide was elevated for those whose initial overdoses required mechanical ventilation as part of the treatment (aHR: 1.86, 95%CI:[1.48,2.34]). CONCLUSIONS The year following a non-fatal opioid overdose is a very high-risk period for suicide among MDBs. Those receiving MOUD had an 80% reduction in the hazards of suicide, while those whose overdose treatment involved mechanical ventilation had 86% higher hazards of death by suicide. Our findings highlight the importance of psychiatric intervention in this high-risk population. Efforts are needed to initiate and retain more patients in MOUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly A Nowels
- Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, 683 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research, Rutgers University, 112 Paterson St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.
| | - Paul R Duberstein
- Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, 683 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Stephen Crystal
- Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research, Rutgers University, 112 Paterson St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Peter Treitler
- School of Social Work, Boston University, 264 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jennifer Miles
- Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research, Rutgers University, 112 Paterson St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Mark Olfson
- New York Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Hillary Samples
- Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, 683 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research, Rutgers University, 112 Paterson St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
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Langford AV, Bero L, Lin CWC, Blyth FM, Doctor JN, Holliday S, Jeon YH, Moullin JC, Murnion B, Nielsen S, Penm J, Reeve E, Reid S, Wale J, Osman R, Gnjidic D, Schneider CR. Context matters: using an Evidence to Decision (EtD) framework to develop and encourage uptake of opioid deprescribing guideline recommendations at the point-of-care. J Clin Epidemiol 2024; 165:111204. [PMID: 37931823 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2023.10.020] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe the development and use of an Evidence to Decision (EtD) framework when formulating recommendations for the Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for Deprescribing Opioid Analgesics. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING Evidence was derived from an overview of systematic reviews and qualitative studies conducted with healthcare professionals and people who take opioids for pain. A multidisciplinary guideline development group conducted extensive EtD framework review and iterative refinement to ensure that guideline recommendations captured contextual factors relevant to the guideline target setting and audience. RESULTS The guideline development group considered and accounted for the complexities of opioid deprescribing at the individual and health system level, shaping recommendations and practice points to facilitate point-of-care use. Stakeholders exhibited diverse preferences, beliefs, and values. This variability, low certainty of evidence, and system-level policies and funding models impacted the strength of the generated recommendations, resulting in the formulation of four 'conditional' recommendations. CONCLUSION The context within which evidence-based recommendations are considered, as well as the political and health system environment, can contribute to the success of recommendation implementation. Use of an EtD framework allowed for the development of implementable recommendations relevant at the point-of-care through consideration of limitations of the evidence and relevant contextual factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aili V Langford
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Lisa Bero
- School of Medicine, Colorado School of Public Health and Center for Bioethics and Humanities, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Chung-Wei Christine Lin
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Public Health, Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Sydney Musculoskeletal Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Fiona M Blyth
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jason N Doctor
- Sol Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Simon Holliday
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Yun-Hee Jeon
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Nursing School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joanna C Moullin
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Bridin Murnion
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Northern Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Suzanne Nielsen
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jonathan Penm
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Pharmacy, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, Australia
| | - Emily Reeve
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Sharon Reid
- Specialty of Addiction Medicine, Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Janet Wale
- Independent Consumer Representative, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rawa Osman
- NPS MedicineWise, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Danijela Gnjidic
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Carl R Schneider
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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14
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Langford AV, Schneider CR, Lin CC, Bero L, Collins JC, Suckling B, Gnjidic D. Patient-targeted interventions for opioid deprescribing: An overview of systematic reviews. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2023; 133:623-639. [PMID: 36808693 PMCID: PMC10953356 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13844] [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: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deprescribing (reduction or cessation) of prescribed opioids can be challenging for both patients and healthcare professionals. OBJECTIVE To synthesize and evaluate evidence from systematic reviews examining the effectiveness and outcomes of patient-targeted opioid deprescribing interventions for all types of pain. METHODS Systematic searches were conducted in five databases with results screened against predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Primary outcomes were (i) reduction in opioid dose, reported as change in oral Morphine Equivalent Daily Dose (oMEDD) and (ii) success of opioid deprescribing, reported as the proportion of the sample for which opioid use declined. Secondary outcomes included pain severity, physical function, quality of life and adverse events. The certainty of evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. FINDINGS Twelve reviews were eligible for inclusion. Interventions were heterogeneous in nature and included pharmacological (n = 4), physical (n = 3), procedural (n = 3), psychological or behavioural (n = 3) and mixed (n = 5) interventions. Multidisciplinary care programmes appeared to be the most effective intervention for opioid deprescribing; however, the certainty of evidence was low, with significant variability in opioid reduction across interventions. CONCLUSIONS Evidence is too uncertain to draw firm conclusions about specific populations who may derive the greatest benefit from opioid deprescribing, warranting further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aili V. Langford
- Centre for Medicine Use and SafetyMonash UniversityParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of PharmacyThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Carl R. Schneider
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of PharmacyThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Chung‐Wei Christine Lin
- Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Public HealthUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Sydney Musculoskeletal HealthThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Lisa Bero
- School of Medicine, Colorado School of Public Health and Center for Bioethics and HumanitiesUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical CenterDenverColoradoUSA
| | - Jack C. Collins
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of PharmacyThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Benita Suckling
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of PharmacyThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Pharmacy DepartmentCaboolture Hospital, Queensland HealthBrisbaneAustralia
| | - Danijela Gnjidic
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of PharmacyThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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Maust DT, Petzold K, Strominger J, Kim HM, Bohnert ASB. Benzodiazepine Discontinuation and Mortality Among Patients Receiving Long-Term Benzodiazepine Therapy. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2348557. [PMID: 38117495 PMCID: PMC10733804 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.48557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance There is interest in reducing long-term benzodiazepine prescribing given harms associated with use, but the cumulative risks or benefits of discontinuation are unknown. Objective To identify the association of benzodiazepine discontinuation with mortality and other adverse events among patients prescribed stable long-term benzodiazepine therapy, stratified by baseline opioid exposure. Design, Setting, and Participants This comparative effectiveness study with a trial emulation approach included data from a US commercial insurance database between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017. Eligible participants were adults with stable long-term benzodiazepine prescription treatment. Data were analyzed between December 2022 and November 2023. Exposure Benzodiazepine discontinuation, defined as no benzodiazepine prescription coverage for 31 consecutive days identified during a 6-month grace period after baseline. Main Outcome and Measures Mortality during 12 months of follow-up; secondary outcomes included nonfatal overdose, suicide attempt or self-inflicted injury, suicidal ideation, and emergency department use, identified in medical claims. Inverse probability weighting was used to adjust for baseline confounders that potentially affected treatment assignment and censoring due to death or disenrollment. Primary analysis used an intention-to-treat approach; a secondary per-protocol analysis estimated associations after accounting for nonadherence. Analyses were stratified by opioid use. Results The study included 213 011 (136 609 female [64.1%]; mean [SD] age, 62.2 [14.9] years; 2953 Asian [1.4%], 18 926 Black [8.9%], 22 734 Hispanic [10.7%], and 168 398 White [60.2%]) and 140 565 (91 811 female [65.3%]; mean [SD] age, 61.1 [13.2] years; 1319 Asian [0.9%], 15 945 Black [11.3%], 11 989 Hispanic [8.5%], and 111 312 White [79.2%]) patients with stable long-term benzodiazepine use without and with opioid exposure, respectively. Among the nonopioid exposed, the adjusted cumulative incidence of death after 1 year was 5.5% (95% CI, 5.4%-5.8%) for discontinuers, an absolute risk difference of 2.1 percentage points (95% CI, 1.9-2.3 percentage points) higher than for nondiscontinuers. The mortality risk was 1.6 (95% CI, 1.6-1.7) times that of nondiscontinuers. Among those with opioid exposure, the adjusted cumulative incidence of death was 6.3% (95% CI, 6.0%-6.6%) for discontinuers, an absolute risk difference of 2.4 percentage points (95% CI, 2.2-2.7 percentage points) higher than for nondiscontinuers and a mortality risk 1.6 (95% CI, 1.5-1.7) times that of nondiscontinuers. Cumulative incidence of secondary outcomes was also higher among discontinuers. Conclusions and Relevance This study identifies small absolute increases in risk of harms among patients with stable long-term prescription benzodiazepine treatment who appear to discontinue relative to continuing treatment, including those with and without recent prescription opioid exposure. Policy broadly promoting benzodiazepine discontinuation may have unintended risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donovan T. Maust
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Kierstdea Petzold
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Julie Strominger
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - H. Myra Kim
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Center for Statistical Consultation and Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Amy S. B. Bohnert
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
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Rikard SM, Nataraj N, Zhang K, Strahan AE, Mikosz CA, Guy GP. Longitudinal dose patterns among patients newly initiated on long-term opioid therapy in the United States, 2018 to 2019: an observational cohort study and time-series cluster analysis. Pain 2023; 164:2675-2683. [PMID: 37498751 PMCID: PMC10694996 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002994] [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: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Opioid prescribing varies widely, and prescribed opioid dosages for an individual can fluctuate over time. Patterns in daily opioid dosage among patients prescribed long-term opioid therapy have not been previously examined. This study uses a novel application of time-series cluster analysis to characterize and visualize daily opioid dosage trajectories and associated demographic characteristics of patients newly initiated on long-term opioid therapy. We used 2018 to 2019 data from the IQVIA Longitudinal Prescription (LRx) all-payer pharmacy database, which covers 92% of retail pharmacy prescriptions dispensed in the United States. We identified a cohort of 277,967 patients newly initiated on long-term opioid therapy during 2018. Patients were stratified into 4 categories based on their mean daily dosage during a 90-day baseline period (<50, 50-89, 90-149, and ≥150 morphine milligram equivalent [MME]) and followed for a 270-day follow-up period. Time-series cluster analysis identified 2 clusters for each of the 3 baseline dosage categories <150 MME and 3 clusters for the baseline dosage category ≥150 MME. One cluster in each baseline dosage category comprised opioid dosage trajectories with decreases in dosage at the end of the follow-up period (80.7%, 98.7%, 98.7%, and 99.0%, respectively), discontinuation (58.5%, 80.0%, 79.3%, and 81.7%, respectively), and rapid tapering (50.8%, 85.8%, 87.5%, and 92.9%, respectively). These findings indicate multiple clusters of patients newly initiated on long-term opioid therapy who experience discontinuation and rapid tapering and highlight potential areas for clinician training to advance evidence-based guideline-concordant opioid prescribing, including strategies to minimize sudden dosage changes, discontinuation, or rapid tapering, and the importance of shared decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Michaela Rikard
- Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Nisha Nataraj
- Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Kun Zhang
- Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Andrea E. Strahan
- Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Christina A. Mikosz
- Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Gery P. Guy
- Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Manhapra A, MacLean RR, Rosenheck R, Becker WC. Are opioids effective analgesics and is physiological opioid dependence benign? Revising current assumptions to effectively manage long-term opioid therapy and its deprescribing. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2023. [PMID: 37990580 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.15972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
A re-examination of clinical principles of long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) for chronic pain is long overdue amid the ongoing opioid crisis. Most patients on LTOT report ineffectiveness (poor pain control, function and health) but still find deprescribing challenging. Although prescribed as analgesics, opioids more likely provide pain relief primarily through reward system actions (enhanced relief and motivation) and placebo effect and less through antinociceptive effects. The unavoidable physiologic LTOT dependence can automatically lead to a paradoxical worsening of pain, disability and medical instability (maladaptive opioid dependence) without addiction due to allostatic opponent neuroadaptations involving reward/antireward and nociceptive/antinociceptive systems. This opioid-induced chronic pain syndrome (OICP) can persist/progress whether LTOT dose is maintained at the same level, increased, decreased or discontinued. Current conceptualization of LTOT as a straightforward long-term analgesic therapy appears incongruous in view of the complex mechanisms of opioid action, LTOT dependence and OICP. LTOT can be more appropriately conceptualized as therapeutic induction and maintenance of an adaptive LTOT dependence for functional improvement irrespective of analgesic benefits. Adaptive LTOT dependence should be ideally used for a limited time to achieve maximum functional recovery and deprescribed while maintaining functional gains. Patients on LTOT should be regularly re-evaluated to identify if maladaptive LTOT dependence with OICP has diminished any functional gains or leads to ineffectiveness. Ineffective LTOT (with maladaptive LTOT dependence) should be modified to make it safer and more effective. An adequately functional life without opioids is the ideal healthy long-term goal for both LTOT initiation and LTOT modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Manhapra
- Section of Pain Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Sciences, Hampton VA Medical Center, Hampton, Virginia, USA
- New England Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Psychiatry, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
| | - R Ross MacLean
- New England Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Robert Rosenheck
- New England Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - William C Becker
- Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities & Education Center of Innovation, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Friedman J, Godvin M, Molina C, Romero R, Borquez A, Avra T, Goodman-Meza D, Strathdee S, Bourgois P, Shover CL. Fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine-based counterfeit pills sold at tourist-oriented pharmacies in Mexico: An ethnographic and drug checking study. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 249:110819. [PMID: 37348270 PMCID: PMC10368172 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110819] [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: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fentanyl- and methamphetamine-based counterfeit prescription drugs have driven escalating overdose death rates in the US, however their presence in Mexico has not been assessed. Our ethnographic team has conducted longitudinal research focused on illicit drug markets in Northern Mexico since 2018. In 2021-2022, study participants described the arrival of new, unusually potent tablets sold as ostensibly controlled substances, without a prescription, directly from pharmacies that cater to US tourists. AIMS To characterize the availability of counterfeit and authentic controlled substances at pharmacies in Northern Mexico available to English-speaking tourists without a prescription. METHODS We employed an iterative, exploratory, mixed methods design. Longitudinal ethnographic data was used to characterize tourist-oriented micro-neighborhoods and guide the selection of n=40 pharmacies in n=4 cities in Northern Mexico. In each pharmacy, samples of "oxycodone", "Xanax", and "Adderall" were sought as single pills, during English-language encounters, after which detailed ethnographic accounts were recorded. We employed immunoassay-based testing strips to check each pill for the presence of fentanyls, benzodiazepines, amphetamines, and methamphetamines. We used Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy to further characterize drug contents. RESULTS Of n=40 pharmacies, one or more of the requested controlled substances could be obtained with no prescription (as single pills or in bottles) at 28 (70.0%) and as single pills at 19 (47.5%). Counterfeit pills were obtained at 11 pharmacies (27.5%). Of n=45 samples sold as one-off controlled substances, 18 were counterfeit. 7 of 11 (63.6%) samples sold as "Adderall" contained methamphetamine, 8 of 27 (29.6%) samples sold as "Oxycodone" contained fentanyl, and 3 "Oxycodone" samples contained heroin. Pharmacies providing counterfeit drugs were uniformly located in tourist-serving micro-neighborhoods, and generally featured English-language advertisements for erectile dysfunction medications and "painkillers". Pharmacy employees occasionally expressed concern about overdose risk and provided harm reduction guidance. DISCUSSION The availability of fentanyl-, heroin-, and methamphetamine-based counterfeit medications in tourist-oriented independent pharmacies in Northern Mexico represents a public health risk, and occurs in the context of 1) the normalization of medical tourism as a response to rising unaffordability of healthcare in the US, 2) plummeting rates of opioid prescription in the US, affecting both chronic pain patients and the availability of legitimate pharmaceuticals on the unregulated market, 3) the rise of fentanyl-based counterfeit opioids as a key driver of the fourth, and deadliest-to-date, wave of the opioid crisis. It was not possible to distinguish counterfeit medications based on appearance of pills or geography of pharmacies, because identically-appearing authentic and counterfeit versions were often sold in close geographic proximity. Nevertheless, people who consume drugs may be more trusting of controlled substances purchased directly from pharmacies. Due to Mexico's limited opioid overdose surveillance infrastructure, the current death rate from these substances remains unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Friedman
- Center for Social Medicine and Humanities, University of California, Los Angeles, United States.
| | - Morgan Godvin
- The Action Lab, Center for Health Policy and Law, Northeastern University, United States
| | - Caitlin Molina
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, University of California, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Ruby Romero
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, University of California, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Annick Borquez
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, United States
| | - Tucker Avra
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, United States
| | - David Goodman-Meza
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Steffanie Strathdee
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, United States
| | - Philippe Bourgois
- Center for Social Medicine and Humanities, University of California, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Chelsea L Shover
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, University of California, Los Angeles, United States
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19
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Langford AV, Lin CC, Bero L, Blyth FM, Doctor J, Holliday S, Jeon YH, Moullin J, Murnion B, Nielsen S, Osman R, Penm J, Reeve E, Reid S, Wale J, Schneider CR, Gnjidic D. Clinical practice guideline for deprescribing opioid analgesics: summary of recommendations. Med J Aust 2023; 219:80-89. [PMID: 37356051 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.52002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Long term opioids are commonly prescribed to manage pain. Dose reduction or discontinuation (deprescribing) can be challenging, even when the potential harms of continuation outweigh the perceived benefits. The Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for deprescribing opioid analgesics was developed using robust guideline development processes and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology, and contains deprescribing recommendations for adults prescribed opioids for pain. MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS Eleven recommendations provide advice about when, how and for whom opioid deprescribing should be considered, while noting the need to consider each person's goals, values and preferences. The recommendations aim to achieve: implementation of a deprescribing plan at the point of opioid initiation; initiation of opioid deprescribing for persons with chronic non-cancer or chronic cancer-survivor pain if there is a lack of overall and clinically meaningful improvement in function, quality of life or pain, a lack of progress towards meeting agreed therapeutic goals, or the person is experiencing serious or intolerable opioid-related adverse effects; gradual and individualised deprescribing, with regular monitoring and review; consideration of opioid deprescribing for individuals at high risk of opioid-related harms; avoidance of opioid deprescribing for persons nearing the end of life unless clinically indicated; avoidance of opioid deprescribing for persons with a severe opioid use disorder, with the initiation of evidence-based care, such as medication-assisted treatment of opioid use disorder; and use of evidence-based co-interventions to facilitate deprescribing, including interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary or multimodal care. CHANGES IN MANAGEMENT AS A RESULT OF THESE GUIDELINES To our knowledge, these are the first evidence-based guidelines for opioid deprescribing. The recommendations intend to facilitate safe and effective deprescribing to improve the quality of care for persons taking opioids for pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aili V Langford
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
- University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW
| | - Christine Cw Lin
- Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW
| | - Lisa Bero
- Center for Bioethics and Humanities, University of Colorado, Aurora (CO), USA
| | | | - Jason Doctor
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles (CA), USA
| | | | | | | | - Bridin Murnion
- University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW
- Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW
| | - Suzanne Nielsen
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
| | | | - Jonathan Penm
- University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW
- Prince of Wales Hospital and Community Health Services, Sydney, NSW
| | - Emily Reeve
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
- University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA
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Glanz JM, Xu S, Narwaney KJ, McClure DL, Rinehart DJ, Ford MA, Nguyen AP, Binswanger IA. Association Between Opioid Dose Reduction Rates and Overdose Among Patients Prescribed Long-Term Opioid Therapy. Subst Abus 2023; 44:209-219. [PMID: 37702046 DOI: 10.1177/08897077231186216] [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] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tapering long-term opioid therapy is an increasingly common practice, yet rapid opioid dose reductions may increase the risk of overdose. The objective of this study was to compare overdose risk following opioid dose reduction rates of ≤10%, 11% to 20%, 21% to 30%, and >30% per month to stable dosing. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study in three health systems in Colorado and Wisconsin. Participants were patients ≥18 years of age prescribed long-term opioid therapy between January 1, 2006, and June 30, 2019. Five opioid dosing patterns and drug overdoses (fatal and nonfatal) were identified using electronic health records, pharmacy records, and the National Death Index. Cox proportional hazard regression was conducted on a propensity score-weighted cohort to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for follow-up periods of 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after a dose reduction. RESULTS In a cohort of 17 540 patients receiving long-term opioid therapy, 42.7% of patients experienced a dose reduction. Relative to stable dosing, a dose reduction rate of >30% was associated with an increased risk of overdose and the aHR estimates decreased as the follow-up increased; the aHRs for the 1-, 6- and 12-month follow-ups were 5.33 (95% CI, 1.98-14.34), 1.81 (95% CI,1.08-3.03), and 1.49 (95% CI, 0.97-2.27), respectively. The slower tapering rates were not associated with overdose risk. CONCLUSIONS Patients receiving long-term opioid therapy exposed to dose reduction rates of >30% per month had increased overdose risk relative to patients exposed to stable dosing. Results support the use of slow dose reductions to minimize the risk of overdose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason M Glanz
- Institute for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Stanley Xu
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Komal J Narwaney
- Institute for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - David L McClure
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Population Health, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | - Deborah J Rinehart
- Center for Health Systems Research, Office of Research, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, CO, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Morgan A Ford
- Institute for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Anh P Nguyen
- Institute for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ingrid A Binswanger
- Institute for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
- Chemical Dependency Treatment Services, Colorado Permanente Medical Group, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, CA, USA
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21
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Treitler P, Samples H, Hermida R, Crystal S. Association of a State Prescribing Limits Policy with Opioid Prescribing and Long-term Use: an Interrupted Time Series Analysis. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:1862-1870. [PMID: 36609812 PMCID: PMC10271990 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07991-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prescription opioids were a major initial driver of the opioid crisis. States have attempted to reduce overprescribing by enacting policies that limit opioid prescriptions, but the impacts of such policies on new prescribing and subsequent transitions to long-term use are not fully understood. OBJECTIVE To examine the association of implementation of a state prescribing limits policy with opioid prescribing and transitions to long-term opioid use. DESIGN Interrupted time series analyses assessing trends in new opioid prescriptions and long-term use before and after policy implementation. PATIENTS A total of 130,591 New Jersey Medicaid enrollees ages 18-64 who received an initial opioid prescription from January 2014 to December 2019. INTERVENTIONS New Jersey's opioid prescribing limit policy implemented in March 2017. MAIN MEASURES Total new opioid prescriptions, percentage of new prescriptions with >5 days' supply, and transition to long-term opioid use, defined as having opioid supply on day 90 after the initial prescription. KEY RESULTS Policy implementation was associated with a significant monthly increase in new opioid prescriptions of 0.86 per 10,000 enrollees, halving the pre-policy decline in the prescribing rate. Among new opioid prescriptions, the percentage with >5 days' supply decreased by about 1 percentage point (-0.76 percentage points, 95% CI -0.89, -0.62) following policy implementation. However, policy implementation was associated with a significant monthly increase in the rate of initial prescriptions with supply on day 90 (9.95 per 10,000 new prescriptions, 95% CI 4.80, 15.11) that reversed the downward pre-implementation trend. CONCLUSIONS The New Jersey policy was associated with a reduction in initial prescriptions with >5 days' supply, but not with an overall decline in new opioid prescriptions or in the rate at which initial prescriptions led to long-term use. Given their only modest benefits, policymakers and clinicians should carefully weigh potential unintended consequences of strict prescribing limits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Treitler
- Institute for Health, Health Care Policy & Aging Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ USA
- School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ USA
| | - Hillary Samples
- Institute for Health, Health Care Policy & Aging Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ USA
- School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ USA
| | - Richard Hermida
- Institute for Health, Health Care Policy & Aging Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ USA
| | - Stephen Crystal
- Institute for Health, Health Care Policy & Aging Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ USA
- School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ USA
- School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ USA
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22
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Friedman J, Godvin M, Molina C, Romero R, Borquez A, Avra T, Goodman-Meza D, Strathdee S, Bourgois P, Shover CL. Fentanyl, Heroin, and Methamphetamine-Based Counterfeit Pills Sold at Tourist-Oriented Pharmacies in Mexico: An Ethnographic and Drug Checking Study. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.01.27.23285123. [PMID: 36747647 PMCID: PMC9901047 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.27.23285123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Background Our ethnographic team has conducted longitudinal research focused on illicit drug markets in Northern Mexico since 2018. In 2021-2022, study participants described the arrival of new, unusually potent tablets sold as ostensibly controlled substances, without a prescription, directly from pharmacies that cater to US tourists. Concurrently, fentanyl- and methamphetamine-based counterfeit prescription drugs have driven escalating overdose death rates in the US, however their presence in Mexico has not been assessed. Aims To characterize the availability of counterfeit and authentic controlled substances at pharmacies in Northern Mexico available to English-speaking tourists without a prescription. Methods We employed an iterative, exploratory, mixed methods design. Longitudinal ethnographic data was used to characterize tourist-oriented micro-neighborhoods and guide the selection of n=40 pharmacies in n=4 cities in Northern Mexico. In each pharmacy, samples of "oxycodone", "Xanax", and "Adderall" were sought as single pills, during English-language encounters, after which detailed ethnographic accounts were recorded. We employed immunoassay-based testing strips to check each pill for the presence of fentanyls, benzodiazepines, amphetamines, and methamphetamines. We used Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy to further characterize drug contents. Results Of 40 pharmacies, these controlled substances could be obtained in any form with no prescription at 68.3% and as single pills at 46.3%. Counterfeit pills were obtained at n=11 (26.8%) of pharmacies. Of n=45 samples sold as one-off controlled substances, n=20 were counterfeit including 9 of 11 (81.8%) of samples sold as "Adderall" that contained methamphetamine, and 8 of 27 (29.6%) of samples sold as "Oxycodone" that contained fentanyl, and n=3 'Oxycodone' samples containing heroin. Pharmacies providing counterfeit drugs were uniformly located in tourist-serving micro-neighborhoods, and generally featured English-language advertisements for erectile dysfunction medications and 'painkillers'. Pharmacy employees occasionally expressed concern about overdose risk and provided harm reduction guidance. Discussion The availability of fentanyl-, heroin-, and methamphetamine-based counterfeit medications in Northern Mexico represents a public health risk, and occurs in the context of 1) the normalization of medical tourism as a response to rising unaffordability of healthcare in the US, 2) plummeting rates of opioid prescription in the US, affecting both chronic pain patients and the availability of legitimate pharmaceuticals on the unregulated market, 3) the rise of fentanyl-based counterfeit opioids as a key driver of the fourth, and deadliest-to-date, wave of the opioid crisis. It is not possible to distinguish counterfeit medications based on appearance, because identically-appearing authentic and counterfeit versions are often sold in close geographic proximity. Nevertheless, US tourist drug consumers may be more trusting of controlled substances purchased directly from pharmacies. Due to Mexico's limited opioid overdose surveillance infrastructure, the current death rate from these substances remains unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Friedman
- Center for Social Medicine and Humanities, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Morgan Godvin
- The Action Lab, Center for Health Policy and Law, Northeastern University
| | - Caitlin Molina
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Ruby Romero
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Annick Borquez
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health. Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego
| | - Tucker Avra
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | | | - Steffanie Strathdee
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health. Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego
| | - Philippe Bourgois
- Center for Social Medicine and Humanities, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Chelsea L. Shover
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, University of California, Los Angeles
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23
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Poole HM, Frank B, Begley E, Woods A, Ramos-Silva A, Merriman M, McCulough R, Montgomery C. Feasibility study of a Behavioural Intervention for Opioid Reduction (BIOR) for patients with chronic non-cancer pain in primary care: a protocol. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e065646. [PMID: 36657771 PMCID: PMC9853248 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Around 30%-50% of adults suffer moderate to severe chronic pain not caused by cancer. Significant numbers are treated with opioids which over time may cease to be effective and produce side effects (eg, nausea, drowsiness and constipation). Stopping taking opioids abruptly can cause unpleasant withdrawal effects. Tapering in small steps is recommended, though some patients might struggle and need support, particularly if they have limited access to pain management alternatives. Awareness of the potential risks as well as benefits of tapering should be explored with patients. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A randomised controlled pilot feasibility study to investigate the effectiveness and feasibility of reducing high doses of opioids through a tapering protocol, education and support in primary care. Working with NHS Knowsley Place, we will identify patients taking 50 mg or above morphine equivalent dose of opioids per day to be randomly allocated to either the tapering group or tapering with support group. At an initial joint appointment with a pain consultant and General Practitioner (GP) GP tapering will be discussed and negotiated. Both groups will have their opioid reduced by 10% per week. The taper with support group will have access to additional support, including motivational counselling, realistic goal setting and a toolkit of resources to promote self-management. Some patients will successfully reduce their dose each week. For others, this may be more difficult, and the tapering reduction will be adjusted to 10% per fortnight. We assess opioid use, pain and quality of life in both groups at the start and end of the study to determine which intervention works best to support people with chronic pain who wish to stop taking opioids. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The Behavioural Intervention for Opioid Reduction feasibility study has been granted full approval by Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee on 7 April 2022 (22/NW/0047). The current protocol version is V.1.1, date 6 July 2022. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated to patient stakeholders in a lay summary report available on the project website and in participating GP surgeries. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN 30201337.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen M Poole
- School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
- Pain Research Institute, Liverpool, UK
| | - Bernhard Frank
- Pain Research Institute, Liverpool, UK
- The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Aimee Woods
- School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
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Dowell D, Ragan KR, Jones CM, Baldwin GT, Chou R. CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain - United States, 2022. MMWR Recomm Rep 2022; 71:1-95. [PMID: 36327391 PMCID: PMC9639433 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.rr7103a1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 398] [Impact Index Per Article: 199.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
This guideline provides recommendations for clinicians providing pain care, including those prescribing opioids, for outpatients aged ≥18 years. It updates the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain - United States, 2016 (MMWR Recomm Rep 2016;65[No. RR-1]:1-49) and includes recommendations for managing acute (duration of <1 month), subacute (duration of 1-3 months), and chronic (duration of >3 months) pain. The recommendations do not apply to pain related to sickle cell disease or cancer or to patients receiving palliative or end-of-life care. The guideline addresses the following four areas: 1) determining whether or not to initiate opioids for pain, 2) selecting opioids and determining opioid dosages, 3) deciding duration of initial opioid prescription and conducting follow-up, and 4) assessing risk and addressing potential harms of opioid use. CDC developed the guideline using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. Recommendations are based on systematic reviews of the scientific evidence and reflect considerations of benefits and harms, patient and clinician values and preferences, and resource allocation. CDC obtained input from the Board of Scientific Counselors of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (a federally chartered advisory committee), the public, and peer reviewers. CDC recommends that persons with pain receive appropriate pain treatment, with careful consideration of the benefits and risks of all treatment options in the context of the patient's circumstances. Recommendations should not be applied as inflexible standards of care across patient populations. This clinical practice guideline is intended to improve communication between clinicians and patients about the benefits and risks of pain treatments, including opioid therapy; improve the effectiveness and safety of pain treatment; mitigate pain; improve function and quality of life for patients with pain; and reduce risks associated with opioid pain therapy, including opioid use disorder, overdose, and death.
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25
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Kertesz SG, Varley AL, Fuqua LA, Gordon AJ. The North American opioid crisis: educational failures and incautious stoppage. Lancet 2022; 400:1402. [PMID: 36273475 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(22)01591-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lera A Fuqua
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Adam J Gordon
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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26
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Binswanger IA, Shetterly SM, Xu S, Narwaney KJ, McClure DL, Rinehart DJ, Nguyen AP, Glanz JM. Opioid Dose Trajectories and Associations With Mortality, Opioid Use Disorder, Continued Opioid Therapy, and Health Plan Disenrollment. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2234671. [PMID: 36197665 PMCID: PMC9535531 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.34671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Uncertainty remains about the longer-term benefits and harms of different opioid management strategies, such as tapering and dose escalation. For instance, opioid tapering could help patients reduce opioid exposure to prevent opioid use disorder, but patients may also seek care elsewhere and engage in nonprescribed opioid use. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between opioid dose trajectories observed in practice and patient outcomes. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective cohort study was conducted in 3 health systems in Colorado and Wisconsin. The study population included patients receiving long-term opioid therapy between 50 and 200 morphine milligram equivalents between August 1, 2014, and July 31, 2017. Follow-up ended on December 31, 2019. Data were analyzed from January 2020 to August 2022. EXPOSURES Group-based trajectory modeling identified 5 dosing trajectories over 1 year: 1 decreasing, 1 high-dose increasing, and 3 stable. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Primary outcomes assessed after the trajectory period were 1-year all-cause mortality, incident opioid use disorder, continued opioid therapy at 1 year, and health plan disenrollment. Associations were tested using Cox proportional hazards regression and log-binomial models, adjusting for baseline covariates. RESULTS A total of 3913 patients (mean [SD] age, 59.2 [14.4] years; 2767 White non-Hispanic [70.7%]; 2237 female patients [57.2%]) were included in the study. Compared with stable trajectories, the decreasing dose trajectory was negatively associated with opioid use disorder (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.40; 95% CI, 0.29-0.55) and continued opioid therapy (site 1: adjusted relative risk [aRR], 0.39; 95% CI, 0.34-0.44), but was positively associated with health plan disenrollment (aHR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.24-2.22). The decreasing trajectory was not associated with mortality (aHR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.87-1.86). In contrast, the high-dose increasing trajectory was positively associated with mortality (aHR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.44-3.32) and opioid use disorder (aHR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.39-2.37) but was not associated with disenrollment (aHR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.56-1.42) or continued opioid therapy (site 1: aRR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.94-1.03). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this cohort study, decreasing opioid dose was associated with reduced risk of opioid use disorder and continued opioid therapy but increased risk of disenrollment compared with stable dosing, whereas the high-dose increasing trajectory was associated with an increased risk of mortality and opioid use disorder. These findings can inform opioid management decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid A. Binswanger
- Institute for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Aurora
- Chemical Dependency Treatment Services, Colorado Permanente Medical Group, Aurora
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
- Department of Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, California
| | | | - Stanley Xu
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena
| | | | - David L. McClure
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Population Health, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Marshfield, Wisconsin
| | - Deborah J. Rinehart
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
- Center for Health Systems Research, Office of Research, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, Colorado
| | - Anh P. Nguyen
- Institute for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Aurora
| | - Jason M. Glanz
- Institute for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Aurora
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora
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27
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Hartung DM, Markwardt S, Johnston K, Geddes J, Baker R, Leichtling G, Hildebran C, Chan B, Cook RR, McCarty D, Ghitza U, Korthuis PT. Association between treatment setting and outcomes among oregon medicaid patients with opioid use disorder: a retrospective cohort study. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2022; 17:45. [PMID: 35986384 PMCID: PMC9389731 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-022-00318-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Residential treatment is a common approach for treating opioid use disorder (OUD), however, few studies have directly compared it to outpatient treatment. The objective of this study was to compare OUD outcomes among individuals receiving residential and outpatient treatment. METHODS A retrospective cohort study used linked data from a state Medicaid program, vital statistics, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Episodes Dataset (TEDS) to compare OUD-related health outcomes among individuals treated in a residential or outpatient setting between 2014 and 2017. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression models examined the association between treatment setting and outcomes (i.e., opioid overdose, non-overdose opioid-related and all-cause emergency department (ED) visits, hospital admissions, and treatment retention) controlling for patient characteristics, co-morbidities, and use of medications for opioid use disorders (MOUD). Interaction models evaluated how MOUD use modified associations between treatment setting and outcomes. RESULTS Of 3293 individuals treated for OUD, 957 (29%) received treatment in a residential facility. MOUD use was higher among those treated as an outpatient (43%) compared to residential (19%). The risk of opioid overdose (aHR 1.39; 95% CI 0.73-2.64) or an opioid-related emergency department encounter or admission (aHR 1.02; 95% CI 0.80-1.29) did not differ between treatment settings. Independent of setting, MOUD use was associated with a significant reduction in overdose risk (aHR 0.45; 95% CI 0.23-0.89). Residential care was associated with greater odds of retention at 6-months (aOR 1.71; 95% CI 1.32-2.21) but not 1-year. Residential treatment was only associated with improved retention for individuals not receiving MOUD (6-month aOR 2.05; 95% CI 1.56-2.71) with no benefit observed in those who received MOUD (aOR 0.75; 95% CI 0.46-1.29; interaction p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Relative to outpatient treatment, residential treatment was not associated with reductions in opioid overdose or opioid-related ED encounters/hospitalizations. Regardless of setting, MOUD use was associated with a significant reduction in opioid overdose risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M Hartung
- Oregon State University College of Pharmacy, Portland, OR, USA.
- College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University @ Oregon Health & Science University, Robertson Collaborative Life Sciences Building (RLSB), 2730 S Moody Ave., CL5CP, Portland, OR, 97201-5042, USA.
| | - Sheila Markwardt
- Oregon Health & Science University, Biostatistics and Design Program, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Kirbee Johnston
- Oregon State University College of Pharmacy, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jonah Geddes
- PSU-OHSU School of Public Health, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Robin Baker
- PSU-OHSU School of Public Health, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | | | - Brian Chan
- Oregon Health & Science University, Section of Addiction Medicine, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Ryan R Cook
- Oregon Health & Science University, Section of Addiction Medicine, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | - Udi Ghitza
- National Institute On Drug Abuse (NIDA), Center for the Clinical Trials Network (CCTN), Bethesda, ML, USA
| | - P Todd Korthuis
- PSU-OHSU School of Public Health, Portland, OR, USA
- Oregon Health & Science University, Section of Addiction Medicine, Portland, OR, USA
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28
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Larochelle MR, Lodi S, Yan S, Clothier BA, Goldsmith ES, Bohnert ASB. Comparative Effectiveness of Opioid Tapering or Abrupt Discontinuation vs No Dosage Change for Opioid Overdose or Suicide for Patients Receiving Stable Long-term Opioid Therapy. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2226523. [PMID: 35960518 PMCID: PMC9375167 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.26523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Opioid dosage tapering has emerged as a strategy to reduce harms associated with long-term opioid therapy; however, evidence supporting this approach is limited. OBJECTIVE To identify the association of opioid tapering or abrupt discontinuation with opioid overdose and suicide events among patients receiving stable long-term opioid therapy without evidence of opioid misuse. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This comparative effectiveness study with a trial emulation approach used a large US claims data set of individuals with commercial insurance or Medicare Advantage who were aged 18 years or older and receiving stable long-term opioid therapy without evidence of opioid misuse between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2018. Statistical analysis was performed from January 17, 2020, through November 12, 2021. INTERVENTIONS Three opioid dosage strategies: stable dosage, tapering (dosage reduction ≥15%), or abrupt discontinuation. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Time to opioid overdose or suicide event identified from International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision diagnosis codes in medical claims over 11 months of follow-up. Inverse probability weighting was used to adjust for baseline confounders. The primary analysis used an intention-to-treat approach; follow-up after assignment regardless of changes in opioid dose was included. A per-protocol analysis was also conducted, in which episodes were censored for lack of adherence to assigned treatment. RESULTS A cohort of 199 836 individuals (45.1% men; mean [SD] age, 56.9 [12.4] years; and 57.6% aged 45-64 years) had 415 123 qualifying, long-term opioid therapy episodes; 87.1% of episodes were considered stable, 11.1% were considered a taper, and 1.8% were considered abrupt discontinuation. The adjusted cumulative incidence of opioid overdose or suicide events 11 months after baseline was 0.96% (95% CI, 0.92%-0.99%) with a stable dosage strategy, 1.10% (95% CI, 0.99%-1.22%) with a tapered dosage strategy, and 1.28% (95% CI, 0.93%-1.38%) with an abrupt discontinuation strategy. The risk difference between a taper and a stable dosage was 0.15% (95% CI, 0.03%-0.26%), and the risk difference between abrupt discontinuation and a stable dosage was 0.33% (95% CI, -0.03% to 0.74%). Results were similar using the per-protocol approach. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study identified a small absolute increase in risk of harms associated with opioid tapering compared with a stable opioid dosage. These results do not suggest that policies of mandatory dosage tapering for individuals receiving a stable long-term opioid dosage without evidence of opioid misuse will reduce short-term harm via suicide and overdose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc R. Larochelle
- Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sara Lodi
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shapei Yan
- Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Barbara A. Clothier
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Elizabeth S. Goldsmith
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis
| | - Amy S. B. Bohnert
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Veterans Affairs Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor
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29
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan G Kertesz
- Birmingham VA Health Care System, Birmingham, Alabama
- Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - Allyson L Varley
- Birmingham VA Health Care System, Birmingham, Alabama
- Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
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30
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Nadeau SE, Lawhern RA. Management of chronic non-cancer pain: a framework. Pain Manag 2022; 12:751-777. [PMID: 35642546 DOI: 10.2217/pmt-2022-0017] [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: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Since publication of the CDC 2016 Guideline, opioid-related mortality in the USA has doubled and a crisis has developed among the 15-20 million Americans with chronic, moderate-to-severe, noncancer pain. Our aim was to develop a comprehensive alternative approach to management of chronic pain. Methods: Analytic review of the clinical literature. Results: Published science provides a solid framework for the management of chronic non-cancer pain, detailed here, even as it leaves many knowledge gaps, which we fill with insights from clinical experience. Conclusion: There is a sufficient basis in science and in clinical experience to achieve adequate control of chronic pain in nearly all patients in a way that adequately balances benefits and potential harms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen E Nadeau
- Neurology Service & the Brain Rehabilitation Research Center, Malcom Randall VA Medical Center & the Department of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine, FL 32608-1197, USA
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Patient outcomes after opioid dose reduction among patients with chronic opioid therapy: erratum. Pain 2022; 163:e613. [PMID: 35302983 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Langford AV, Schneider CR, Lin CWC, Gnjidic D. Can we improve patient outcomes through using evidence-based opioid deprescribing guidelines to reduce opioid use? Pain 2022; 163:e382. [PMID: 35029601 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aili V Langford
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Carl R Schneider
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Chung-Wei Christine Lin
- Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Danijela Gnjidic
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Kharasch ED, Clark JD, Adams JM. Opioids and Public Health: The Prescription Opioid Ecosystem and Need for Improved Management. Anesthesiology 2022; 136:10-30. [PMID: 34874401 PMCID: PMC10715730 DOI: 10.1097/aln.0000000000004065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
While U.S. opioid prescribing has decreased 38% in the past decade, opioid deaths have increased 300%. This opioid paradox is poorly recognized. Current approaches to opioid management are not working, and new approaches are needed. This article reviews the outcomes and shortcomings of recent U.S. opioid policies and strategies that focus primarily or exclusively on reducing or eliminating opioid prescribing. It introduces concepts of a prescription opioid ecosystem and opioid pool, and it discusses how the pool can be influenced by supply-side, demand-side, and opioid returns factors. It illuminates pressing policy needs for an opioid ecosystem that enables proper opioid stewardship, identifies associated responsibilities, and emphasizes the necessity of making opioid returns as easy and common as opioid prescribing, in order to minimize the size of the opioid pool available for potential diversion, misuse, overdose, and death. Approaches are applicable to opioid prescribing in general, and to opioid prescribing after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan D Kharasch
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - J David Clark
- the Anesthesiology Service, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California
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