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Tremonti C, Celemajer DS, Marel C, Mills K, Foo S, Wilson J, Slade T, Teesson M, Haber P. Low Risk of Cardiac Complications during Long-Term Follow-Up of Opioid Dependence. J Addict Med 2024:01271255-990000000-00330. [PMID: 38941157 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To prospectively assess rates of QT prolongation, arrhythmia, syncope, and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in a cohort of people with heroin dependence. METHODS To estimate rates of QT prolongation, arrhythmia, and syncope, a subcohort (n = 130) from the Australian Treatment Outcomes Study, a prospective longitudinal cohort study of 615 people with heroin dependence, underwent medical history, venepuncture, and ECG at the 18- to 20-year follow-up.To estimate rates of SCD, probabilistic matching for the entire cohort was undertaken with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare National Death Index. Deaths were classified into suicide, accidental overdose, trauma, unknown, and disease, which were then further subclassified by probability of SCD. SCD rate was the number of possible or probable SCDs divided by total patient years from the cohort. RESULTS From the subcohort, 4 participants (3%) met the criteria for QT prolongation; 3 were prescribed methadone. Seven participants (5%) reported history of arrhythmia, including 2 transferred from methadone to buprenorphine. Thirty participants (23%) reported a previous syncopal event-14 diagnosed as nonarrhythmic syncope and 13 not investigated. In the previous 12 months, 66 participants (51%) reported heroin use; 55 participants (42%) were prescribed methadone. No participant had QTc greater than 500 milliseconds.There were 3 possible SCDs, translating to an estimated SCD rate of 0.29 (CI: 0.05, 0.8) events per 1000 patient years. More cohort members died of overdose (n = 50), suicide (n = 11), and hepatitis C (n = 4). CONCLUSIONS Low rates of QT prolongation, arrhythmia, syncope, and SCD in the cohort despite high rates of heroin use and methadone treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Tremonti
- From the Alcohol and Drug Services, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia (CT); Drug and Alcohol Department RPA Hospital, Sydney, Australia (CT); Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney (CT, DSC); Department of Cardiology, RPA Hospital (DS); Heart Research Institute (DSC); University of Sydney Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Sydney, NSW, Australia (CM, KM, JW, TS, MT); Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia (SF); Department of Cardiology, North Shore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand (SF); Macquarie University (TS); Black Dog Institute (TS); and Drug Health Services RPA Hospital, Faculty of Health and Medicine University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia (PH)
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Darke S, Duflou J, Peacock A, Farrell M, Lappin J. Differences in heroin overdose deaths in Australia by age, 2020-2022: Disease and estimated survival times. DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE REPORTS 2024; 10:100217. [PMID: 38332901 PMCID: PMC10850106 DOI: 10.1016/j.dadr.2024.100217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Background The age of people who use illicit opioids has increased, with a clinical picture of accelerated ageing. The study aimed to determine, stratified by age: 1. The circumstances and characteristics of heroin-related toxicity deaths in Australia, 2020-2022; 2. The toxicological profile and autopsy findings; 3. The proportion of cases in which blood 6-acetyl morphine (6AM) was detected, as a measure of survival time. Methods Retrospective study of 610 cases of fatal heroin-related drug toxicity in Australia, 2020-2022. Cases were stratified as: <30 years, 30-39 years, 40-49 years, ≥50 years. Results Compared to the youngest group, those aged ≥50 years were more likely to have a history of chronic pain (12.4 v 3.3 %), to have their death attributed to combined drug toxicity/disease (20.1 v 3.3 %), and to have evidence of a sudden collapse (21.3 v 11.1 %). There were no differences in free morphine concentrations or glucuronide concentrations. Compared to the youngest group, however, the two older groups were significantly more likely to have 6AM present in blood, a proxy measure of a shorter survival time (52.0, 55.2 v 34.5 %). Compared to the youngest group, cases aged ≥50 years were more likely to be diagnosed with cardiomegaly (44.0 v 16.7 %), coronary artery disease (46.0 v 15.0 %), emphysema (35.0 v 5.1 %), hepatic steatosis (15.4 v 3.4 %), hepatic fibrosis (17.6 v 3.4 %), and cirrhosis (19.8 v 0.0 %). Conclusions Older cases of heroin overdose had more extensive heart, lung, and liver disease, and appeared more likely to have shorter survival times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane Darke
- National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Johan Duflou
- National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Amy Peacock
- National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Michael Farrell
- National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Julia Lappin
- National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia
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Darke S, Duflou J, Peacock A, Farrell M, Lappin J. A descriptive coronial study of heroin toxicity deaths in Australia, 2020-2022: Characteristics, toxicology and survival times. Addiction 2024; 119:559-569. [PMID: 37921084 DOI: 10.1111/add.16377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Mortality rates among people who use heroin are estimated to be 15 times that of the general population. The study aimed to determine (1) the case characteristics and circumstances of death of heroin-related toxicity deaths in Australia, 2020-2022; (2) their toxicological profile and major autopsy findings; (3) the proportion of cases in which blood 6-acetyl morphine (6AM) was detected, as a proxy measure of survival times; and (4) compare 6AM positive and negative cases on toxicology, circumstances of death and acute clinical presentation. DESIGN Retrospective study of heroin toxicity deaths in Australia, 2020-2022, retrieved from the National Coronial Information System. SETTING This study was conducted Australia-wide. CASES There were 610 cases of fatal heroin-related drug toxicity. MEASUREMENTS Information was collected on characteristics, manner of death, toxicology and autopsy results. FINDINGS The mean age was 42.6 years (range 18-73 years), 80.5% were male and 7.5% were enrolled in a drug treatment programme. The circumstances of death were as follows: unintentional drug toxicity (86.2%), combined unintentional drug toxicity/disease (11.3%) and intentional drug toxicity (2.5%). The median free morphine concentration was 0.17 mg/L (range 0.00-4.20 mg/L). Psychoactive drugs other than heroin were present in 95.2% (Confidence Interval 93.1%-96.8%), most commonly hypnosedatives (62.3%, 58.2%-66.4%) and psychostimulants (44.8%, 40.7%-49.1%). Major autopsy findings of clinical significance included acute bronchopneumonia (14.8%, 11.3%-18.8%), emphysema (16.9%, 13.2%-21.1%), cardiomegaly (30.1%, 12.7%-28.2%), coronary artery disease (27.4%, 23.0%-32.3%), coronary replacement fibrosis (13.4%, 10.1%-17.3%), hepatic cirrhosis (8.8%, 6.6%-12.2%) and renal fibrosis (10.3%, 7.3%-14.0%). In 47.0% (42.3%-51.2%), 6AM was present in blood. CONCLUSIONS The 'typical' heroin overdose case in Australia from 2020 to 2022 was a male who injected heroin, aged in the 40s, not enrolled in a treatment programme and had used multiple drugs. In over half of cases, there had been a sufficient survival time for 6-acetyl morphine to have been metabolised, which may indicate times in excess of 20-30 min.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane Darke
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Johan Duflou
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Amy Peacock
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael Farrell
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Julia Lappin
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Marsden J, Kelleher M, Gilvarry E, Mitcheson L, Bisla J, Cape A, Cowden F, Day E, Dewhurst J, Evans R, Hardy W, Hearn A, Kelly J, Lowry N, McCusker M, Murphy C, Murray R, Myton T, Quarshie S, Vanderwaal R, Wareham A, Hughes D, Hoare Z. Superiority and cost-effectiveness of monthly extended-release buprenorphine versus daily standard of care medication: a pragmatic, parallel-group, open-label, multicentre, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial. EClinicalMedicine 2023; 66:102311. [PMID: 38045803 PMCID: PMC10692661 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Daily methadone maintenance or buprenorphine treatment is the standard-of-care (SoC) medication for opioid use disorder (OUD). Subcutaneously injected, extended-release buprenorphine (BUP-XR) may be more effective-but there has been no superiority evaluation. Methods This pragmatic, parallel-group, open-label, multi-centre, effectiveness superiority randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial was conducted at five National Health Service community-based treatment clinics in England and Scotland. Participants (adults aged ≥ 18 years; all meeting DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for moderate or severe OUD at admission to their current maintenance treatment episode) were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive continued daily SoC (liquid methadone (usual dose range: 60-120 mg) or sublingual/transmucosal buprenorphine (usual dose range: 8-24 mg) for 24 weeks; or monthly BUP-XR (Sublocade;® two injections of 300 mg, then four maintenance injections of 100 mg or 300 mg, with maintenance dose selected by response and preference) for 24 weeks. In the intent-to-treat population (senior statistician blinded to blinded to treatment group allocation), and with a seven-day grace period after randomisation, the primary endpoint was the count of days abstinent from non-medical opioids between days 8-168 (i.e., weeks 2-24; range: 0-161 days). Safety was reported for the intention-to- treat population. Adopting a broad societal perspective inclusive of criminal justice, NHS and personal social service costs, a trial-based cost-utility analysis estimated the Incremental Cost-effectiveness Ratio (ICER) per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) of BUP-XR versus SoC at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence threshold. The study was registered EudraCT (2018-004460-63) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05164549), and is completed. Findings Between Aug 9, 2019 and Nov 2, 2021, 314 participants were randomly allocated to receive SoC (n = 156) or BUP-XR (n = 158). Participants were abstinent from opioids for an adjusted mean of 104.37 days (standard error [SE] 9.89; range: 0-161 days) in the SoC group and an adjusted mean of 123.43 days (SE 4.76; range: 24-161 days) in the BUP-XR group (adjusted incident rate ratio [IRR] 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-1.33; p-value 0.004). The incidence of any adverse event was higher in the BUP-XR group than the SoC group (128 [81.0%] of 158 participants versus 67 [42.9%] of 156 participants, respectively-most commonly rapidly-resolving (mild-moderate range) pain from drug administration in the BUP-XR group (121 [26.9%] of 450 adverse events). There were 11 serious adverse events (7.0%) in the 158 participants in the BUP-XR group, and 18 serious adverse events (11.5%) in the 156 participants in the SoC group-none judged to be related to study treatment. The BUP-XR treatment group had a mean incremental cost of £1033 (95% central range [CR] -1189 to 3225) and was associated with a mean incremental QALY of 0.02 (95% CR 0.00-0.05), and an ICER of £47,540 (0.37 probability of being cost-effective at the £30,000/QALY gained willingness-to-pay threshold). However, BUP-XR dominated the SoC among participants who were rated more severe at study baseline, and among participants in maintenance treatment for more that 28 days at study enrolment. Interpretation Evaluated against the daily oral SoC, monthly BUP-XR is clinically superior, delivering greater abstinence from opioids, and with a comparable safety profile. BUP-XR was not cost-effective in a base case cost-utility analysis using the societal perspective, but it was more effective and less costly (dominant) among participants with more severe OUD, or those whose current treatment episode was longer than 28 days. Further trials are needed to evaluate if BUP-XR is associated with better clinical and health economic outcomes over the longer term. Funding Indivior.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Marsden
- Addictions Department, School of Academic Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, United Kingdom
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
| | - Mike Kelleher
- Addictions Department, School of Academic Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, United Kingdom
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
| | - Eilish Gilvarry
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Addictions Service, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Luke Mitcheson
- Addictions Department, School of Academic Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, United Kingdom
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
| | - Jatinder Bisla
- King’s Clinical Trials Unit, Research Management and Innovation Directorate, King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Cape
- King’s Clinical Trials Unit, Research Management and Innovation Directorate, King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Cowden
- NHS Tayside and Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Edward Day
- Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health, NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Dewhurst
- Addictions Division, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Evans
- School of Health Sciences, Bangor University, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Will Hardy
- Clinic for Health Economics and Medicines Evaluation, Bangor University, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Hearn
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Addictions Service, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna Kelly
- King’s Clinical Trials Unit, Research Management and Innovation Directorate, King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie Lowry
- Addictions Department, School of Academic Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, United Kingdom
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
| | - Martin McCusker
- Lambeth Service User Council, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Murphy
- King’s Clinical Trials Unit, Research Management and Innovation Directorate, King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Murray
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Addictions Service, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Tracey Myton
- Addictions Division, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie Quarshie
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Addictions Service, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Rob Vanderwaal
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
| | - April Wareham
- Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Representative, United Kingdom
| | - Dyfrig Hughes
- Clinic for Health Economics and Medicines Evaluation, Bangor University, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Zoë Hoare
- School of Health Sciences, Bangor University, Wales, United Kingdom
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Bech AB, Clausen T, Waal H, Delaveris GJM, Skeie I. Organ pathologies detected post-mortem in patients receiving opioid agonist treatment for opioid use disorder: a nation-wide 2-year cross-sectional study. Addiction 2022; 117:977-985. [PMID: 34648218 DOI: 10.1111/add.15705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To document organ pathologies detected post-mortem in patients receiving opioid agonist treatment for opioid use disorder and estimate the extent to which individual characteristics are associated with pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic or renal pathologies. DESIGN Two-year cross-sectional nation-wide study. SETTING Norway. PARTICIPANTS Among all 200 patients who died during opioid agonist treatment between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2015, 125 patients (63%) were autopsied. Among these, 122 patients (75% men) had available autopsy reports and were included. The mean age at the time of death was 48 years. MEASUREMENTS Information on pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic and renal pathologies were retrieved from forensic or medical autopsy reports, with no (0) and yes (1) as outcome variables and age, sex and body mass index as covariates in logistic regression analyses. FINDINGS Pathologies in several organs were common. Two-thirds (65%) of the decedents had more than two organ system diseases. The most common organ pathologies were chronic liver disease (84%), cardiovascular disease (68%) and pulmonary emphysema (41%). In bivariate analyses, only older age was associated with any pulmonary pathology [odds ratio (OR) = 1.06; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01-1.10], cardiovascular pathology (OR = 1.11; 95% CI = 1.05-1.17) and renal pathology (OR = 1.05; 95% CI = 1.00-1.11). Older age remained independently associated with cardiovascular pathology (OR = 1.10; 95% CI = 1.04-1.16) and renal pathology (OR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.01-1.12) adjusted for body mass index and sex. CONCLUSIONS Among autopsied Norwegians who died during opioid agonist treatment in 2014 and 2015, two-thirds had more than two organ system diseases, despite their mean age of 48 years at the time of death. Older age was independently associated with at least one cardiovascular or renal pathology after adjusting for sex and body mass index.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Berit Bech
- National Advisory Unit on Concurrent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Department of Mental Health, Brumunddal, Norway
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research (SERAF), Institute of Clinical Medicine, Oslo University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Thomas Clausen
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research (SERAF), Institute of Clinical Medicine, Oslo University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Helge Waal
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research (SERAF), Institute of Clinical Medicine, Oslo University, Oslo, Norway
- National Advisory Unit on Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Ivar Skeie
- National Advisory Unit on Concurrent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Department of Mental Health, Brumunddal, Norway
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research (SERAF), Institute of Clinical Medicine, Oslo University, Oslo, Norway
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Tran AD, Chen R, Nielsen S, Zahra E, Degenhardt L, Santo T, Farrell M, Larance B. Economic analysis of out-of-pocket costs among people in opioid agonist treatment: A cross-sectional survey in three Australian jurisdictions. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 99:103472. [PMID: 34649203 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Out-of-pocket costs for opioid agonist treatment (OAT) constitute a barrier to treatment entry and retention.This study examines OAT clients' total out-of-pocket costs (including dispensing fees, travel costs and OAT-related appointment costs) in different treatment settings (public clinics, community pharmacies, and private clinics). METHODS Cross-sectional survey of 402 people with opioid drug use (OUD) in New South Wales (NSW), Victoria (VIC), Tasmania (TAS), Australia; 266 clients (66%) currently receiving methadone, buprenorphine or buprenorphine-naloxone treatment were asked about dispensing fees, travel costs and OAT-related appointment costs in the past 28 days. A two-part regression model was used to deal with non-normal distributions of costing data (right skew and excess zeros). RESULTS Among clients currently receiving OAT, 87% paid out-of-pocket costs. Among those who paid out-of-pocket costs (N=194), travel costs accounted for more than half of total costs (52%), followed by dispensing fees (44%). The mean monthly total out-of-pocket costs were AU$135 (SD: AU$121) for public clinics, AU$161 (SD: AU$110) to AU$214 (SD: AU$166) for community pharmacies and AU$355 (SD: AU$159) for private clinics. Compared to participants in NSW private clinics, those at public clinics paid one third the total out-of-pocket costs (coefficient = 0.33; 95%CI = 0.23-0.48) and those at NSW, TAS, VIC pharmacies paid approximately half the costs (coefficient = 0.58; 95%CI = 0.42-0.79; coefficient = 0.51; 95%CI = 0.36-0.72; coefficient = 0.47; 95%CI = 0.34-0.66, respectively). People in OAT for more than a year paid half the total out-of-pocket costs, compared with those in OAT less than a year (coefficient = 0.49, 95%CI = 0.31-0.77). CONCLUSIONS Participants in the current study spent one-eighth of their income on out-of-pocket costs associated with OAT representing a substantial financial burden. Total out-of-pocket costs disproportionately affects those who are newer in treatment and receiving fewer unsupervised doses. Considering and addressing total out-of-pocket costs, especially travel costs and dispensing fees, to clients is critical to prevent cost from being a barrier from receiving effective care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh Dam Tran
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Rory Chen
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Suzanne Nielsen
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Emma Zahra
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Thomas Santo
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael Farrell
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Briony Larance
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
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Lagisetty P, Zhang K, Haffajee RL, Lin LA, Goldstick J, Brownlee R, Bohnert A, Larochelle MR. Opioid prescribing history prior to heroin overdose among commercially insured adults. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 212:108061. [PMID: 32428788 PMCID: PMC7768819 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since 2010, heroin-related overdoses have risen sharply, coinciding with policies to restrict access to prescription opioids. It is unknown if patients tapered or discontinued off prescription opioids transitioned to riskier heroin use. This study examined opioid prescribing, including long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) and discontinuation, prior to heroin overdose. METHODS We used retrospective longitudinal data from a national claims database to identify adults with an emergency or inpatient claim for heroin overdose between January 2010 and June 2017. Receipt of opioid prescription, LTOT episodes, and discontinuation of LTOT were measured for the period of one year prior to heroin overdose. RESULTS We identified 3183 individuals (53.2% age 18-25; 70.0% male) with a heroin overdose (incidence rate 4.20 per 100k person years). Nearly half (42.3%) received an opioid prescription in the prior 12 months, and 10.9% had an active opioid prescription in the week prior to overdose. LTOT at any time in the 12 months prior to overdose was uncommon (12.8%) among those with heroin overdoses, especially among individuals 18-25 years old (3.5%, P < 0.001). LTOT discontinuation prior to overdose was also relatively uncommon, experienced by 6.7% of individuals aged 46 and over and 2.5% of individuals aged 18-25 years (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Prior to heroin overdose, prescription opioid use was common, but LTOT discontinuation was uncommon and observed primarily in older individuals with the lowest heroin overdose rates. Further study is needed to determine if these prescribing patterns are associated with increased heroin overdose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Lagisetty
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Center for Clinical Management and Research, Ann Arbor VA Hospital, 2215 Fuller Road, MS 152, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA.
| | - Kun Zhang
- Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC, 4770 Buford Highway, MS F62, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Rebecca L Haffajee
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; RAND Corporation
| | - Lewei Allison Lin
- Center for Clinical Management and Research, Ann Arbor VA Hospital, 2215 Fuller Road, MS 152, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jason Goldstick
- Injury Prevention Center, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Road, Suite B10-G080, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Rebecca Brownlee
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Amy Bohnert
- Center for Clinical Management and Research, Ann Arbor VA Hospital, 2215 Fuller Road, MS 152, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Marc R Larochelle
- Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit at Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, 801 Massachusetts Ave., 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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Dai Z, Abate MA, Long DL, Smith GS, Halki TM, Kraner JC, Mock AR. Quantifying enhanced risk from alcohol and other factors in polysubstance-related deaths. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 313:110352. [PMID: 32590196 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To quantify how alcohol, polysubstance use and other factors influence opioid concentrations in drug-related deaths in West Virginia (WV), United States. METHODS Multiple linear regression models were employed to identify relationships among alcohol, other factors, and the concentrations of four commonly identified opioids (fentanyl, hydrocodone, oxycodone, methadone), accounting for demographic, toxicological and comorbid characteristics in WV drug-related deaths from 2005 to 2018. RESULTS Alcohol concentrations of 0.08% or above were associated with significant reductions in blood concentrations of fentanyl (27.5%), hydrocodone (30.5%) and methadone (32.4%). Significantly lower predicted concentrations of all opioids studied were associated with multiple opioid vs. single opioid presence, with predicted concentration reductions ranging from 13.7% for fentanyl to 65-66% for hydrocodone and oxycodone. Benzodiazepine presence was associated with small, non-statistically significant changes in opioid concentrations, while stimulant presence was associated with statistically significant reductions in hydrocodone and oxycodone concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Co-ingestion of alcohol, multiple opioids or stimulants were associated with significantly decreased predicted concentrations of commonly identified opioids in drug deaths. Further evidence is provided for enhanced risks from polysubstance use with opioids, which has important public health implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Dai
- School of Public Health, West Virginia University, One Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States.
| | - Marie A Abate
- School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, 1124 Health Sciences North, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States
| | - D Leann Long
- School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 327F Ryals Public Health Building, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States
| | - Gordon S Smith
- School of Public Health, West Virginia University, One Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States
| | - Theresa M Halki
- School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, 1124 Health Sciences North, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States
| | - James C Kraner
- West Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, 619 Virginia Street West, Charleston, WV 25302, United States
| | - Allen R Mock
- West Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, 619 Virginia Street West, Charleston, WV 25302, United States
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Baird J, Faul M, Green TC, Howland J, Adams CA, Hodne MJ, Bohlen N, Mello MJ. Evaluation of a Safer Opioid Prescribing Protocol (SOPP) for Patients Being Discharged From a Trauma Service. J Trauma Nurs 2020; 26:113-120. [PMID: 31483766 PMCID: PMC6727973 DOI: 10.1097/jtn.0000000000000435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects on opioid medication prescribing, patient opioid safety education, and prescribing of naloxone following implementation of a Safer Opioid Prescribing Protocol (SOPP) as part of the electronic health record (EHR) system at a Level I trauma center. This was a prospective observational study of the EHR of trauma patients pre- (n = 191) and post-(n = 316) SOPP implementation between 2014 and 2016. At a comparison Level I trauma site not implementing SOPP, EHRs for the same time period were assessed for any historical trends in opioid and naloxone prescribing. After SOPP implementation, the implementation site increased the use of nonnarcotic pain medication, decreased dispensing high opioid dose (≥100 MME [milligram morphine equivalent]), significantly increased the delivery of opioid safety education to patients, and initiated prescribing naloxone. These changes were not found in the comparison site. Opioid prescribing for acute pain can be effectively reduced in a busy trauma setting with a guideline intervention incorporated into an EHR. Guidelines can increase the use of nonnarcotic medications for the treatment of acute pain and increase naloxone coprescription for patients with a higher risk of overdose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janette Baird
- Department of Emergency Medicine (Dr Mello), The Warren Alpert School of Medicine of Brown University (Drs Green and Baird); Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery (Dr Adams and Ms Bohlen), Injury Prevention Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence (Drs Baird and Mello); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia (Dr Faul); Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston Medical Center Injury Prevention Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (Drs Green and Howland); Rhode Island Hospital, University Surgical Associates, Inc., Providence (Ms Hodne); and Department of Health Services, Practice and Policy, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island (Dr Mello)
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10
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Büttner A. Hepatopathien und Drogenkonsum. Rechtsmedizin (Berl) 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00194-019-0310-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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11
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Hickman M, Steer C, Tilling K, Lim AG, Marsden J, Millar T, Strang J, Telfer M, Vickerman P, Macleod J. The impact of buprenorphine and methadone on mortality: a primary care cohort study in the United Kingdom. Addiction 2018; 113:1461-1476. [PMID: 29672985 PMCID: PMC6282737 DOI: 10.1111/add.14188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2017] [Revised: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To estimate whether opioid substitution treatment (OST) with buprenorphine or methadone is associated with a greater reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality (ACM) and opioid drug-related poisoning (DRP) mortality. DESIGN Cohort study with linkage between clinical records from Clinical Practice Research Datalink and mortality register. SETTING UK primary care. PARTICIPANTS A total of 11 033 opioid-dependent patients who received OST from 1998 to 2014, followed-up for 30 410 person-years. MEASUREMENTS Exposure to methadone (17 373, 61%) OST episodes or buprenorphine (9173, 39%) OST episodes. ACM was available for all patients; information on cause of death and DRP was available for 5935 patients (54%) followed-up for 16 363 person-years. Poisson regression modelled mortality by treatment period with an interaction between OST type and treatment period (first 4 weeks on OST, rest of time off OST, first 4 weeks off OST, rest of time out of OST censored at 12 months) to test whether ACM or DRP differed between methadone and buprenorphine. Inverse probability weights were included to adjust for confounding and balance characteristics of patients prescribed methadone or buprenorphine. FINDINGS ACM and DRP rates were 1.93 and 0.53 per 100 person-years, respectively. DRP was elevated during the first 4 weeks of OST [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.93 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.97-3.82], the first 4 weeks off OST (IRR = 8.15, 95% CI = 5.45-12.19) and the rest of time out of OST (IRR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.47-3.09) compared with mortality risk from 4 weeks to end of treatment. Patients on buprenorphine compared with methadone had lower ACM rates in each treatment period. After adjustment, there was evidence of a lower DRP risk for patients on buprenorphine compared with methadone at treatment initiation (IRR = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.01-0.48) and rest of time on treatment (IRR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.17-0.79). Treatment duration (mean and median) was shorter on buprenorphine than methadone (173 and 40 versus 363 and 111, respectively). Model estimates suggest that there was a low probability that methadone or buprenorphine reduced the number of DRP in the population: 28 and 21%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In UK general medical practice, opioid substitution treatment with buprenorphine is associated with a lower risk of all-cause and drug-related poisoning mortality than methadone. In the population, buprenorphine is unlikely to give greater overall protection because of the relatively shorter duration of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical SchoolUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - Colin Steer
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical SchoolUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - Kate Tilling
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical SchoolUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - Aaron G. Lim
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical SchoolUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - John Marsden
- Addictions Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Tim Millar
- Centre for Mental Health and Safety, School of Health SciencesThe University of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - John Strang
- Addictions Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | | | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical SchoolUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - John Macleod
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical SchoolUniversity of BristolBristolUK
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Abstract
The prescribing of opioid analgesics for pain management-particularly for management of chronic noncancer pain (CNCP)-has increased more than fourfold in the United States since the mid-1990s. Yet there is mounting evidence that opioids have only limited effectiveness in the management of CNCP, and the increased availability of prescribed opioids has contributed to upsurges in opioid-related addiction cases and overdose deaths. These concerns have led to critical revisiting and modification of prior pain management practices (e.g., guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), but the much-needed changes in clinical practice will be facilitated by a better understanding of the pharmacology and behavioral effects of opioids that underlie both their therapeutic effects (analgesia) and their adverse effects (addiction and overdose). With these goals in mind, this review first presents an overview of the contemporary problems associated with opioid management of CNCP and the related public health issues of opioid diversion, overdose, and addiction. It then discusses the pharmacology underlying the therapeutic and main adverse effects of opioids and its implications for clinical management of CNCP within the framework of recent clinical guidelines for prescribing opioids in the management of CNCP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Volkow
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, Rockville, Maryland 20852;
| | - Helene Benveniste
- Department of Anesthesiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510;
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Treatment for opioid use and outcomes in older adults: a systematic literature review. Drug Alcohol Depend 2018; 182:48-57. [PMID: 29136566 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Revised: 10/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Historically, issues relating to problem substance use among older people have received little attention, and have only recently been recognised. METHODS A literature review of relevant material was conducted in November 2015 to assess current outcome research among older adults treated for opioid dependence. Multiple electronic databases were searched and results were supplemented by grey literature, library and online searches, and relevant references within selected articles. Retrieved articles were assessed for relevance against the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results were reviewed to identify major findings and recommendations. RESULTS A total of 76 titles were included in the review. Most research conducted on older adults involves alcohol and prescription medications. Older drug users are growing in number and have a unique profile, with many presenting for treatment for the first time aged 50-70 years. Findings reveal (1) opioid treatment numbers are decreasing, however the average age of treatment admissions is increasing, (2) there is no consensus on what old is (3) two distinct types of older opioid substance users exist (early/late onset), (4) older clients achieve better treatment outcomes than younger counterparts, and (5) older women achieve better treatment outcomes than men. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that little is known about treatment outcomes among older people. Problematic drug use (of which opioids make up the largest proportion) had been incorrectly assumed to end as patients age. Defining an age limit for 'older' is important. Addiction and healthcare services must anticipate and prepare for increased demand by this group.
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Mijatović V, Samojlik I, Petković S, Vukmirović S, Uvelin A, Dickov A. Cardiovascular effects of methadone and concomitant use of diazepam during methadone maintenance treatment induction: low concentration risk. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2017; 16:1323-1328. [PMID: 28934555 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2017.1382470] [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: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim is to evaluate the role of diazepam concentrations in development of low-concentration-methadone-associated QTc prolongation in patients with opioid use disorder during methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) induction. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Individuals with addiction disorder on MMT were studied before the beginning of MMT and after one and six months of MMT. Serum concentrations of methadone, diazepam, electrolytes and ECG were analyzed. RESULTS Thirty patients were enrolled. The mean methadone concentration at time points was 177 ± 119 ng/ml and 343 ± 182 ng/ml, while the mean diazepam concentration was 561 ± 437 ng/ml and 1045 ± 933 ng/ml. The QTc interval before the introduction of MMT, after 1 and 6 months of MMT were 412 ± 27 ms, 425 ± 18 ms and 424 ± 15 ms, respectively, showing statistically significant increase in the length of QTc interval after 1 and 6 months of MMT. Statistically significant correlation between the concentration of methadone and QTc interval length at observed time points (R2 = 0.239, p = 0.018; R2 = 0.513, p = 0.006) was shown, and it remained so if the concentration of diazepam was included (R2 = 0.347, p = 0.026, R2 = 0.513, p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS The prolongation of QTc below the risk threshold in low methadone therapeutic doses has been recorded and concomitant use of diazepam could be a co-factor in such issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vesna Mijatović
- a Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine , University of Novi Sad , Novi Sad , Serbia
| | - Isidora Samojlik
- a Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine , University of Novi Sad , Novi Sad , Serbia
| | - Stojan Petković
- b Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine , University of Novi Sad , Novi Sad , Serbia
| | - Saša Vukmirović
- a Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine , University of Novi Sad , Novi Sad , Serbia
| | - Arsen Uvelin
- c Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine , University of Novi Sad , Novi Sad , Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Dickov
- d Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine , University of Novi Sad , Novi Sad , Serbia
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Marsden J, Stillwell G, Jones H, Cooper A, Eastwood B, Farrell M, Lowden T, Maddalena N, Metcalfe C, Shaw J, Hickman M. Does exposure to opioid substitution treatment in prison reduce the risk of death after release? A national prospective observational study in England. Addiction 2017; 112:1408-1418. [PMID: 28160345 DOI: 10.1111/add.13779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Revised: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS People with opioid use disorder (OUD) in prison face an acute risk of death after release. We estimated whether prison-based opioid substitution treatment (OST) reduces this risk. DESIGN Prospective observational cohort study using prison health care, national community drug misuse treatment and deaths registers. SETTING Recruitment at 39 adult prisons in England (32 male; seven female) accounting for 95% of OST treatment in England during study planning. PARTICIPANTS Adult prisoners diagnosed with OUD (recruited: September 2010-August 2013; first release: September 2010; last release: October 2014; follow-up to February 2016; n = 15 141 in the risk set). INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR At release, participants were classified as OST exposed (n = 8645) or OST unexposed (n = 6496). The OST unexposed group did not receive OST, or had been withdrawn, or had a low dose. MEASUREMENTS Primary outcome: all-cause mortality (ACM) in the first 4 weeks. SECONDARY OUTCOMES drug-related poisoning (DRP) deaths in the first 4 weeks; ACM and DRP mortality after 4 weeks to 1 year; admission to community drug misuse treatment in the first 4 weeks. Unadjusted and adjusted Cox regression models (covariates: sex, age, drug injecting, problem alcohol use, use of benzodiazepines, cocaine, prison transfer and admission to community treatment), tested difference in mortality rates and community treatment uptake. FINDINGS During the first 4 weeks after prison release there were 24 ACM deaths: six in the OST exposed group and 18 in the OST unexposed group [mortality rate 0.93 per 100 person-years (py) versus 3.67 per 100 py; hazard ratio (HR) = 0.25; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.10-0.64]. There were 18 DRP deaths: OST exposed group mortality rate 0.47 per 100 py versus 3.06 per 100 py in the OST unexposed group (HR = 0.15; 95% CI = 0.04-0.53). There was no group difference in mortality risk after the first month. The OST exposed group was more likely to enter drug misuse treatment in the first month post-release (odds ratio 2.47, 95% CI = 2.31-2.65). The OST mortality protective effect on ACM and DRP mortality risk was not attenuated by demographic, overdose risk factors, prison transfer or community treatment (fully adjusted HR = 0.25; 95% CI = 0.09-0.64 and HR = 0.15; 95% CI = 0.04-0.52, respectively). CONCLUSIONS In an English national study, prison-based opioid substitution therapy was associated with a 75% reduction in all-cause mortality and an 85% reduction in fatal drug-related poisoning in the first month after release.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Marsden
- Addictions Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Garry Stillwell
- Addictions Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Hayley Jones
- School of Social and Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Alisha Cooper
- Alcohol, Drug and Tobacco Division, Health and Wellbeing Directorate, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Brian Eastwood
- Alcohol, Drug and Tobacco Division, Health and Wellbeing Directorate, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Michael Farrell
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tim Lowden
- Alcohol, Drug and Tobacco Division, Health and Wellbeing Directorate, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Nino Maddalena
- Alcohol, Drug and Tobacco Division, Health and Wellbeing Directorate, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Chris Metcalfe
- School of Social and Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jenny Shaw
- Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Matthew Hickman
- School of Social and Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Horton M, McDonald R, Green TC, Nielsen S, Strang J, Degenhardt L, Larney S. A mapping review of take-home naloxone for people released from correctional settings. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2017; 46:7-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Roxburgh A, Darke S, Salmon AM, Dobbins T, Jauncey M. Frequency and severity of non-fatal opioid overdoses among clients attending the Sydney Medically Supervised Injecting Centre. Drug Alcohol Depend 2017; 176:126-132. [PMID: 28535454 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Revised: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmaceutical opioid overdose rates have increased in recent years. The current study aimed to compare rates per 1000 injections of non-fatal overdose after heroin or oxycodone injection, and their comparative clinical severity. METHODS Analysis of prospectively collected data from the Sydney Medically Supervised Injecting Centre (MSIC). Severity of overdose was measured using the Glasgow Coma Scale, oxygen saturation levels, and the administration of naloxone. RESULTS Heroin overdoses occurred at three times the rate of oxycodone overdoses (12.7 v 4.1 per 1000 injections). Heroin overdoses appeared to be more severe than oxycodone overdoses, with higher levels of compromised consciousness (31 v 18%) and severe respiratory depression (67 v 48%), but there were no differences in naloxone doses (20 v 17%). Concurrent use of other depressants at the time of overdose was also associated with compromised consciousness, and the need for naloxone. CONCLUSIONS Heroin overdoses occurred at a greater rate than oxycodone overdoses, and had more severe clinical indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Roxburgh
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Shane Darke
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Allison M Salmon
- Uniting Sydney Medically Supervised Injecting Centre, Kings Cross, Sydney, NSW 1340, Australia
| | - Timothy Dobbins
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Marianne Jauncey
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Uniting Sydney Medically Supervised Injecting Centre, Kings Cross, Sydney, NSW 1340, Australia
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Alinejad S, Ghaemi K, Abdollahi M, Mehrpour O. Nephrotoxicity of methadone: a systematic review. SPRINGERPLUS 2016; 5:2087. [PMID: 28018795 PMCID: PMC5148752 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-3757-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Background Methadone is commonly administered for chronic pain relief and treatment of opioid dependence. Concurrent with its increased consumption, toxicities and fatalities have increased. One of the adverse effects of opioid analgesics, including methadone, is that of nephrotoxicity. Opioids can have an effect on renal function through several different mechanisms. Methods We searched common bibliographical databases for the terms methadone, toxicity, poisoning, kidney, renal, and nephrotoxicity and summarize our findings in this review. Results Methadone can have both direct and indirect effects on the kidney. These effects include rhabdomyolysis (leading to acute kidney injury), volumetric changes, renal lipidosis and amyloidosis, kidney growth during pregnancy, and kidney transplant rejection. Conclusion Improved understanding of the effects of methadone on kidney function can promote safer and more confident use of the drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Alinejad
- Medical Toxicology and Drug Abuse Research Center (MTDRC), Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Moallem Avenue, Birjand, 9713643138 Iran
| | - Kazem Ghaemi
- Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Research Centre, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran ; Department of Neurosurgery, Birjand University of Medical Science, Birjand, Iran
| | - Mohammad Abdollahi
- Toxicology and Diseases Group, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Omid Mehrpour
- Medical Toxicology and Drug Abuse Research Center (MTDRC), Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Moallem Avenue, Birjand, 9713643138 Iran
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Jerkeman A, Håkansson A, Rylance R, Wagner P, Alanko Blomé M, Björkman P. Death from liver disease in a cohort of injecting opioid users in a Swedish city in relation to registration for opioid substitution therapy. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016; 36:424-431. [PMID: 27241955 DOI: 10.1111/dar.12425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Revised: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Injecting opioid users are at elevated risk of death. Although liver disease (especially hepatitis C) is common, its impact on mortality is low in active injectors. Because opioid substitution therapy (OST) reduces the risk of death from directly drug related causes, we hypothesised that the proportion of liver-related deaths would increase in subjects receiving OST. We investigated liver-related mortality in a cohort of injecting opioid users attending a needle exchange program (NEP) in a Swedish city in relation to OST exposure. DESIGN AND METHODS Participants enrolled in the NEP between 1987 and 2011 with available national identity numbers, and registered use of opioids, were included. Linkage based on national identity numbers was performed with national registers for death, emigration and prescription of OST. Participants were categorised as non-OST recipients until the registered date of first OST prescription, and hence as OST recipients. Hazard ratios were calculated by Cox regression for overall and liver-related mortality in relation to OST, with OST as a time-dependent variable. RESULTS Among 4494 NEP participants, 1488 opioid users were identified; 711/1488 had been prescribed OST. During a follow-up period of 15 546 person-years 368 deaths occurred. Sixteen deaths were caused by liver disease; 10 of these occurred in OST recipients. The risk of liver-related death was significantly increased in OST receiving participants (hazard ratio 3.08, 95% confidence interval [1.09, 8.68], P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Liver related mortality among opioid users was significantly elevated in OST recipients, showing the long-term importance of chronic liver disease in this population. [Jerkeman A, Håkansson A, Rylance R, Wagner P, Alanko Blomé M, Björkman P. Death from liver disease in a cohort of injecting opioid users in a Swedish city in relation to registration for opioid substitution therapy. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;36:424-431].
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Jerkeman
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Section for Infectious Diseases, Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | | | - Rebecca Rylance
- Southern Swedish National Competence Center for Registers, Department of Orthopedics, Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Philippe Wagner
- Southern Swedish National Competence Center for Registers, Department of Orthopedics, Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Marianne Alanko Blomé
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Section for Infectious Diseases, Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Per Björkman
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Section for Infectious Diseases, Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
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Manhapra A, Quinones L, Rosenheck R. Characteristics of veterans receiving buprenorphine vs. methadone for opioid use disorder nationally in the Veterans Health Administration. Drug Alcohol Depend 2016; 160:82-9. [PMID: 26804898 PMCID: PMC4767635 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.12.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Revised: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The advent of buprenorphine as an alternative to methadone has dramatically shifted the landscape of opioid agonist therapy (OAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD). However, there is limited US national level data describing thedifferences between patients who are prescribed these two OAT options. METHODS From veterans with OUD diagnosis who used Veterans Health Administration services in 2012, we identified 3 mutually exclusive groups: those who received (1) buprenorphine only (n=5,670); (2) methadone only (n=6,252); or (3) both buprenorphine and methadone in the same year (n=2513). We calculated the bi-varate effect size differences (risk ratios and Cohen's d) forcharacteristics that differentiated these groups. Logistic regression analysis was then used to identify factors independently differentiating the groups. RESULTS Ten year increment in age (OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.64-0.70), urban residence (OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.25-0.33), and black race (OR 0.39; 95% CI 0.35-0.43) were strongly and negatively associated with odds of receiving buprenorphine compared to methadone, while medical and psychiatric comorbidities or receipt of other psychiatric medications did not demonstrate substantial differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS Differences between veterans receiving buprenorphine or methadone based OAT seems to be largely shaped by demographic characteristics rather than medical or psychiatric or service use characteristics. A clearer understanding of the reasons for racial differences could be helpful in assuring that black OUD patients are not denied the opportunity to receive buprenorphine if that is their preference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Manhapra
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States; VA New England Mental Illness Research and Education Center, West Haven, CT, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States.
| | - Lantie Quinones
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School & McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, United States
| | - Robert Rosenheck
- VA New England Mental Illness Research and Education Center, West Haven, CT, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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Leece P, Cavacuiti C, Macdonald EM, Gomes T, Kahan M, Srivastava A, Steele L, Luo J, Mamdani MM, Juurlink DN. Predictors of Opioid-Related Death During Methadone Therapy. J Subst Abuse Treat 2015; 57:30-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2015.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Revised: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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White M, Burton R, Darke S, Eastwood B, Knight J, Millar T, Musto V, Marsden J. Fatal opioid poisoning: a counterfactual model to estimate the preventive effect of treatment for opioid use disorder in England. Addiction 2015; 110:1321-9. [PMID: 25941025 DOI: 10.1111/add.12971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2014] [Revised: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIM A counterfactual model was used to estimate the number of fatal opioid-related poisonings prevented by public treatment services for opioid use disorder (OUD) in England between April 2008 and March 2011. METHODS Patient OUD treatment episode data recorded by the English National Drug Treatment Monitoring System were linked to data on opioid deaths recorded by the Office for National Statistics. The source population was the official estimate of non-medical opioid users (aged 15-64 years; approximately 260 000 each year). The target population was all individuals (aged 15-64 years) treated for OUD in the study period (n = 220 665). The outcome measure was fatal opioid-related poisoning (opioid death). The opioid death rate [per 100 person-years (PY)] and mortality rate ratios (MRR) were computed for study year, age group (15-24, 25-34, 35-64 years) and for three treatment-related states: time spent 'prior to treatment', 'during treatment' and 'after treatment'. RESULTS Between April 2008 and March 2011, there were 3731 opioid deaths in the study: 741 during treatment (0.20 per 100 PY; referent category); 2722 prior to treatment [0.77 per 100 PY; MRR = 3.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.18-4.44]; and 268 after treatment (0.41 per 100 PY; MRR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.64-2.41). By counterfactual estimation, national OUD treatment services prevented an average of 880 opioid deaths each year (95% CI = 702-1084). CONCLUSIONS Between April 2008 and March 2011, a counterfactual model shows that the English public treatment system for opioid use disorder prevented an average of 880 deaths each year from opioid-related poisoning. Counterfactual models of mortality prevention can be used for outcome and performance monitoring of substance use disorder treatment systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin White
- Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco Division, Health and Wellbeing Directorate, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Robyn Burton
- Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco Division, Health and Wellbeing Directorate, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Shane Darke
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Brian Eastwood
- Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco Division, Health and Wellbeing Directorate, Public Health England, London, UK.,Addictions Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jon Knight
- Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco Division, Health and Wellbeing Directorate, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Tim Millar
- Centre for Mental Health and Risk, Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Virginia Musto
- Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco Division, Health and Wellbeing Directorate, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - John Marsden
- Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco Division, Health and Wellbeing Directorate, Public Health England, London, UK.,Addictions Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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23
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Preoperative evaluation for coronary atherosclerosis with computed tomography angiography in intravenous drug users: an emerging indication in the face of a growing threat. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2015. [PMID: 26208684 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-015-0719-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to describe the application of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in evaluation of patients with history of intravenous drug use (IDU). An IRB approved retrospective review was performed of all patients who had a prior history of IDU and presenting with endocarditis who had undergone CCTA. Demographic characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors were collected. In addition, we reviewed CCTA reports for dosimetric parameters, calcium score, and atherosclerotic burden. There were 32 patients (25 males) included in this study with a mean age of 38 ± 10.8 years. The average BMI for the study group was 26.5 ± 4.9. 44 % of patients had evidence of atherosclerotic disease on coronary CTA. Mean calcium score was 175 ± 487. Median total exam effective dose was 4.8 mSv (range: 3.3-7.3 mSv). In spite of their relatively young age and BMI at the upper limits of normal, patients with history of IDU have atherosclerosis and coronary CTA can be utilized to screen these patients and may be helpful for risk stratification prior to noncoronary surgical procedures. Given the recent rise in IDU, this may become a growing indication for CCTA.
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24
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Brunet L, Moodie EEM, Cox J, Gill J, Cooper C, Walmsley S, Rachlis A, Hull M, Klein MB. Opioid use and risk of liver fibrosis in HIV/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients in Canada. HIV Med 2015; 17:36-45. [PMID: 26140381 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.12279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Opioid use and opioid-related mortality have increased dramatically since the 1990s in North America. The effect of opioids on the liver is incompletely understood. Some studies have suggested that opioids cause liver damage and others have failed to show any harm. HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected persons may be particularly vulnerable to factors increasing liver fibrosis. We aimed to describe opioid use in an HIV/HCV-coinfected population in Canada and to estimate the association between opioid use and liver fibrosis. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive analysis of the Canadian Co-infection Cohort Study data to characterize opioid use. We then conducted a longitudinal analysis to assess the average change in aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) score associated with opioid use using a generalized estimating equation with linear regression. We assessed the progression to significant liver fibrosis (APRI ≥ 1.5) associated with opioid use with pooled logistic regression. RESULTS In the 6 months preceding cohort entry, 32% of the participants had received an opioid prescription, 28% had used opioids illicitly and 18% had both received a prescription and used opioids illicitly. Neither prescribed nor illicit opioid use was associated with a change in the median APRI score [exp(β) 0.99 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.82, 1.12) and exp(β) 0.95 (95% CI 0.81, 1.10), respectively] or with faster progression to liver fibrosis [hazard odds ratio (HOR) 1.20 (95% CI 0.73, 1.67) and HOR 1.09 (95% CI 0.63, 1.55), respectively]. CONCLUSIONS Although opioids were commonly used both legally and illegally in our cohort, we were unable to demonstrate a negative impact on liver fibrosis progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Brunet
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - E E M Moodie
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - J Cox
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Chronic Viral Illness Service, Montreal Chest Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - J Gill
- Southern Alberta HIV Clinic, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - C Cooper
- The Ottawa Hospital-General Campus, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - S Walmsley
- CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - A Rachlis
- CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Sunnybrook & Women's College Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - M Hull
- CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - M B Klein
- Chronic Viral Illness Service, Montreal Chest Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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25
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Chen IM, Huang CLC, Yeh BJ, Chien YL. Health service utilization of heroin abusers: a retrospective cohort study. Addict Behav 2015; 45:281-6. [PMID: 25747796 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.01.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Revised: 11/28/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
AIMS This study aimed to determine the patterns of medical service utilization among heroin users and to identify the factors associated with the frequency of utilization. METHODS We conducted a retrospective/prospective cohort study of 789 heroin-using adults in a catchment area, collecting data on their usage of medical care, including inpatient care, emergency visits, and outpatient care, in a 2-year observation period. We interviewed and reviewed the medical records of 789 heroin users in a methadone clinic of a general hospital in a rural area of Taiwan. The demographic data, records of service use, diagnoses, and information on viral infection status from Jan. 1, 2007 to Dec. 31, 2008 were collected. Most patients were middle-aged and unemployed, had a basic educational level, and began their first heroin use in their twenties. RESULTS The health service utilization of heroin users was mostly for infectious diseases, orthopedic conditions, and gastroenterological disorders mainly due to blood-borne or local infections and traumatic injury. Heroin users utilize fewer outpatient or inpatient services, but more emergency care than the general public. The major correlates of inpatient and emergency service utilization were HIV status and education level. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that integrated outpatient services may help to enhance medical service accessibility and adherence, and also imply the necessity of putting more effort into promoting health management and safe behaviors in heroin users, particularly the lower-educated addicts.
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Affiliation(s)
- I-Ming Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan; Institute of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
| | - Charles Lung-Cheng Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Chi Mei Medical Center, Taiwan; Department of Social Worker, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Taiwan
| | - Bao-Juan Yeh
- (e)Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital Yun-Lin Branch, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ling Chien
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan; (f)Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan.
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26
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Pan CH, Jhong JR, Tsai SY, Lin SK, Chen CC, Kuo CJ. Excessive suicide mortality and risk factors for suicide among patients with heroin dependence. Drug Alcohol Depend 2014; 145:224-30. [PMID: 25456334 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Revised: 10/21/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mortality risk is high among individuals dependent on heroin, and suicide is a severe consequence of long-term heroin use. We estimated the incidence of suicide mortality and its risk factors in a large Asian cohort with heroin dependence. METHODS A consecutive series of 2750 inpatients dependent on heroin admitted to a psychiatric center in northern Taiwan between 1990 and 2010 were retrospectively enrolled as the study cohort. These patients were linked to the Taiwan National Mortality Database to obtain each mortality event. We determined the Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) for each cause of death. Among the deceased, 69 deaths were due to suicide (cases); 138 controls were randomly selected using risk-set density sampling based on a nested case-control design. We collected clinical information from subjects' medical records. Multivariate conditional logistic regression was employed to explore the correlates of suicide mortality. RESULTS The findings showed a 7.9-fold SMR for all-cause mortality among heroin users compared to the general population while the SMR for suicide mortality was 16.2. Multivariate analysis showed that suicide attempt as the reason for the index admission (adjusted risk ratio [RR] = 4.29, p = 0.035) and depressive syndrome anytime during life (adjusted RR = 2.61, p = 0.019) were associated with the risk of suicide mortality. CONCLUSIONS Individuals dependent on heroin are more likely to die of suicide compared to the general population. We recommend that clinical psychiatric staff carefully gather information related to the identified risk factors to prevent suicide among heroin users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Hung Pan
- Taipei City Psychiatric Center, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychology, National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Rong Jhong
- Taipei City Psychiatric Center, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Ying Tsai
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Psychiatric Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Ku Lin
- Taipei City Psychiatric Center, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Psychiatric Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chiao-Chicy Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, Mackay Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chian-Jue Kuo
- Taipei City Psychiatric Center, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Psychiatric Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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27
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Darke S. Opioid overdose and the power of old myths: what we thought we knew, what we do know and why it matters. Drug Alcohol Rev 2014; 33:109-14. [PMID: 24589077 DOI: 10.1111/dar.12108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shane Darke
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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28
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Arain A, Robaeys G. Eligibility of persons who inject drugs for treatment of hepatitis C virus infection. World J Gastroenterol 2014; 20:12722-12733. [PMID: 25278674 PMCID: PMC4177459 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i36.12722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2013] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In this decade, an increase is expected in end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma, most commonly caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Although people who inject drugs (PWID) are the major source for HCV infection, they were excluded from antiviral treatments until recently. Nowadays there is incontrovertible evidence in favor of treating these patients, and substitution therapy and active substance use are no longer contraindications for antiviral treatment. The viral clearance in PWID after HCV antiviral treatment with interferon or pegylated interferon combined with ribavirin is comparable to the viral clearance in non-substance users. Furthermore, multidisciplinary approaches to delivering treatment to PWID are advised, and their treatment should be considered on an individualized basis. To prevent the spread of HCV in the PWID community, recent active PWID are eligible for treatment in combination with needle exchange programs and substitution therapy. As the rate of HCV reinfection is low after HCV antiviral treatment, there is no need to withhold HCV treatment due to concerns about reinfection alone. Despite the advances in treatment efficacies and data supporting their success, HCV assessment of PWID and initiation of antiviral treatment remains low. However, the proportion of PWID assessed and treated for HCV is increasing, which can be further enhanced by understanding the barriers to and facilitators of HCV care. Removing stigmatization and implementing peer support and group treatment strategies, in conjunction with greater involvement by nurse educators/practitioners, will promote greater treatment seeking and adherence by PWID. Moreover, screening can be facilitated by noninvasive methods for detecting HCV antibodies and assessing liver fibrosis stages. Recently, HCV clearance has become a major endpoint in the war against drugs for the Global Commission on Drug Policy. This review highlights the most recent evidence concerning HCV infection and treatment strategies in PWID.
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29
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Reece AS, Hulse GK. Impact of lifetime opioid exposure on arterial stiffness and vascular age: cross-sectional and longitudinal studies in men and women. BMJ Open 2014; 4:e004521. [PMID: 24889849 PMCID: PMC4054659 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterise and compare the potentiation of arterial stiffness and vascular ageing by opioids in men and women. DESIGN Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of 576 clinical controls and 687 opioid-dependent patients (ODP) on 710 and 1305 occasions, respectively, over a total of 2382 days (6.52 years), 2006-2011. Methodology Radial pulse wave analysis with Atcor SphygmoCor system (Sydney). SETTING Primary care. CONTROLS General practice patients with non-cardiovascular disorders, and university student controls. ODP: Patients undergoing clinical management of their opioid dependence. CONTROLS had lower chronological ages (CAs) than ODP (30.0±0.5 vs 34.5±0.3, mean±SEM, p<0.0001). 69.6% and 67.7% participants were men, and 16% and 92.3% were smokers (p<0.0001) for controls and ODP, respectively. 86.3%, 10.3% and 3.4% of ODP were treated with buprenorphine (6.98±0.21 mg), methadone (63.04±4.01 mg) or implant naltrexone, respectively. Body mass index (BMI) was depressed in ODP. INTERVENTIONS Nil. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES Vascular Reference Age (RA) and the ratio of vascular age to chronological age (RA/CA). SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Arterial stiffness including Augmentation Index. RESULTS After BMI adjustment, RA in ODP was higher as a function of CA and of time (both p<0.05). Modelled mean RA in control and ODP was 35.6 and 36.3 years (+1.97%) in men, and 34.5 and 39.2 years (+13.43%) in women, respectively. Changes in RA and major arterial stiffness indices were worse in women both as a factor (p = 0.0036) and in interaction with CA (p = 0.0040). Quadratic, cubic and quartic functions of opioid exposure duration outperformed linear models with RA/CA over CA and over time. The opioid dose-response relationship persisted longitudinally after multiple adjustments from p=0.0013 in men and p=0.0073 in women. CONCLUSIONS Data show that lifetime opioid exposure, an interactive cardiovascular risk factor, particularly in women, is related to linear, quadratic, cubic and quartic functions of treatment duration and is consistent with other literature of accelerated ageing in patients with OD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Stuart Reece
- School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Gary Kenneth Hulse
- School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
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30
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Modest increase in risk of acute coronary syndrome associated with morphine use in cancer patients: A population-based nested case-control study. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2014; 18:295-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2014.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2013] [Revised: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Impact of opioid pharmacotherapy on arterial stiffness and vascular ageing: cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Cardiovasc Toxicol 2014; 13:254-66. [PMID: 23456431 DOI: 10.1007/s12012-013-9204-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Whilst there is a small literature on the cardiovascular toxicity of opiates, there is no detailed antemortem data on non-cardiovascular patient populations. A cross-sectional and longitudinal naturalistic observational study was performed comparing methadone (N = 71)-, buprenorphine (N = 593)-, naltrexone (N = 23)-treated patients with controls (N = 576) on indices of arterial stiffness and vascular age by Pulse Wave Analysis in primary care, 2006-2011. Controls were younger 29.96 ± 0.45 (mean ± SEM) vs. 34.00 ± 0.34-39.22 ± 1.11 years (all P < 0.005) and had fewer smokers (15.9 % vs. 86.9 %-92.96 %, all P < 0.0001). The sex ratio was similar (69.6 vs. 67.7 % male, P = 0.46). These baseline differences were controlled for by multiple regression. Linear regression of vascular age, central augmentation pressure, central augmentation index and other measures against chronologic age showed significant protective effects by treatment group against the treatment standard of methadone, in both sexes in additive and interactive models (all P < 0.02). Interactive terms in treatment type remained significant including all conventional risk factors accounting for differing opiate exposures. The principal findings from multiple regression were confirmed in the time series analysis up to 5 years by repeated measures nonlinear regression. These studies show that the deleterious impact of chronic opiate pharmacotherapy on vascular age and arterial stiffness varies significantly by treatment type.
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32
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Reece AS. Absolute and age-dependent elevations of serum calcium and phosphate and their products in clinical opiate dependence. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2014. [DOI: 10.3109/14659891.2012.754507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Jerkeman A, Westin J, Lagging M, Norkrans G, Lidman C, Frimand J, Simonsberg C, Kakko J, Widell A, Björkman P. Chronic hepatitis C in Swedish subjects receiving opiate substitution therapy—Factors associated with advanced fibrosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 46:340-7. [DOI: 10.3109/00365548.2013.879994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Kielland KB, Delaveris GJM, Rogde S, Eide TJ, Amundsen EJ, Dalgard O. Liver fibrosis progression at autopsy in injecting drug users infected by hepatitis C: a longitudinal long-term cohort study. J Hepatol 2014; 60:260-6. [PMID: 24096048 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2013.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Revised: 09/24/2013] [Accepted: 09/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS There is a paucity of unbiased data on the natural history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in injecting drug users (IDUs). The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of developing advanced fibrosis associated with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection among injecting drug users (IDUs) who underwent an autopsy. METHODS A longitudinal cohort design was applied, in which the stage of liver fibrosis in anti-HCV positive IDUs with or without chronic HCV infection was assessed in liver tissue from autopsies performed up to 35 years after HCV exposure. The cohort originated from 864 IDUs consecutively admitted for drug abuse treatment 1970-1984. Stored sera, mostly drawn at the time of admission for drug treatment, were available in 635 subjects. 220 out of 523 anti-HCV positive subjects had died before 2009. Liver tissue from autopsies was available from 102/220 subjects, of which 61 were HCV RNA positive. Liver sections were classified according to METAVIR scores for fibrosis. Two pathologists, both blinded for serologic results, scored sections of liver tissue. RESULTS Among HCV RNA positive subjects 16.4% (10/61) had septal fibrosis (F3) or cirrhosis (F4) compared to 2.4% (1/41) among anti HCV positive/HCV RNA negative subjects (p=0.026). Of 18 HCV RNA positive subjects autopsied <15 years after HCV exposure none had F3 or F4. Among subjects autopsied >25 years after exposure 35% (6/17) had F3-F4. CONCLUSIONS Among IDUs chronically infected by HCV, 1/3 developed septal fibrosis or cirrhosis 25 years or more after exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Knut Boe Kielland
- National Centre for Dual Diagnosis, Innlandet Hospital Trust, 2381 Brumunddal, Norway; Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research, University of Oslo, Norway.
| | - Gerd Jorunn Møller Delaveris
- Department of Forensic Pathology and Clinical Forensic Medicine, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 4404 Nydalen, N-0403 Oslo, Norway; Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Sidsel Rogde
- Department of Forensic Pathology and Clinical Forensic Medicine, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 4404 Nydalen, N-0403 Oslo, Norway; Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Tor Jacob Eide
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, PO Box 4950 Nydalen, N-0424 Oslo, Norway; Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Ellen J Amundsen
- Norwegian Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research, PO Box 565 Sentrum, N-0105 Oslo, Norway
| | - Olav Dalgard
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Akershus University Hospital, N-1478 Lørenskog, Norway; Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
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Origer A, Lopes da Costa S, Baumann M. Opiate- and cocaine-related fatal overdoses in Luxembourg from 1985 to 2011: a study on gender differences. Eur Addict Res 2014; 20:87-93. [PMID: 24192492 DOI: 10.1159/000355170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2013] [Accepted: 08/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM We analysed gender differences in national fatal overdose (FOD) cases related to opiates and cocaine use between 1985 and 2011 (n = 340). METHODS Cross-examination of national data from law enforcement and drug use surveillance sources and of forensic evidence. Bivariate and logistic regression analysis of male/female differences according to sociodemographics, forensic evidence and drug use trajectories. RESULTS The burden of deaths caused by FOD on the general national mortality was higher for men (PMR/100=0.55) compared with women (PMR/100=0.34). Compared with their male peers, women were younger at the time of death (t=3.274; p=0.001) and showed shorter drug use careers (t=2.228; p=0.028). Heroin use was recorded more frequently in first drug offences of female victims (AOR=6.59; 95% CI 2.97-14.63) and according to forensic evidence, psychotropic prescription drugs were detected to a higher degree in females (AOR=2.019; 95% CI 1.065-3.827). CONCLUSION The time window between the onset of illicit drug use and its fatal outcome revealed to be shorter for women versus men included in our study. Early intervention in female drug users, routine involvement of first-line healthcare providers and increased attention to use of poly- and psychotropic prescription drugs might contribute to prevent premature drug-related death and reduce gender differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Origer
- Drug Coordination Office, Ministry of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
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36
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Reece AS, Hulse GK. Duration of opiate exposure as a determinant of arterial stiffness and vascular age in male opiate dependence: a longitudinal study. J Clin Pharm Ther 2013; 39:158-67. [PMID: 24329809 DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.12121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2013] [Accepted: 11/20/2013] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE Despite intriguing initial and associational studies, there remains little research on opiate-related arterial dysfunction and no longitudinal studies. As opiates act potently via P16INK4A/CDKN2A identified on GWAS screens, and as arterial ageing is a surrogate for organismal ageing, this area is of general concern. METHODS Thirty-eight male controls compared with 198 opiate-dependent male patients were studied longitudinally using SphygmoCor pulse wave analysis. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Healthy male controls and opiate-dependent male patients were studied on 125 and 625 occasions, respectively. The mean (±SEM) chronological age (CA) was 42·32 ± 2·22 for controls and 35·04 ± 0·61 for opiate dependent (P = 0·0029). 94·4% and 13·2% smoked tobacco (P < 0·0001). Controlling for BMI and CA, there was a significant time: addictive status interaction for vascular age (P = 0·0127) and central augmentation pressure and index (both P < 0·02). Central systolic and diastolic pressures were also worse over time by addictive status (P < 0·005). At repeated measures multiple regression adjusted for classical risk factors, opiate dose and duration of opiate use remained significant. The dose-duration effect was significant in 8 terms and by time. A similar model quadratic in opiate duration was more powerfully predictive, suggesting the salience of the duration of opiate treatment (AIC 191·6898 and 191·5966, P = 0·0116). WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION Data suggest that increased length of opiate dependence is associated with advanced vascular stiffness and ageing and are therefore consistent with accelerated ageing organismally. The superiority of power functions of the opiate duration of exposure underscores the significance of the duration of treatment and of putative senescence induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Reece
- School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
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Reece AS, Hulse GK. Lifetime opiate exposure as an independent and interactive cardiovascular risk factor in males: a cross-sectional clinical study. Vasc Health Risk Manag 2013; 9:551-61. [PMID: 24124373 PMCID: PMC3794871 DOI: 10.2147/vhrm.s48030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction While several studies have identified an increased incidence of cardiovascular disorders in opiate dependence, neither opiates as a cardiovascular risk factor nor their effect on central arterial function has been considered. Methods Pulse wave analysis (SphygmoCor, AtCorMedical Pty Limited, Sydney, NSW, Australia) was undertaken on a cohort of controls and opiate dependent patients and the results compared to their lifetime opiate exposure. Results Controls (N = 401) were compared with 465 opiate dependent men. The mean (log) ages were different and were found to be 28.80 ± 0.49 years versus 35.02 ± 0.39 years (P < 0.0001), respectively. Of the opiate dependent group, 87.7% were treated with buprenorphine, 8.8% with methadone, and 3.4% with naltrexone. Multiple regression analysis was used to adjust for chronologic age (CA). At CA of 60 years, the modeled age in the controls was 66.40 years, and that in the addicted group was 73.11 years, an advancement of 6.71 years, or 10.10%. Exacerbations of age dependent changes in central arterial stiffness, central pressures, pulse rate, ejection duration, diastolic duration, and subendocardial perfusion ratio by opiate dependence were all noted (P < 0.05). Current heroin dose, heroin duration, and the dose duration interaction were all significantly related to the vascular (or “reference”) age (RA)/CA ratio (all P < 0.006). After multivariate adjustment, the opiate dose duration was independently predictive of RA (P < 0.02). Opiate dose and/or duration were included in a further 25 terms. Conclusion These data show that opiate use is not benign for the male cardiovascular system, but has a dose response relationship to central arterial stiffness and thus cardiovascular aging, acting independently and interactively with established cardiovascular risk factors. These findings imply accelerated organismal aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert S Reece
- School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
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Seltenhammer MH, Marchart K, Paula P, Kordina N, Klupp N, Schneider B, Fitzl C, Risser DU. Micromorphological changes in cardiac tissue of drug-related deaths with emphasis on chronic illicit opioid abuse. Addiction 2013; 108:1287-95. [PMID: 23297783 PMCID: PMC3746107 DOI: 10.1111/add.12106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2012] [Revised: 03/13/2012] [Accepted: 12/21/2012] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The main intention of this retrospective study was to investigate whether chronic illicit drug abuse, especially the intravenous use of opioids (heroin), could potentially trigger the development of myocardial fibrosis in drug addicts. DESIGN A retrospective case-control study was performed using myocardial tissue samples from both drug-related deaths (DRD) with verifiable opioid abuse and non-drug-related deaths in the same age group. SETTING Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (1993-94). PARTICIPANTS Myocardial specimens were retrieved from 76 deceased intravenous opioid users and compared to those of 23 deceased non-drug users. MEASUREMENTS Drug quantification was carried out using the enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT), followed by [gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), MAT 112(®) ], and analysed using the Integrator 3390A by Hewlett Packard(®) and LABCOM.1 computer (MSS-G.G.). The amount of fibrous connective tissue (FCT) in the myocardium was determined by using the morphometric software LUCIA Net version 1.16.2(©) , Laboratory Imaging, with NIS Elements 3.0(®) . FINDINGS Drug analysis revealed that 67.11% were polydrug users and the same proportion was classified as heroin addicts (6-monoacetylmorphine, 6-MAM)-32.89% were users of pure heroin. In 76.32% of DRD cases, codeine was detected. Only 2.63% consumed cocaine. The mean morphine concentrations were 389.03 ng/g in the cerebellum and 275.52 ng/g in the medulla oblongata, respectively. Morphometric analysis exhibited a strong correlation between DRD and myocardial fibrosis. The mean proportion of FCT content in the drug group was 7.6 ± 2.9% (females: 6.30 ± 2.19%; males: 7.91 ± 3.01%) in contrast to 5.2 ± 1.7% (females: 4.45 ± 1.23%; males: 5.50 ± 1.78%) in the control group, indicating a significant difference (P = 0.0012), and a significant difference in the amount of FCT between females and males (P = 0.0383). There was no significant interaction of age and FCT (P = 0.8472). CONCLUSIONS There is a long-term risk of cardiac dysfunction following chronic illicit drug abuse with opioids as a principal component. Regular cardiological examination of patients receiving substitution treatment with morphine is strongly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katharina Marchart
- Department of Forensic Medicine Medical University Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Pia Paula
- Department of Forensic Medicine Medical University Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Nicole Kordina
- Department of Forensic Medicine Medical University Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Nikolaus Klupp
- Department of Forensic Medicine Medical University Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Barbara Schneider
- Department of Forensic Medicine Medical University Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Christine Fitzl
- Department of Forensic Medicine Medical University Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Daniele U. Risser
- Department of Forensic Medicine Medical University Vienna Vienna Austria
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Sharif B, Nosyk B, Sun H, Marsh DC, Anis A. Changes in the characteristics and levels of comorbidity among new patients into methadone maintenance treatment program in British Columbia during its expansion period from 1998-2006. Subst Use Misuse 2013; 48:671-82. [PMID: 23750776 PMCID: PMC5108241 DOI: 10.3109/10826084.2013.800119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
We described the changing characteristics and comorbidity levels of new patients into Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program in British Columbia, Canada, during its expansion period of 1998-2006. Analyses used administrative data. Generalized regression models were applied using Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and Chronic Disease Score (CDS) as outcomes. 12,615 individuals initiated MMT during 1998-2006, while their odds of having moderate CCI (1 ≤ CCI ≤ 4) and mean CDS increased by 60% and 11%, respectively, after adjusting for confounders. MMT entrants were presented with progressively higher levels of comorbidity, independent of other characteristics. Future MMT policies should address higher levels of comorbidity among new patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnam Sharif
- School of Population & Public Health, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia , Canada
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Abstract
The use of opioids for chronic noncancer pain has increased dramatically over the past 25 years in North America and has been accompanied by a major increase in opioid addiction and overdose deaths. The increase in opioid prescribing is multifactorial and partly reflects concerns about the effectiveness and safety of alternative medications, particularly the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, much of the rise in opioid prescribing reflects the assertion, widely communicated to physicians in the 1990s, that the risks of dependence and addiction during chronic opioid therapy were low, predictable, and could be minimized by the use of controlled-release opioid formulations. In this narrative review, we offer a critical appraisal of the publications most frequently cited as evidence that the risk of addiction during chronic opioid therapy is low. We conclude that very few well-designed studies support the notion that opioid addiction is rare during chronic opioid therapy and that none can be readily generalized to present-day practice. Despite serious methodological limitations, these studies have been repeatedly mischaracterized as showing that the risk of addiction during chronic opioid therapy is rare. These studies are countered by a larger, more rigorous and contemporary body of evidence demonstrating that dependence and addiction are relatively common consequences of chronic opioid therapy, occurring in up to one-third of patients in some series.
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Reece AS, Hulse GK. Reduction in arterial stiffness and vascular age by naltrexone-induced interruption of opiate agonism: a cohort study. BMJ Open 2013; 3:bmjopen-2013-002610. [PMID: 23524044 PMCID: PMC3612814 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To prospectively assess if opiate antagonist treatment or the opiate-free status could reverse opiate-related vasculopathy. DESIGN Longitudinal Open Observational, Serial 'N of One', over 6.5 years under various treatment conditions: opiate dependence, naltrexone and opiate-free. SETTING Primary care, Australia. PARTICIPANTS 20 opiate-dependent patients (16 males: 16 cases of buprenorphine 4.11±1.17 mg, two of methadone 57.5±12.5 mg and two of heroin 0.75±0.25 g). INTERVENTION Studies of central arterial stiffness and vascular reference age (RA) were performed longitudinally by SphygmoCor Pulse Wave Analysis (AtCor, Sydney). PRIMARY OUTCOMES Primary outcome was vascular age and arterial stiffness accrual under different treatment conditions. RESULTS The mean chronological age (CA) was 33.62±2.03 years. The opiate-free condition was associated with a lower apparent vascular age both in itself (males: p=0.0402 and females: p=0.0360) and in interaction with time (males: p=0.0001 and females: p=0.0004), and confirmed with other measures of arterial stiffness. The mean modelled RA was 38.82, 37.73 and 35.05 years in the opiate, naltrexone and opiate-free conditions, respectively. The opiate-free condition was superior to opiate agonism after full multivariate adjustment (p=0.0131), with modelled RA/CA of 1.0173, 0.9563 and 0.8985 (reductions of 6.1% and 11.9%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Data demonstrate that opiate-free status improves vascular age and arterial stiffness in previous chronic opiate users. The role of opiate antagonist treatment in achieving these outcomes requires future clarification and offers hope of novel therapeutic remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Stuart Reece
- Unit for Research and Education in Alcohol and Drugs, School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Abstract
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has been shown to be linked with immune stimulation, but is not well studied over the lifetime in opiate addiction. hs-CRP was measured by standard laboratory methods in substance use disorder (SUD) patients and non-SUD (NSUD) aged 18-48 years. Data were log transformed to improve normality. 1231 SUD were compared with 326 NSUD patients of comparable ages. hs-CRP was 7.46 ± 14.24 versus 4.75 ± 13.40 mg/l (mean ± SD) significantly higher in the SUD group (P < 0.0001), a difference which persisted after exclusion of acutely elevated hs-CRP values (P < 0.0001). In multiple regression with age, addictive status was significant both by itself (P < 0.0001) and in interaction with age (P < 0.0001). At age 40 years, the SUD group had a mean hs-CRP of 3.68 which the NSUD group did not achieve till a modelled age of 157.09 years. In an interactive multivariate regression, interactions between age, addictive status, ALT and AST were significant. These data show that hs-CRP is elevated in opiate dependence both per se, and when controlled for age. Furthermore, they suggest that hs-CRP and immune stimulation seen in opiate addiction may underlie the acceleration of age-related multi-system chronic and coronary atherosclerotic disease well described in opiate dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Stuart Reece
- School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, 39 Gladstone Rd., Highgate Hill, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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Huang CLC, Lee CW. Factors associated with mortality among heroin users after seeking treatment with methadone: A population-based cohort study in Taiwan. J Subst Abuse Treat 2013; 44:295-300. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2012.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2012] [Revised: 06/23/2012] [Accepted: 08/03/2012] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Roxburgh A, Burns L, Drummer OH, Pilgrim J, Farrell M, Degenhardt L. Trends in fentanyl prescriptions and fentanyl-related mortality in Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev 2013; 32:269-75. [DOI: 10.1111/dar.12033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2012] [Accepted: 01/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Roxburgh
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre; University of New South Wales; Sydney; Australia
| | - Lucy Burns
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre; University of New South Wales; Sydney; Australia
| | | | - Jennifer Pilgrim
- Department of Forensic Medicine; Monash University; Melbourne; Australia
| | - Michael Farrell
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre; University of New South Wales; Sydney; Australia
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Reece AS, Hulse GK. Opiate exposure increases arterial stiffness, advances vascular age and is an independent cardiovascular risk factor in females: A cross-sectional clinical study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.4236/wjcd.2013.35056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Relative and Age-dependent Stimulation of Soluble and Cellular Immunity in Opiate Dependence. J Addict Med 2012; 6:10-7. [DOI: 10.1097/adm.0b013e31822c3bf4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Reece AS. Manifold implications of forgotten hyperglycemia in clinical opiate dependence. Drug Chem Toxicol 2012; 36:55-66. [DOI: 10.3109/01480545.2011.649286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Alper KR, Stajić M, Gill JR. Fatalities temporally associated with the ingestion of ibogaine. J Forensic Sci 2012; 57:398-412. [PMID: 22268458 DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.02008.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive plant alkaloid that is used globally in medical and nonmedical settings for opioid detoxification and other substance use indications. All available autopsy, toxicological, and investigative reports were systematically reviewed for the consecutive series of all known fatalities outside of West Central Africa temporally related to the use of ibogaine from 1990 through 2008. Nineteen individuals (15 men, four women between 24 and 54 years old) are known to have died within 1.5-76 h of taking ibogaine. The clinical and postmortem evidence did not suggest a characteristic syndrome of neurotoxicity. Advanced preexisting medical comorbidities, which were mainly cardiovascular, and/or one or more commonly abused substances explained or contributed to the death in 12 of the 14 cases for which adequate postmortem data were available. Other apparent risk factors include seizures associated with withdrawal from alcohol and benzodiazepines and the uninformed use of ethnopharmacological forms of ibogaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth R Alper
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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Stuart Reece A. Deterioration of indices of aortic augmentation and vascular age predate major cardiac events and interact with opiate dependence. Int J Cardiol 2011; 149:e8-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2009.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2009] [Accepted: 03/03/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Abstract
Several reports express concern at the mortality associated with the use of oral naltrexone for opiate dependency. Registry controlled follow-up of patients treated with naltrexone implant and buprenorphine was performed. In the study, 255 naltrexone implant patients were followed for a mean (+/- standard deviation) of 5.22 +/- 1.87 years and 2,518 buprenorphine patients were followed for a mean (+/- standard deviation) of 3.19 +/- 1.61 years, accruing 1,332.22 and 8,030.02 patient-years of follow-up, respectively. The crude mortality rates were 3.00 and 5.35 per 1,000 patient-years, respectively, and the age standardized mortality rate ratio for naltrexone compared to buprenorphine was 0.676 (95% confidence interval = 0.014 to 1.338). Most sex, treatment group, and age comparisons significantly favored the naltrexone implant group. Mortality rates were shown to be comparable to, and intermediate between, published mortality rates of an age-standardized methadone treated cohort and the Australian population. These data suggest that the mortality rate from naltrexone implant is comparable to that of buprenorphine, methadone, and the Australian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Stuart Reece
- Southcity Family Medical Centre and University of Queensland Medical School, Queensland, Australia.
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