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Huynh MNQ, Yuan M, Gallo L, Olaiya OR, Barkho J, McRae M. Opioid Consumption After Upper Extremity Surgery: A Systematic Review. Hand (N Y) 2024; 19:1002-1011. [PMID: 36960481 PMCID: PMC11342701 DOI: 10.1177/15589447231160211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
There is currently an overprescription of opioids, which may result in abuse and diversion of narcotics. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate opioid prescription practices and consumption by patients after upper extremity surgery. This review was registered a priori on Open Science Framework (osf.io/6u5ny) and adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A search strategy was performed using MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases (from their inception to October 17, 2021). Prospective studies investigating opioid consumption of patients aged 18 years or older undergoing upper extremity surgeries were included. The Risk of Bias in Nonrandomized Studies of Interventions and Risk of Bias 2.0 tools were used for quality assessment. In total, 21 articles met the inclusion criteria, including 7 randomized controlled trials and 14 prospective cohort studies. This represented 4195 patients who underwent upper extremity surgery. Most patients took less than half of the prescribed opioids. The percentage of opioids consumed ranged from 11% to 77%. There was moderate to severe risk of bias among the included studies. This review demonstrated that there is routinely excessive opioid prescription relative to consumption after upper limb surgery. Additional randomized trials are warranted, particularly with standardized reporting of opioid consumption and assessment of patient-reported outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lucas Gallo
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Lavonas EJ, Akpunonu PD, Arens AM, Babu KM, Cao D, Hoffman RS, Hoyte CO, Mazer-Amirshahi ME, Stolbach A, St-Onge M, Thompson TM, Wang GS, Hoover AV, Drennan IR. 2023 American Heart Association Focused Update on the Management of Patients With Cardiac Arrest or Life-Threatening Toxicity Due to Poisoning: An Update to the American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Circulation 2023; 148:e149-e184. [PMID: 37721023 DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000001161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
In this focused update, the American Heart Association provides updated guidance for resuscitation of patients with cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, and refractory shock due to poisoning. Based on structured evidence reviews, guidelines are provided for the treatment of critical poisoning from benzodiazepines, β-adrenergic receptor antagonists (also known as β-blockers), L-type calcium channel antagonists (commonly called calcium channel blockers), cocaine, cyanide, digoxin and related cardiac glycosides, local anesthetics, methemoglobinemia, opioids, organophosphates and carbamates, sodium channel antagonists (also called sodium channel blockers), and sympathomimetics. Recommendations are also provided for the use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. These guidelines discuss the role of atropine, benzodiazepines, calcium, digoxin-specific immune antibody fragments, electrical pacing, flumazenil, glucagon, hemodialysis, hydroxocobalamin, hyperbaric oxygen, insulin, intravenous lipid emulsion, lidocaine, methylene blue, naloxone, pralidoxime, sodium bicarbonate, sodium nitrite, sodium thiosulfate, vasodilators, and vasopressors for the management of specific critical poisonings.
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Howell BA, Black AC, Grau LE, Lin HJ, Greene C, Lee H, Heimer R, Hawk KE, D'Onofrio G, Fiellin DA, Becker WC. Concordance between controlled substance receipt and post-mortem toxicology in opioid-detected overdose deaths: A statewide analysis. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 244:109788. [PMID: 36738634 PMCID: PMC9975083 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid overdoses are a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. There is limited research linking decedents' receipt of controlled substances and presence of controlled substances on post-mortem toxicology (PMT). METHODS We linked data on opioid-detected deaths in Connecticut between May 3, 2016, and December 31, 2017 from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Department of Consumer Protection, and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Exposure was defined as receipt of an opioid or benzodiazepine prescription within 90 days prior to death. Our primary outcome was concordance between medication received and metabolites in PMT. RESULTS Our analysis included 1412 opioid-detected overdose deaths. 47 % received an opioid or benzodiazepine 90 days prior to death; 36 % received an opioid and 27 % received a benzodiazepine. Concordance between receipt of an opioid or benzodiazepine and its presence in PMT was observed in 30 % of opioid-detected deaths. Concordance with an opioid was present in 17 % of opioid-detected deaths and concordance with a benzodiazepine was present in 21 % of opioid-detected deaths. Receipt of an opioid or benzodiazepine and concordance with PMT were less common in fentanyl or heroin-detected deaths and more common in pharmaceutical opioid-detected deaths. DISCUSSION Our results suggest medically supplied opioids and benzodiazepines potentially contributed to a substantial number, though minority, of opioid-detected deaths during the study period. Efforts to reduce opioid and benzodiazepine prescribing may reduce risk of opioid-detected deaths in this group, but other approaches will be needed to address most opioid-detected deaths that involved non-pharmaceutical opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin A Howell
- SEICHE Center for Health and Justice, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, the United States of America; Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, the United States of America; Section of General Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, the United States of America.
| | - Anne C Black
- Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, the United States of America; Section of General Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, the United States of America; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, the United States of America
| | - Lauretta E Grau
- Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, the United States of America; Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, the United States of America
| | - Hsiu-Ju Lin
- School of Social Work, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, the United States of America; Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Hartford, CT, the United States of America
| | - Christina Greene
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, the United States of America
| | - Hana Lee
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, the United States of America
| | - Robert Heimer
- Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, the United States of America; Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, the United States of America
| | - Kathryn E Hawk
- Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, the United States of America; Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, the United States of America; Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, the United States of America
| | - Gail D'Onofrio
- Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, the United States of America; Section of General Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, the United States of America; Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, the United States of America; Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, the United States of America
| | - David A Fiellin
- Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, the United States of America; Section of General Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, the United States of America; Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, the United States of America; Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, the United States of America
| | - William C Becker
- Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, the United States of America; Section of General Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, the United States of America; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, the United States of America
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Gjersing L, Amundsen E. Increasing trend in accidental pharmaceutical opioid overdose deaths and diverging overdose death correlates following the opioid prescription policy liberalization in Norway 2010-2018. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2022; 108:103785. [PMID: 35907371 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the last decade, opioid prescription policies in Norway have been liberalised and pharmaceutical opioid (PO) dispensing has increased. Against this backdrop, we examined the trends in and the correlates of accidental overdose deaths attributable to PO in the period 2010-2018 in comparison with traditional heroin overdose deaths. METHODS Accidental overdose deaths attributable to PO or heroin were identified through the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry (n = 1267) and cross-linked with population and patient registries. Overdose death correlates were examined using multivariable logistic regression. FINDINGS The trend in accidental overdose deaths attributable to PO increased significantly from 2010 to 2018. Females, people aged 50 years or older, disability pension recipients and/or those with the highest net wealth had a greater risk of a PO vs. heroin overdose death, while those dying in public spaces, living in urban areas, having recent specialized drug treatment encounters, and/or criminal charge(s) had a lower risk. Among those with primary health care encounters, those with back problems and accidents and injuries had a greater risk of a PO vs. heroin overdose death, while those with a substance use disorder had a lower risk. CONCLUSION The increase in accidental overdose deaths attributable to PO coincides with the period of opioid prescription policy liberalization and an increase in PO consumption in Norway. The PO and heroin overdose deaths differed in terms of the associated sociodemographic characteristics, primary and secondary health care encounters, diagnoses, and criminal charges, indicating a need for additional interventions aimed at preventing PO overdose deaths specifically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linn Gjersing
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Postboks 222 Skøyen, 0213 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Ellen Amundsen
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Postboks 222 Skøyen, 0213 Oslo, Norway
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Schäfer WLA, Johnson JK, Wafford QE, Plummer SG, Stulberg JJ. Primary prevention of prescription opioid diversion: a systematic review of medication disposal interventions. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2021; 47:548-558. [PMID: 34292095 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2021.1937635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Background: In the U.S., 50-75% of nonmedical users of prescription opioids obtain their pills through diversion by friends or relatives. Increasing disposal of unused opioid prescriptions is a fundamental primary prevention strategy in combatting the opioid epidemic.Objectives: To identify interventions for disposal of unused opioid pills and assess the evidence of their effectiveness on disposal-related outcomes.Methods: A search of four electronic databases was conducted (October 2019). We included all empirical studies, systematic literature reviews, and meta-analyses about study medication disposal interventions in the U.S. Studies of disposal interventions that did not include opioids were excluded. We abstracted data for the selected articles to describe the study design, and outcomes. Further, we assessed the quality of each study using the NIH Study Quality Assessment Tools.Results: We identified 25 articles that met our inclusion criteria. None of the 13 studies on drug take-back events or the two studies on donation boxes could draw conclusions about their effectiveness. Although studies on educational interventions found positive effects on knowledge acquisition, they did not find differences in disposal rates. Two randomized controlled trials on drug disposal bags found higher opioid disposal rates in their intervention arms compared to the control arms (57.1% vs 28.6% and 33.3%, p = .01; and 85.7% vs 64.9%, p = .03).Conclusions: Peer-reviewed publications on opioid disposal interventions are limited and either do not address effectiveness or have conflicting findings. Future research should address these limitations and further evaluate implementation and cost-effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willemijn L A Schäfer
- Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center (SOQIC), Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Center for Health Services & Outcomes Research, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Julie K Johnson
- Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center (SOQIC), Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Center for Health Services & Outcomes Research, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Q Eileen Wafford
- Galter Health Sciences Library, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Sarah G Plummer
- Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center (SOQIC), Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jonah J Stulberg
- Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center (SOQIC), Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Center for Health Services & Outcomes Research, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Giorgetti A, Pascali J, Montisci M, Amico I, Bonvicini B, Fais P, Viero A, Giorgetti R, Cecchetto G, Viel G. The Role of Risk or Contributory Death Factors in Methadone-Related Fatalities: A Review and Pooled Analysis. Metabolites 2021; 11:189. [PMID: 33810163 PMCID: PMC8004630 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11030189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Methadone-related deaths are characterized by a wide range of post-mortem blood concentrations, due to the high pharmacokinetic/dynamic inter-individual variability, the potential subjective tolerance state and to other risk factors or comorbidities, which might enhance methadone acute toxicity. In the present study, the association among pre-existing and external conditions and diseases and the resultant methadone death capacity have been investigated. Beside a systematic literature review, a retrospective case-control study was done, dividing cases in which methadone was the only cause of death (controls), and those with associated clinical-circumstantial (naive/non-tolerant state), pathological (pulmonary or cardiovascular diseases) or toxicological (other drugs detected) conditions. Methadone concentrations were compared between the two groups and the association with conditions/diseases was assessed by multiple linear and binomial logistic regressions. Literature cases were 139, in house 35, consisting of 22 controls and 152 cases with associated conditions/diseases. Mean methadone concentrations were 2122 ng/mL and 715 ng/mL in controls and cases respectively, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Lower methadone concentrations (by 24, 19 and 33% respectively) were detected in association with naive/non-tolerant state, pulmonary diseases and presence of other drugs, and low levels of methadone (<600 ng/mL) might lead to death in the presence of the above conditions/diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Giorgetti
- DIMEC, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.G.); (P.F.)
| | - Jennifer Pascali
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy; (J.P.); (M.M.); (I.A.); (B.B.); (A.V.); (G.C.)
| | - Massimo Montisci
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy; (J.P.); (M.M.); (I.A.); (B.B.); (A.V.); (G.C.)
| | - Irene Amico
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy; (J.P.); (M.M.); (I.A.); (B.B.); (A.V.); (G.C.)
| | - Barbara Bonvicini
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy; (J.P.); (M.M.); (I.A.); (B.B.); (A.V.); (G.C.)
| | - Paolo Fais
- DIMEC, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.G.); (P.F.)
| | - Alessia Viero
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy; (J.P.); (M.M.); (I.A.); (B.B.); (A.V.); (G.C.)
| | - Raffaele Giorgetti
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University “Politecnica delle Marche” of Ancona, via Conca 71, 60126 Ancona, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Cecchetto
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy; (J.P.); (M.M.); (I.A.); (B.B.); (A.V.); (G.C.)
| | - Guido Viel
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy; (J.P.); (M.M.); (I.A.); (B.B.); (A.V.); (G.C.)
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A case study of methadone-induced delayed post-hypoxic leukoencephalopathy with improvement by antioxidant therapy. North Clin Istanb 2021; 8:106-108. [PMID: 33629035 PMCID: PMC7881437 DOI: 10.14744/nci.2020.29795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Delayed post-hypoxic leukoencephalopathy (DPHL) is a syndrome that may occur as a result of the hypoxic event, including opiate overdose. The pathophysiology of this entity is not fully known. Within a neuropsychiatric context, the diagnosis of this rare disease is important. A 39-year-old man with a history of methadone overdose presented with loss of consciousness and fever. After clinical evaluations, laboratory analysis, including various tests on blood and cerebrospinal fluid and magnetic resonance imaging, the patient was diagnosed with methadone-induced DPHL. Treatment with antioxidants, including vitamins E, C and B complex, produced a favorable outcome. In rare cases, methadone overdose may lead to DPHL. Antioxidants therapy should be considered in the treatment of this rare disorder.
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Panchal AR, Bartos JA, Cabañas JG, Donnino MW, Drennan IR, Hirsch KG, Kudenchuk PJ, Kurz MC, Lavonas EJ, Morley PT, O’Neil BJ, Peberdy MA, Rittenberger JC, Rodriguez AJ, Sawyer KN, Berg KM, Arafeh J, Benoit JL, Chase M, Fernandez A, de Paiva EF, Fischberg BL, Flores GE, Fromm P, Gazmuri R, Gibson BC, Hoadley T, Hsu CH, Issa M, Kessler A, Link MS, Magid DJ, Marrill K, Nicholson T, Ornato JP, Pacheco G, Parr M, Pawar R, Jaxton J, Perman SM, Pribble J, Robinett D, Rolston D, Sasson C, Satyapriya SV, Sharkey T, Soar J, Torman D, Von Schweinitz B, Uzendu A, Zelop CM, Magid DJ. Part 3: Adult Basic and Advanced Life Support: 2020 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Circulation 2020; 142:S366-S468. [DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000000916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 371] [Impact Index Per Article: 92.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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9
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van Draanen J, Tsang C, Mitra S, Karamouzian M, Richardson L. Socioeconomic marginalization and opioid-related overdose: A systematic review. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 214:108127. [PMID: 32650191 PMCID: PMC7313902 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Socioeconomic marginalization (SEM) is an important but under-explored determinant of opioid overdose with important implications for health equity and associated public policy initiatives. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on the role of SEM in both fatal and non-fatal overdose among people who use opioids. METHODS Studies published between January 1, 2000 and March 31, 2018 were identified through searching electronic databases, citations, and by contacting experts. The titles, abstracts, citation information, and descriptor terms of citations were screened by two team members. Data were synthesized using the lumping technique. RESULTS A total of 37 studies met inclusion criteria and were included in the review, with 34 of 37 finding a significant association between at least one socioeconomic factor and overdose. The included studies contained variables related to eight socioeconomic factors: criminal justice system involvement, income, employment, social support, health insurance, housing/homelessness, education, and composite measures of socio-economic status. Most studies found associations in the hypothesized direction, whereby increased SEM was associated with a higher rate or increased likelihood of the overdose outcome measured. The review revealed an underdeveloped evidence base. CONCLUSIONS Nearly all reviewed studies found a connection between a socioeconomic variable and overdose, but more research is needed with an explicit focus on SEM, using robust and nuanced measures that capture multiple dimensions of disadvantage, and collect data over time to better inform decision making around opioid overdose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna van Draanen
- BC Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada; University of British Columbia, Department of Sociology, 6303 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Christie Tsang
- BC Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada; University of British Columbia, School of Social Work, The Jack Bell Building, 2080 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z2, Canada
| | - Sanjana Mitra
- BC Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada; University of British Columbia, Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program, 270, 2357 Main Mall, H. R. MacMillan Building, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Mohammad Karamouzian
- BC Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada; University of British Columbia, School of Population and Public Health, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada; HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, 7616913555, Iran
| | - Lindsey Richardson
- BC Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada; University of British Columbia, Department of Sociology, 6303 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada.
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Andersson L, Håkansson A, Krantz P, Johnson B. Investigating opioid-related fatalities in southern Sweden: contact with care-providing authorities and comparison of substances. Harm Reduct J 2020; 17:5. [PMID: 31918732 PMCID: PMC6953255 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-019-0354-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Opioid-related deaths have increased in Western countries over recent decades. Despite numerous studies investigating opioid-related mortality, only a few have focused on the lives of the deceased individuals prior to their deaths, specifically regarding contact with care-providing authorities such as health, social and correctional services. Furthermore, a change has been noted in the last two decades as to which opioids cause most deaths, from heroin to prescription opioids. However, studies comparing fatalities caused by different substances are rare. The aim of this study was to investigate contact with care-providing authorities during the year prior to death among individuals who died as a result of opioid intoxication and to analyse differences relating to which opioids caused their deaths. Methods The study is based on retrospective register data and includes 180 individuals with a history of illicit drug use, who died from opioid intoxication in Skåne, Sweden, between 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2013 and 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016. Intoxications caused by heroin, methadone, buprenorphine and fentanyl were included. Data were collected from the National Board of Forensic Medicine, regional health care services, municipal social services and the Prison and Probation Service. Statistical testing was performed using Pearson’s chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and the Mann-Whitney U test to analyse group differences. Results A total of 89% of the deceased individuals had been in contact with one or more of the care-providing authorities during the year prior to death; 75% had been in contact with health care, 69% with the social services, 28% with the Prison and Probation Service, and 23% had been enrolled in opioid substitution treatment at some point during their final year of life. Few differences appeared between the substance groups with regard to which opioid contributed to the death. In addition to opioids, sedatives were present in more than 80% of the cases. Individuals whose deaths were buprenorphine-related had been in contact with the social services to a significantly lesser extent during the year prior to death. Conclusions The studied population is characterised by extensive contact with care-providing authorities, thus providing numerous opportunities for authorities to reach this group with preventive and other interventions. Few differences emerged between groups with regard to which opioid had contributed to the death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Andersson
- Department of Social Work, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.
| | - Anders Håkansson
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Psychiatry, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Malmö Addiction Centre, Region Skåne, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Peter Krantz
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Forensic Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Björn Johnson
- Department of Social Work, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
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Walley AY, Bernson D, Larochelle MR, Green TC, Young L, Land T. The Contribution of Prescribed and Illicit Opioids to Fatal Overdoses in Massachusetts, 2013-2015. Public Health Rep 2019; 134:667-674. [PMID: 31577519 PMCID: PMC6832088 DOI: 10.1177/0033354919878429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Opioid-related overdoses are commonly attributed to prescription opioids. We examined data on opioid-related overdose decedents in Massachusetts. For each decedent, we determined which opioid medications had been prescribed and dispensed and which opioids were detected in postmortem medical examiner toxicology specimens. METHODS Among opioid-related overdose decedents in Massachusetts during 2013-2015, we analyzed individually linked postmortem opioid toxicology reports and prescription drug monitoring program records to determine instances of overdose in which a decedent had a prescription active on the date of death for the opioid(s) detected in the toxicology report. We also calculated the proportion of overdoses for which prescribed opioid medications were not detected in decedents' toxicology reports. RESULTS Of 2916 decedents with complete toxicology reports, 1789 (61.4%) had heroin and 1322 (45.3%) had fentanyl detected in postmortem toxicology reports. Of the 491 (16.8%) decedents with ≥1 opioid prescription active on the date of death, prescribed opioids were commonly not detected in toxicology reports, specifically: buprenorphine (56 of 97; 57.7%), oxycodone (93 of 176; 52.8%), and methadone prescribed for opioid use disorder (36 of 112; 32.1%). Only 39 (1.3%) decedents had an active prescription for each opioid detected in toxicology reports on the date of death. CONCLUSION Linking overdose toxicology reports to prescription drug monitoring program records can help attribute overdoses to prescribed opioids, diverted prescription opioids, heroin, and illicitly made fentanyl.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Y. Walley
- Department of Medicine, Clinical Addiction Research and Education
Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine
& Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dana Bernson
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marc R. Larochelle
- Department of Medicine, Clinical Addiction Research and Education
Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine
& Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Traci C. Green
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Injury Prevention Center, Boston
University School of Medicine & Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Leonard Young
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas Land
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School,
Worcester, MA, USA
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Tamraz B, Reisner L, French AL, King ST, Fischl MA, Ofotokun I, Kashuba A, Milam J, Murphy K, Augenbraun M, Liu C, Finley PR, Aouizerat B, Cocohoba J, Gange S, Bacchetti P, Greenblatt RM. Association between Use of Methadone, Other Central Nervous System Depressants, and QTc Interval-Prolonging Medications and Risk of Mortality in a Large Cohort of Women Living with or at Risk for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection. Pharmacotherapy 2019; 39:899-911. [PMID: 31332819 PMCID: PMC7000174 DOI: 10.1002/phar.2312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between use of methadone, other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and QTc interval-prolonging medications and risk of mortality among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and at-risk HIV-uninfected women. DESIGN Multicenter, prospective, observational cohort study (Women's Interagency HIV Study [WIHS]). PARTICIPANTS A total of 4150 women enrolled in the WIHS study between 1994 and 2014 who were infected (3119 women) or not infected (1031 women) with HIV. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Data on medication utilization were collected from all study participants via interviewer-administered surveys at 6-month intervals (1994-2014). Mortality was confirmed by National Death Index data. With age defining the time scale for the analysis, Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality in HIV-infected and -uninfected women and non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) deaths in HIV-infected women. A total of 1046 deaths were identified, of which 429 were considered non-AIDS deaths. Use of benzodiazepines, CNS depressants (excluding methadone), and number of medications with conditional QTc interval-prolonging effects were each associated with all-cause mortality in multivariate models of HIV-infected women: hazard ratio (HR) 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.60, p=0.037; HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.35-1.92, p<0.0001; and HR 1.15 per drug, 95% CI 1.00-1.33, p=0.047, respectively. Other explanatory variables for all-cause mortality in this model included HIV viral load, CD4+ cell count, renal function, hemoglobin and albumin levels, HIV treatment era, employment status, existence of depressive symptoms, ever use of injection drugs, and tobacco smoking. Of interest, use of CNS depressants (excluding methadone) was also associated with non-AIDS deaths (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.49-2.2, p<0.0001). Although use of benzodiazepines and conditional QT interval-prolonging medications were associated with increased risk of non-AIDS mortality (HR 1.32 and 1.25, respectively), the effect was not statistically significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSION In this cohort of HIV-infected and at-risk HIV-uninfected women, use of benzodiazepines, CNS depressants, and conditional QTc interval-prolonging medications were associated with a higher risk of mortality independent of methadone and other well-recognized mortality risk factors. Care must be taken to assess risk when prescribing these medications in this underserved and at-risk patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bani Tamraz
- University of California, San Francisco, School of Pharmacy, San Francisco, CA
| | - Lori Reisner
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Audrey L. French
- Infectious Diseases, CORE Center/Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL
| | - S. Travis King
- University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Jackson, MS
| | - Margaret A. Fischl
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Igho Ofotokun
- Emory University, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases Atlanta, GA
| | - Angela Kashuba
- University of North Carolina (UNC) Center for AIDS Research, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Joel Milam
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Kerry Murphy
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Michael Augenbraun
- Infectious Diseases, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY
| | - Chenglong Liu
- Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC
| | - Patrick R. Finley
- University of California, San Francisco, School of Pharmacy, San Francisco, CA
| | - Bradley Aouizerat
- New York University School of Dentistry and Bluestone Center for Clinical Research, New York, NY
| | - Jennifer Cocohoba
- University of California, San Francisco, School of Pharmacy, San Francisco, CA
| | - Stephen Gange
- John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Peter Bacchetti
- University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, San Francisco, CA
| | - Ruth M. Greenblatt
- University of California, San Francisco, School of Pharmacy, San Francisco, CA
- University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, San Francisco, CA
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13
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Lindley B, Cox N, Cochran G. Screening tools for detecting problematic opioid use and potential application to community pharmacy practice: a review. INTEGRATED PHARMACY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2019; 8:85-96. [PMID: 31410349 PMCID: PMC6649304 DOI: 10.2147/iprp.s185663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Problematic opioid use, constituted by a myriad of conditions ranging from misuse to use disorders, has continued to receive an increasing amount of attention in recent years resulting from the high use of opioids in the United States coinciding with morbidity and mortality. Deaths from drug overdoses increased by over 11% between 2014 and 2015, which supports the need for identification of problematic opioid use in additional health care settings. One of these settings is community pharmacy. The community pharmacy is a unique health service setting to identify and potentially intervene with patients at risk of or exhibit problematic opioid use. Problematic opioid use can be identified using one of the various screening tools in conjunction with evaluating prescription drug monitoring systems. A total of 12 tools were identified that could be employed in community pharmacy settings for identifying problematic opioid use. This review highlights these tools and strategies for use that can be utilized in the community pharmacy, which should be adapted to individual pharmacy settings and local needs. Future research should assess pharmacy personnel's knowledge and perceptions of problematic opioid use and associated screening tools and interventions, which tools can be most effectively used in a community pharmacy, workflow needs to implement problematic opioid use screenings, and the impact of pharmacist engagement in problematic opioid use screening on patient clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryn Lindley
- University of Utah, College of Pharmacy, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Nicholas Cox
- University of Utah, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacotherapy, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Gerald Cochran
- University of Utah, School of Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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14
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Li L, Liang LJ, Lin C, Feng N, Cao W, Wu Z. An intervention to improve provider-patient interaction at methadone maintenance treatment in China. J Subst Abuse Treat 2019; 99:149-155. [PMID: 30797387 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2019.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study evaluated an intervention aiming to improve methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) service providers' interaction with their patients in China. METHODS Sixty-eight MMT clinics were randomized to either an intervention or a control condition. Providers in the intervention group attended three group training sessions to enhance their communication skills. Trained providers were encouraged to practice the taught communication skills through provider-initiated individual sessions with their patients. A total of 418 service providers completed assessments from baseline to 24-month. Linear mixed-effects regression models were used to compare self-reported short-term and sustained improvement in provider-patient interaction between the intervention and the control conditions. RESULTS The intervention group service providers perceived significantly greater short-term and sustained improvement in provider-patient interaction compared to the control group service providers (estimated difference (±SE): 1.20 (0.24) and 1.35 (0.33), respectively; p-values < 0.0001). Providers' baseline job satisfaction was significantly associated with a greater perceived improvement in provider-patient interaction for both periods (reg. coef. (±SE): 0.02 (0.01) and 0.04 (0.01) for short-term and sustained periods, respectively; p-values < 0.01). CONCLUSION Study findings suggest that the intervention could be beneficial for improving perceived provider-patient interaction in MMT programs. Service providers' job satisfaction should be addressed in training programs for the improvement of provider-patient interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Li-Jung Liang
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chunqing Lin
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nan Feng
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Wei Cao
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Zunyou Wu
- National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
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15
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Moyo P, Zhao X, Thorpe CT, Thorpe JM, Sileanu FE, Cashy JP, Hale JA, Mor MK, Radomski TR, Donohue JM, Hausmann LRM, Hanlon JT, Good CB, Fine MJ, Gellad WF. Patterns of opioid prescriptions received prior to unintentional prescription opioid overdose death among Veterans. Res Social Adm Pharm 2018; 15:1007-1013. [PMID: 30385111 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2018.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have assessed prescription opioid supply preceding death in individuals dying from unintentional prescription opioid overdoses, or described the characteristics of these individuals, particularly among Veterans. OBJECTIVES To describe the history of prescription opioid supply preceding prescription opioid overdose death among Veterans. METHODS In a national cohort of Veterans who filled ≥1 opioid prescriptions from the Veterans Health Administration (VA) or Medicare Part D during 2008-2013, we identified deaths from unintentional or undetermined-intent prescription opioid overdoses in 2012-2013. We captured opioid prescriptions using both linked VA and Part D data, and VA data only. RESULTS Among 1181 decedents, 643 (54.4%) had prescription opioid supply on the day of death, and 735 (62.2%) within 30 days based on linked data, compared to 40.1% and 46.7%, respectively, using VA data alone. Decedents with prescription opioid supply were significantly older and less likely to have alcohol or illicit drugs as co-occurring substances involved in the overdose. Using linked data, 241 (20.4%) decedents lacked prescription opioid supply within a year of death. CONCLUSIONS Many VA patients who die from prescription opioid overdose receive opioid prescriptions outside VA or not at all. It is important to supplement VA with non-VA data to more accurately measure prescription opioid exposure and improve opioid medication safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patience Moyo
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing, University of Pittsburgh Health Policy Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Xinhua Zhao
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Carolyn T Thorpe
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing, University of Pittsburgh Health Policy Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Joshua M Thorpe
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing, University of Pittsburgh Health Policy Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Florentina E Sileanu
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - John P Cashy
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer A Hale
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Maria K Mor
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Thomas R Radomski
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing, University of Pittsburgh Health Policy Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Julie M Donohue
- Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing, University of Pittsburgh Health Policy Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Health Policy & Management, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Leslie R M Hausmann
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Joseph T Hanlon
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing, University of Pittsburgh Health Policy Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Chester B Good
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing, University of Pittsburgh Health Policy Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for Value Based Pharmaceutical Initiatives, UPMC Health Plan, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Michael J Fine
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Walid F Gellad
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing, University of Pittsburgh Health Policy Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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16
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Nechuta SJ, Tyndall BD, Mukhopadhyay S, McPheeters ML. Sociodemographic factors, prescription history and opioid overdose deaths: a statewide analysis using linked PDMP and mortality data. Drug Alcohol Depend 2018; 190:62-71. [PMID: 29981943 PMCID: PMC11017380 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid overdose deaths have continued to rise in Tennessee (TN) with fentanyl emerging as a major contributor. Current data are needed to identify at-risk populations to guide prevention strategies. We conducted a large statewide observational study among TN adult decedents (2013-2016) to evaluate the association of sociodemographic factors and prescribing patterns with opioid overdose deaths. METHODS Among drug overdose decedents identified using death certificate data (n = 5483), we used logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for characteristics associated with prescription opioid (PO) (excluding fentanyl), fentanyl, and heroin alone overdoses. Among decedents linked to TN's Prescription Drug Monitoring Database using deterministic algorithms, we obtained prescription history in the year before death (n = 3971), which was evaluated by type of overdose using descriptive statistics. RESULTS Younger, non-White decedents had lower odds of PO overdose, while females and benzodiazepines as a contributing cause were associated with increased odds of PO overdose. Younger age, Non-Hispanic Black race/ethnicity, greater than high school education, and cocaine/other stimulants as a contributing cause were associated with increased odds of fentanyl or heroin overdoses. Over 55% of PO, 39.2% of fentanyl, and 20.7% of heroin overdoses had an active opioid prescription at death. For PO, fentanyl, and heroin decedents, respectively, 46.0%, 30.5%, and 26.2% had an active prescription for benzodiazepines at death. CONCLUSIONS Prescription opioid overdose deaths were associated with different sociodemographic profiles and prescribing history compared to fentanyl and heroin overdose deaths in TN. Data can guide prevention strategies to reduce opioid overdose mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Nechuta
- Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Informatics and Analytics, 665 Mainstream Drive, Nashville, TN, 37243, United States; Department of Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2525 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN, 37240, United States.
| | - Benjamin D Tyndall
- Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Informatics and Analytics, 665 Mainstream Drive, Nashville, TN, 37243, United States
| | - Sutapa Mukhopadhyay
- Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Informatics and Analytics, 665 Mainstream Drive, Nashville, TN, 37243, United States
| | - Melissa L McPheeters
- Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Informatics and Analytics, Andrew Johnson Tower, 7th Floor, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN, 37243, United States; Department of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2525 West End Ave, Suite 1200, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
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17
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Haukka J, Kriikku P, Mariottini C, Partonen T, Ojanperä I. Non-medical use of psychoactive prescription drugs is associated with fatal poisoning. Addiction 2018; 113:464-472. [PMID: 28841781 DOI: 10.1111/add.14014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Revised: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence and predictors of non-medical substance use, and to assess the association between non-medical substance use and fatal poisoning or history of drug abuse in Finland. DESIGN AND SETTING Retrospective cohort study of all medico-legally investigated death cases in Finland. The postmortem toxicology database was linked together with the register on reimbursed prescription medicines. PARTICIPANTS AND CASES All postmortem cases between 2011 and 2013 positive for one or more of the following drugs: oxycodone, fentanyl, tramadol, clonazepam, gabapentin, pregabalin, tizanidine, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, alprazolam, zolpidem, mirtazapine and bupropion, n = 2974. MEASUREMENTS Non-medical use of substance was the outcome variable. Predictors were the following: gender, residence at the time of death, place of death, blood alcohol concentration, age, drug abuse, number of prescriptions of any psychoactive drugs in last year and proportion of prescriptions issued by psychiatrist in last year. FINDINGS In 50.4% of the studied cases, at least one drug was detected without a prescription. Clonazepam, alprazolam and tramadol were the most prevalent non-medical findings in these cases (6.6, 6.1 and 5.6%, respectively). The risk of non-medical use of prescription drugs was especially high in cases with history of drug abuse (88.5%) and in fatal poisonings (71.0%). The proportion of non-medical use of the studied substances varied between 5.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.1-10.1%)] for risperidone and 55.7% for fentanyl (95% CI = 44.1-66.9%). Valid prescription for one or more of any psychoactive drug was associated with lower odds for non-medical use of the studied substances. Additionally, the higher the proportion of psychoactive drugs prescribed by a psychiatrist, the lower the probability of non-medical use. CONCLUSIONS Non-prescribed psychoactive drugs are found commonly at postmortem in drug poisoning deaths in Finland, with history of drug abuse being a major contributing factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jari Haukka
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pirkko Kriikku
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Claudia Mariottini
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Timo Partonen
- Department of Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilkka Ojanperä
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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18
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Nadpara PA, Joyce AR, Murrelle EL, Carroll NW, Carroll NV, Barnard M, Zedler BK. Risk Factors for Serious Prescription Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression or Overdose: Comparison of Commercially Insured and Veterans Health Affairs Populations. PAIN MEDICINE (MALDEN, MASS.) 2018; 19:79-96. [PMID: 28419384 PMCID: PMC5939871 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnx038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Objective To characterize the risk factors associated with overdose or serious opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD) among medical users of prescription opioids in a commercially insured population (CIP) and to compare risk factor profiles between the CIP and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) population. Subjects and Methods Analysis of data from 18,365,497 patients in the IMS PharMetrics Plus health plan claims database (CIP) who were dispensed a prescription opioid in 2009 to 2013. Baseline factors associated with an event of serious OIRD among 7,234 cases and 28,932 controls were identified using multivariable logistic regression. The CIP risk factor profile was compared with that from a corresponding logistic regression among 817 VHA cases and 8,170 controls in 2010 to 2012. Results The strongest associations with serious OIRD in CIP were diagnosed substance use disorder (odds ratio [OR] = 10.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 9.06-11.40) and depression (OR = 3.12, 95% CI = 2.84-3.42). Other strongly associated factors included other mental health disorders; impaired liver, renal, vascular, and pulmonary function; prescribed fentanyl, methadone, and morphine; higher daily opioid doses; and concurrent psychoactive medications. These risk factors, except depression, vascular disease, and specific opioids, largely aligned with VHA despite CIP being substantially younger, including more females and less chronic disease, and having greater prescribing prevalence of higher daily opioid doses, specific opioids, and most selected nonopioids. Conclusions Risk factor profiles for serious OIRD among US medical users of prescription opioids with private or public health insurance were largely concordant despite substantial differences between the populations in demographics, clinical conditions, health care delivery systems, and clinical practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pramit A Nadpara
- Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, Richmond, Virginia
| | | | | | - Nathan W Carroll
- Department of Health Service Administration, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Norman V Carroll
- Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Marie Barnard
- Department of Leadership and Counselor Education, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi, USA
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20
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Elzey MJ, Fudin J, Edwards ES. Take-home naloxone treatment for opioid emergencies: a comparison of routes of administration and associated delivery systems. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2016; 14:1045-1058. [PMID: 27606669 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2017.1230097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Naloxone reversal of opioid-induced respiratory depression outside of medical facilities has become more prevalent because of the escalating opioid epidemic in the USA. Take-home naloxone for treatment of opioid emergencies is now being recommended by numerous federal, state, and professional organizations. Areas covered: The scope of the opioid overdose epidemic is reviewed along with practical, clinical, regulatory, and usability considerations for take-home naloxone routes of administration currently available and associated delivery systems. Specific opioid-related factors are discussed in detail with emphasis placed on life-threatening respiratory depression and naloxone antagonism. A clinical overview, including pharmacokinetic and FDA approval information for each take-home naloxone product is discussed in detail as well as the impact of take-home naloxone in the community. Finally, given these products are to be used in a panic-stricken, life-threatening opioid emergency, an analysis of available usability data is provided with proposed directions for further study. Expert opinion: Based on the available clinical evidence, auto-injectable naloxone should be the preferred administration route for take-home naloxone treatment until additional safety, efficacy, and comparative outcomes data are available for unconventional routes of administration that unequivocally provide equal or superior results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Elzey
- a Medical Affairs , kaleo, Inc ., Richmond , VA , USA
| | - Jeffrey Fudin
- b Scientific and Clinical Affairs at Remitigate, LLC , Delmar , NY , USA.,c PGY2 Pharmacy Pain Management, Stratton VA Medical Center , Albany , NY , USA.,d Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences , Albany , NY , USA.,e Western New England University College of Pharmacy , Springfield , MA , USA
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21
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Sorg MH, Long DL, Abate MA, Kaplan JA, Kraner JC, Greenwald MS, Andrew TA, Shapiro SL, Wren JA. Additive Effects of Cointoxicants in Single-Opioid Induced Deaths. Acad Forensic Pathol 2016; 6:532-542. [PMID: 29399239 PMCID: PMC5794021 DOI: 10.23907/2016.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
A forensic drug database (FDD) was used to capture comprehensive data from all drug-related deaths in West Virginia, with deaths also included from the northern New England states of Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. All four states serve predominantly rural populations under two million and all have similar state medical examiner systems that employ statewide uniform death certification policies and practices. This study focused on 1482 single opioid deaths (fentanyl, hydrocodone, methadone, and oxycodone) in the FDD from 2007-2011. We modeled relationships between the opioid concentrations and the presence or absence of the following commonly occurring non-opioid cointoxicants: benzodiazepines (alprazolam and diazepam), alcohol, tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and diphenhydramine. Additional covariates of state, age, body mass index, and sex were included. Results showed that the presence of alcohol, benzodiazepines, and antidepressants were each associated with statistically significant lower concentrations of some but not all of the opioids studied, which may obscure the interpretation of postmortem toxicology results alone. Fentanyl concentrations appeared to be the least associated with the presence or absence of the variables studied, and cointoxicant alcohol appeared to be associated with lower concentrations in opioid concentrations than were most of the other factors in the model studied. These findings underscore the importance of documenting all potential cointoxicants in opioid-related deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - D. Leann Long
- West Virginia University School of Public Health -
Statistics
| | | | - James A. Kaplan
- West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources - Office
of the Chief Medical Examiner
| | - James C. Kraner
- West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources - Office
of the Chief Medical Examiner
| | | | | | - Steven L. Shapiro
- Office of Chief Medical Examiner - Vermont State Department of
Health
| | - Jamie A. Wren
- University of Maine - Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center
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Tjäderborn M, Jönsson AK, Sandström TZ, Ahlner J, Hägg S. Non-prescribed use of psychoactive prescription drugs among drug-impaired drivers in Sweden. Drug Alcohol Depend 2016; 161:77-85. [PMID: 26875672 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To determine the prevalence of non-prescribed drug use among subjects suspected of drug-impaired driving with a psychoactive prescription drug, and to identify associated factors. METHODS Subjects investigated for drug-impaired driving in Sweden during 2006-2009 with a confirmed intake of diazepam, flunitrazepam, tramadol, zolpidem or zopiclone were identified using the Swedish Forensic Toxicology Database. Information on dispensed prescription drugs was retrieved from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. Non-prescribed use was our outcome, defined as a psychoactive prescription drug intake confirmed by toxicological analysis in a subject by whom it was not dispensed in the 12 months preceding the sampling. Prevalence proportions were calculated for each drug and logistic regression was used to identify associated factors. RESULTS In total, 2225 subjects were included. The median age (range) was 34 (15-80) years and 1864 (83.8%) subjects were male. Non-prescribed use was found in 1513 subjects (58.7%); for flunitrazepam 103 (76.3%), diazepam 1098 (74.1%), tramadol 192 (40.3%), zopiclone 60 (29.7%), and zolpidem 60 (21.2%) subjects, respectively. Younger age and multiple-substance use were associated with non-prescribed use, whereas ongoing treatment with other psychoactive drugs was negatively associated with non-prescribed use. CONCLUSIONS Non-prescribed use of psychoactive prescription drugs was common in subjects suspected of drug-impaired driving and was more frequent for benzodiazepines and tramadol compared to zolpidem and zopiclone. The young and multi-substance users were more likely, whereas subjects with ongoing prescribed treatment with other psychoactive drugs were less likely, to use non-prescribed drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micaela Tjäderborn
- Division of Drug Research/Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Anna K Jönsson
- Division of Drug Research/Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Tatiana Zverkova Sandström
- Institute of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Johan Ahlner
- Division of Drug Research/Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Staffan Hägg
- Division of Drug Research/Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Futurum, Academy for Health and Care, Region Jönköping County, Jönköping, Sweden
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Lavonas EJ, Drennan IR, Gabrielli A, Heffner AC, Hoyte CO, Orkin AM, Sawyer KN, Donnino MW. Part 10: Special Circumstances of Resuscitation: 2015 American Heart Association Guidelines Update for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Circulation 2016; 132:S501-18. [PMID: 26472998 DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000000264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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American College Of Medical Toxicology. ACMT Position Statement: The Use of Methadone as an Analgesic. J Med Toxicol 2016; 12:213-5. [PMID: 26746475 DOI: 10.1007/s13181-015-0532-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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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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Meyer R, Patel AM, Rattana SK, Quock TP, Mody SH. Prescription opioid abuse: a literature review of the clinical and economic burden in the United States. Popul Health Manag 2015; 17:372-87. [PMID: 25075734 DOI: 10.1089/pop.2013.0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Between 2002 and 2007, the nonmedical use of prescription pain relievers grew from 11.0 million to 12.5 million people in the United States. Societal costs attributable to prescription opioid abuse were estimated at $55.7 billion in 2007. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively review the recent clinical and economic evaluations of prescription opioid abuse. A comprehensive literature search was conducted for studies published from 2002 to 2012. Articles were included if they were original research studies in English that reported the clinical and economic burden associated with prescription opioid abuse. A total of 23 studies (183 unique citations identified, 54 articles subjected to full text review) were included in this review and analysis. Findings from the review demonstrated that rates of opioid overdose-related deaths ranged from 5528 deaths in 2002 to 14,800 in 2008. Furthermore, overdose reportedly results in 830,652 years of potential life lost before age 65. Opioid abusers were generally more likely to utilize medical services, such as emergency department, physician outpatient visits, and inpatient hospital stays, relative to non-abusers. When compared to a matched control group (non-abusers), mean annual excess health care costs for opioid abusers with private insurance ranged from $14,054 to $20,546. Similarly, the mean annual excess health care costs for opioid abusers with Medicaid ranged from $5874 to $15,183. The issue of opioid abuse has significant clinical and economic consequences for patients, health care providers, commercial and government payers, and society as a whole.
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Zedler B, Xie L, Wang L, Joyce A, Vick C, Brigham J, Kariburyo F, Baser O, Murrelle L. Development of a Risk Index for Serious Prescription Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression or Overdose in Veterans' Health Administration Patients. PAIN MEDICINE (MALDEN, MASS.) 2015; 16:1566-79. [PMID: 26077738 PMCID: PMC4744747 DOI: 10.1111/pme.12777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Develop a risk index to estimate the likelihood of life-threatening respiratory depression or overdose among medical users of prescription opioids. SUBJECTS, DESIGN, AND METHODS A case-control analysis of administrative health care data from the Veterans' Health Administration identified 1,877,841 patients with a pharmacy record for an opioid prescription between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2012. Overdose or serious opioid-induced respiratory depression (OSORD) occurred in 817. Ten controls were selected per case (n = 8,170). Items for an OSORD risk index (RIOSORD) were selected through logistic regression modeling, with point values assigned to each predictor. Modeling of risk index scores produced predicted probabilities of OSORD; risk classes were defined by the predicted probability distribution. RESULTS Fifteen variables most highly associated with OSORD were retained as items, including mental health disorders and pharmacotherapy; impaired drug metabolism or excretion; pulmonary disorders; specific opioid characteristics; and recent hospital visits. The average predicted probability of experiencing OSORD ranged from 3% in the lowest risk decile to 94% in the highest, with excellent agreement between predicted and observed incidence across risk classes. The model's C-statistic was 0.88 and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistic 10.8 (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION RIOSORD performed well in identifying medical users of prescription opioids within the Veterans' Health Administration at elevated risk of overdose or life-threatening respiratory depression, those most likely to benefit from preventive interventions. This novel, clinically practical, risk index is intended to provide clinical decision support for safer pain management. It should be assessed, and refined as necessary, in a more generalizable population, and prospectively evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lin Xie
- STATinMED ResearchAnn ArborMichigan
| | - Li Wang
- STATinMED ResearchAnn ArborMichigan
| | | | | | | | | | - Onur Baser
- STATinMED ResearchAnn ArborMichigan
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
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Visconti AJ, Santos GM, Lemos NP, Burke C, Coffin PO. Opioid Overdose Deaths in the City and County of San Francisco: Prevalence, Distribution, and Disparities. J Urban Health 2015; 92:758-72. [PMID: 26077643 PMCID: PMC4524842 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-015-9967-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Drug overdose is now the leading cause of unintentional death nationwide, driven by increased prescription opioid overdoses. To better understand urban opioid overdose deaths, this paper examines geographic, demographic, and clinical differences between heroin-related decedents and prescription opioid decedents in San Francisco from 2010 to 2012. During this time period, 331 individuals died from accidental overdose caused by opioids (310 involving prescription opioids and 31 involving heroin). Deaths most commonly involved methadone (45.9%), morphine (26.9%), and oxycodone (21.8%). Most deaths also involved other substances (74.9%), most commonly cocaine (35.3%), benzodiazepines (27.5%), antidepressants (22.7%), and alcohol (19.6%). Deaths were concentrated in a small, high-poverty, central area of San Francisco and disproportionately affected African-American individuals. Decedents in high-poverty areas were significantly more likely to die from methadone and cocaine, whereas individuals from more affluent areas were more likely die from oxycodone and benzodiazepines. Heroin decedents were more likely to be within a younger age demographic, die in public spaces, and have illicit substances rather than other prescription opioids. Overall, heroin overdose death, previously common in San Francisco, is now rare. Prescription opioid overdose has emerged as a significant concern, particularly among individuals in high-poverty areas. Deaths in poor and affluent regions involve different causative opioids and co-occurring substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Visconti
- San Francisco Department of Public Health, 25 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA, 94102, USA,
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Blanch B, Pearson SA, Haber PS. An overview of the patterns of prescription opioid use, costs and related harms in Australia. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2015; 78:1159-66. [PMID: 24962372 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.12446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS To report Australian population trends in subsidized prescribed opioid use, total costs to the Australian government to subsidize these medicines and opioid-related harms based on hospitalizations and accidental poisoning deaths. METHODS We utilized three national aggregated data sources including dispensing claims from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, opioid-related hospitalizations from the National Hospital Morbidity Database and accidental poisoning deaths from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. RESULTS Between 1992 and 2012, opioid dispensing episodes increased 15-fold (500 000 to 7.5 million) and the corresponding cost to the Australian government increased 32-fold ($8.5 million to $271 million). Opioid-related harms also increased. Opioid-related hospitalizations increased from 605 to 1464 cases (1998-2009), outnumbering hospitalizations due to heroin poisonings since 2001. Deaths due to accidental poisoning (pharmaceutical opioids and illicit substances combined) increased from 151 to 266 (2002-2011), resulting in a rise in the death rate of 0.78 to 1.19 deaths/100 000 population over 10 years. Death rates increased 1.8 fold in males and 1.4 fold in females. CONCLUSIONS The striking increase in opioid use and related harms in Australia is consistent with trends observed in other jurisdictions. Further, there is no evidence to suggest these increases are plateauing. There is currently limited evidence in Australia about individual patterns of opioid use and the associated risk of adverse events. Further research should focus on these important issues so as to provide important evidence supporting effective change in policy and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Blanch
- Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmaceutical Policy Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, A15 - Pharmacy & Bank Building, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
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Gladstone EJ, Smolina K, Morgan SG. Trends and sex differences in prescription opioid deaths in British Columbia, Canada. Inj Prev 2015. [DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2015-041604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Fields MD, Abate MA, Hu L, Long DL, Blommel ML, Haikal NA, Kraner JC. Parent and Metabolite Opioid Drug Concentrations in Unintentional Deaths Involving Opioid and Benzodiazepine Combinations. J Forensic Sci 2015; 60:950-6. [PMID: 26223761 PMCID: PMC4944848 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.12807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2013] [Revised: 04/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Effects of benzodiazepines on postmortem opioid parent and parent/metabolite blood concentration ratios were determined for fentanyl-, hydrocodone-, methadone-, or oxycodone-related accidental deaths. These opioids are partially metabolized by the CYP3A4 enzyme system, which is also affected by diazepam and alprazolam. Opioid/metabolite combinations examined were as follows: fentanyl/norfentanyl, hydrocodone/dihydrocodeine, methadone/EDDP, and oxycodone/oxymorphone. Parent opioid concentrations were analyzed for 877 deaths. Parent/metabolite concentration ratios were analyzed for 349 deaths, excluding cases with co-intoxicants present known to interfere with opioid elimination. Alprazolam in combination with diazepam significantly decreased median hydrocodone concentrations by 48% (p = 0.01) compared to hydrocodone alone. The methadone parent/metabolite concentration ratio was reduced by 35% in the presence of diazepam compared to methadone alone (p = 0.03). Benzodiazepines did not statistically significantly affect fentanyl or oxycodone concentrations. Possible factors affecting opioid concentrations and possible toxicity development, including any differential effects on specific opioids, should continue to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia D. Fields
- West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, 1124 Health Sciences North, Morgantown, WV
| | - Marie A. Abate
- West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, 1124 Health Sciences North, Morgantown, WV
| | - Lan Hu
- West Virginia University School of Public Health, Morgantown, WV
| | - D. Leann Long
- West Virginia University School of Public Health, Morgantown, WV
| | - Matthew L. Blommel
- West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, 1124 Health Sciences North, Morgantown, WV
| | - Nabila A. Haikal
- West Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Charleston, WV
| | - James C. Kraner
- West Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Charleston, WV
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Alinejad S, Kazemi T, Zamani N, Hoffman RS, Mehrpour O. A systematic review of the cardiotoxicity of methadone. EXCLI JOURNAL 2015; 14:577-600. [PMID: 26869865 PMCID: PMC4747000 DOI: 10.17179/excli2015-553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Methadone is one of the most popular synthetic opioids in the world with some favorable properties making it useful both in the treatment of moderate to severe pain and for opioid addiction. Increased use of methadone has resulted in an increased prevalence of its toxicity, one aspect of which is cardiotoxicity. In this paper, we review the effects of methadone on the heart as well as cardiac concerns in some special situations such as pregnancy and childhood. METHODS We searched for the terms methadone, toxicity, poisoning, cardiotoxicity, heart, dysrhythmia, arrhythmia, QT interval prolongation, torsade de pointes, and Electrocardiogram (ECG) in bibliographical databases including TUMS digital library, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. This review includes relevant articles published between 2000 and 2013. The main cardiac effects of methadone include prolongation of QT interval and torsade de pointes. Other effects include changes in QT dispersion, pathological U waves, Taku-Tsubo syndrome (stress cardiomyopathy), Brugada-like syndrome, and coronary artery diseases. The aim of this paper is to inform physicians and health care staff about these adverse effects. Effectiveness of methadone in the treatment of pain and addiction should be weighed against these adverse effects and physicians should consider the ways to lessen such undesirable effects. This article presents some recommendations to prevent heart toxicity in methadone users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Alinejad
- Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences,Birjand, Iran
| | - Toba Kazemi
- Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences,Birjand, Iran
| | - Nasim Zamani
- Department of Clinical Toxicology, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Robert S. Hoffman
- Division of Medical Toxicology, Ronald O. Pereleman Department of Emergency Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Omid Mehrpour
- Medical Toxicology and Drug Abuse Research Center (MTDRC), Birjand University of Medical Sciences (BUMS), Pasdaran Avenue, Birjand, 9713643138 Iran
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Hall T, Chassler D, Blom B, Grahn R, Blom-Nilsson M, Sullivan L, Lundgren L. Mortality among a national population sentenced to compulsory care for substance use disorders in Sweden: descriptive study. EVALUATION AND PROGRAM PLANNING 2015; 49:153-162. [PMID: 25577663 DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2014.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Sweden's compulsory addiction system treats individuals with severe alcohol and narcotics use disorders. Merging data from three national level register databases of those sentenced to compulsory care from 2001 to 2009 (n=4515), the aims of this study were to: (1) compute mortality rates to compare to the general Swedish population; (2) identify leading cause of mortality by alcohol or narcotics use; and (3) identify individual level characteristics associated with mortality among alcohol and narcotics users. In this population, 24% were deceased by 2011. The most common cause of death for alcohol users was physical ailments linked to alcohol use, while narcotics users commonly died of drug poisoning or suicide. Average age of death differed significantly between alcohol users (55.0) and narcotics users (32.5). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified the same three factors predicting mortality: older age (alcohol users OR=1.28, narcotic users OR=1.16), gender [males were nearly 3 times more likely to die among narcotics users (p<.000) and 1.6 times more likely to die among alcohol users (p<.01)] and reporting serious health problems (for alcohol users p<.000, for narcotics users p<.05). Enhanced program and government efforts are needed to implement overdose-prevention efforts and different treatment modalities for both narcotic and alcohol users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Hall
- Center for Addictions Research and Services, Boston University School of Social Work, 264 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | - Deborah Chassler
- Center for Addictions Research and Services, Boston University School of Social Work, 264 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Björn Blom
- Department of Social Work, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Robert Grahn
- Department of Social Work, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Lisa Sullivan
- Boston University School of Public Health, Crosstown Center, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Lena Lundgren
- Center for Addictions Research and Services, Boston University School of Social Work, 264 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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Weimer MB, Chou R. Research gaps on methadone harms and comparative harms: findings from a review of the evidence for an American Pain Society and College on Problems of Drug Dependence clinical practice guideline. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2014; 15:366-76. [PMID: 24685460 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2014.01.496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2013] [Revised: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Methadone-associated overdose deaths have dramatically increased. In order to inform an evidence-based clinical practice guideline to improve safety of methadone prescribing, the American Pain Society commissioned a systematic review on various aspects related to methadone safety. We searched Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO databases through July 2012 to identify studies that addressed 1 or more of 17 Key Questions related to methadone safety; an update search was performed in 2014 for new studies related to methadone-related overdose and risks related to cardiac arrhythmias. A total of 168 studies met inclusion criteria for the review. The purpose of this article is to highlight critical research gaps in the literature related to methadone safety. These include lack of evidence on risk factors associated with methadone-overdose deaths and adverse events, limited evidence to evaluate the comparative mortality of methadone versus other opioids, insufficient evidence to fully understand the harms associated with methadone use during pregnancy, and insufficient evidence to determine effects of risk mitigation strategies such as electrocardiogram monitoring, strategies for managing patients with prolonged QTc intervals on screening, urine drug testing, alternative dosing regimens for initiation and titration of therapy, and timing of follow-up. Therefore, most guideline recommendations are based on weak evidence. More research is needed to guide safe methadone prescribing practices and decrease the adverse events associated with methadone. PERSPECTIVE This article summarizes critical research gaps in the literature related to methadone safety, based on a systematic review commissioned by the American Pain Society. Critical research gaps were identified in a number of areas, highlighting the need for additional research to guide safer prescribing and risk mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa B Weimer
- Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Roger Chou
- Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon.
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Chou R, Cruciani RA, Fiellin DA, Compton P, Farrar JT, Haigney MC, Inturrisi C, Knight JR, Otis-Green S, Marcus SM, Mehta D, Meyer MC, Portenoy R, Savage S, Strain E, Walsh S, Zeltzer L. Methadone safety: a clinical practice guideline from the American Pain Society and College on Problems of Drug Dependence, in collaboration with the Heart Rhythm Society. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2014; 15:321-37. [PMID: 24685458 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2014.01.494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2013] [Revised: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Methadone is used for the treatment of opioid addiction and for treatment of chronic pain. The safety of methadone has been called into question by data indicating a large increase in the number of methadone-associated overdose deaths in recent years that has occurred in parallel with a dramatic rise in the use of methadone for chronic pain. The American Pain Society and the College on Problems of Drug Dependence, in collaboration with the Heart Rhythm Society, commissioned an interdisciplinary expert panel to develop a clinical practice guideline on safer prescribing of methadone for treatment of opioid addiction and chronic pain. As part of the guideline development process, the American Pain Society commissioned a systematic review of various aspects related to safety of methadone. After a review of the available evidence, the expert panel concluded that measures can be taken to promote safer use of methadone. Specific recommendations include the need to educate and counsel patients on methadone safety, use of electrocardiography to identify persons at greater risk for methadone-associated arrhythmia, use of alternative opioids in patients at high risk of complications related to corrected electrocardiographic QTc interval prolongation, careful dose initiation and titration of methadone, and diligent monitoring and follow-up. Although these guidelines are based on a systematic review, the panel identified numerous research gaps, most recommendations were based on low-quality evidence, and no recommendations were based on high-quality evidence. PERSPECTIVE This guideline, based on a systematic review of the evidence on methadone safety, provides recommendations developed by a multidisciplinary expert panel. Safe use of methadone requires clinical skills and knowledge in use of methadone to mitigate potential risks, including serious risks related to risk of overdose and cardiac arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Chou
- Departments of Medicine and Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health & Science University, and Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center, Portland, Oregon.
| | - Ricardo A Cruciani
- Department of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - David A Fiellin
- School of Public Health, Department of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | | | - John T Farrar
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Mark C Haigney
- Cardiology Uniformed Services, University of the Health Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Charles Inturrisi
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - John R Knight
- Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shirley Otis-Green
- Division of Nursing Research and Education, Department of Population Sciences, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
| | - Steven M Marcus
- School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Davendra Mehta
- Departments of Medicine and Cardiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Marjorie C Meyer
- Departments of Gynecology and Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Russell Portenoy
- Department of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Seddon Savage
- Department of Anesthesiology, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Eric Strain
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sharon Walsh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Lonnie Zeltzer
- Pediatric Pain Program, Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
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An update on oxycodone: lessons for death investigators in Australia. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2014; 11:3-12. [DOI: 10.1007/s12024-014-9624-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Staab C. My Trauma Patient Takes Methadone: How Do I Manage His Pain? J Emerg Nurs 2014; 40:509-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jen.2014.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Revised: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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King NB, Fraser V, Boikos C, Richardson R, Harper S. Determinants of increased opioid-related mortality in the United States and Canada, 1990-2013: a systematic review. Am J Public Health 2014; 104:e32-42. [PMID: 24922138 PMCID: PMC4103240 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2014.301966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
We review evidence of determinants contributing to increased opioid-related mortality in the United States and Canada between 1990 and 2013. We identified 17 determinants of opioid-related mortality and mortality increases that we classified into 3 categories: prescriber behavior, user behavior and characteristics, and environmental and systemic determinants. These determinants operate independently but interact in complex ways that vary according to geography and population, making generalization from single studies inadvisable. Researchers in this area face significant methodological difficulties; most of the studies in our review were ecological or observational and lacked control groups or adjustment for confounding factors; thus, causal inferences are difficult. Preventing additional opioid-related mortality will likely require interventions that address multiple determinants and are tailored to specific locations and populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas B King
- Nicholas B. King is with the Biomedical Ethics Unit and the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec. Veronique Fraser is with the Biomedical Ethics Unit, McGill University. Constantina Boikos, Robin Richardson, and Sam Harper are with the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University
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Zedler B, Xie L, Wang L, Joyce A, Vick C, Kariburyo F, Rajan P, Baser O, Murrelle L. Risk factors for serious prescription opioid-related toxicity or overdose among Veterans Health Administration patients. PAIN MEDICINE 2014; 15:1911-29. [PMID: 24931395 DOI: 10.1111/pme.12480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Prescription opioid use and deaths related to serious toxicity, including overdose, have increased dramatically in the United States since 1999. However, factors associated with serious opioid-related respiratory or central nervous system (CNS) depression or overdose in medical users are not well characterized. The objective of this study was to examine the factors associated with serious toxicity in medical users of prescription opioids. DESIGN Retrospective, nested, case-control analysis of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical, pharmacy, and health care resource utilization administrative data. SUBJECTS Patients dispensed an opioid by VHA between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2012 (N=8,987). METHODS Cases (N=817) experienced life-threatening opioid-related respiratory/CNS depression or overdose. Ten controls were randomly assigned to each case (N=8,170). Logistic regression was used to examine associations with the outcome. RESULTS The strongest associations were maximum prescribed daily morphine equivalent dose (MED)≥ 100 mg (odds ratio [OR]=4.1, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6-6.5), history of opioid dependence (OR=3.9, 95% CI, 2.6-5.8), and hospitalization during the 6 months before the serious toxicity or overdose event (OR=2.9, 95% CI, 2.3-3.6). Liver disease, extended-release or long-acting opioids, and daily MED of 20 mg or more were also significantly associated. CONCLUSIONS Substantial risk for serious opioid-related toxicity and overdose exists at even relatively low maximum prescribed daily MED, especially in patients already vulnerable due to underlying demographic factors, comorbid conditions, and concomitant use of CNS depressant medications or substances. Screening patients for risk, providing education, and coprescribing naloxone for those at elevated risk may be effective at reducing serious opioid-related respiratory/CNS depression and overdose in medical users of prescription opioids.
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Nosyk B, Fischer B, Sun H, Marsh DC, Kerr T, Rehm JT, Anis AH. High levels of opioid analgesic co-prescription among methadone maintenance treatment clients in British Columbia, Canada: results from a population-level retrospective cohort study. Am J Addict 2014; 23:257-64. [PMID: 24724883 PMCID: PMC4033518 DOI: 10.1111/j.1521-0391.2014.12091.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2013] [Revised: 04/22/2013] [Accepted: 06/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The non-medical use of prescription opioids (PO) has increased dramatically in North America. Special consideration for PO prescription is required for individuals in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). Our objective is to describe the prevalence and correlates of PO use among British Columbia (BC) MMT clients from 1996 to 2007. METHODS This study was based on a linked, population-level medication dispensation database. All individuals receiving 30 days of continuous MMT for opioid dependence were included in the study. Key measurements included the proportion of clients receiving >7 days of a PO other than methadone during MMT from 1996 to 2007. Factors independently associated with PO co-prescription during MMT were assessed using generalized linear mixed effects regression. RESULTS 16,248 individuals with 27,919 MMT episodes at least 30 days in duration were identified for the study period. Among them, 5,552 individuals (34.2%) received a total of 290,543 PO co-prescriptions during MMT. The majority (74.3%) of all PO dispensations >7 days originated from non-MMT physicians. The number of PO prescriptions per person-year nearly doubled between 1996 and 2006, driven by increases in morphine, hydromorphone and oxycodone dispensations. PO co-prescription was positively associated with female gender, older age, higher levels of medical co-morbidity as well as higher MMT dosage, adherence, and retention. CONCLUSION AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE A large proportion of MMT clients in BC received co-occurring PO prescriptions, often from physicians and pharmacies not delivering MMT. Experimental evidence for the treatment of pain in MMT clients is required to guide clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohdan Nosyk
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
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Havnes IA, Clausen T, Middelthon AL. Execution of control among ‘non-compliant’, imprisoned individuals in opioid maintenance treatment. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2014; 25:480-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2013] [Revised: 01/17/2014] [Accepted: 01/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Methadone is a well-studied, safe, and effective medication when dispensed and consumed properly. However, a number of studies have identified elevated rates of overdose and death in patients being treated with methadone for either addiction or chronic pain. Among patients being treated with methadone in federally certified opioid treatment programs, deaths most often occur during the induction and stabilization phases of treatment. To address this issue, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration invited the American Society of Addiction Medicine to convene an expert panel to develop a consensus statement on methadone induction and stabilization, with recommendations to reduce the risk of patient overdose or death related to methadone maintenance treatment of addiction. METHODS A comprehensive literature search of English-language publications (1979-2011) was conducted via MEDLINE and EMBASE. Methadone Action Group members evaluated the resulting information and collaborated in formulating the consensus statement presented here, which subsequently was reviewed by more than 100 experts in the field. RESULTS Published data indicate that deaths during methadone induction occur because the initial dose is too high, the dose is increased too rapidly, or the prescribed methadone interacts with another drug. Therefore, the Methadone Action Group has developed recommendations to help methadone providers avoid or minimize these risks. CONCLUSIONS Careful management of methadone induction and stabilization, coupled with patient education and increased clinical vigilance, can save lives in this vulnerable patient population.
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Cerdá M, Ransome Y, Keyes KM, Koenen KC, Tardiff K, Vlahov D, Galea S. Revisiting the role of the urban environment in substance use: the case of analgesic overdose fatalities. Am J Public Health 2013; 103:2252-60. [PMID: 24134362 PMCID: PMC3828967 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2013.301347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We examined whether neighborhood social characteristics (income distribution and family fragmentation) and physical characteristics (clean sidewalks and dilapidated housing) were associated with the risk of fatalities caused by analgesic overdose. METHODS In a case-control study, we compared 447 unintentional analgesic opioid overdose fatalities (cases) with 3436 unintentional nonoverdose fatalities and 2530 heroin overdose fatalities (controls) occurring in 59 New York City neighborhoods between 2000 and 2006. RESULTS Analgesic overdose fatalities were less likely than nonoverdose unintentional fatalities to have occurred in higher-income neighborhoods (odds ratio [OR] = 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.70, 0.96) and more likely to have occurred in fragmented neighborhoods (OR = 1.35; 95% CI = 1.05, 1.72). They were more likely than heroin overdose fatalities to have occurred in higher-income (OR = 1.31; 95% CI = 1.12, 1.54) and less fragmented (OR = 0.71; 95% CI = 0.55, 0.92) neighborhoods. CONCLUSIONS Analgesic overdose fatalities exhibit spatial patterns that are distinct from those of heroin and nonoverdose unintentional fatalities. Whereas analgesic fatalities typically occur in lower-income, more fragmented neighborhoods than nonoverdose fatalities, they tend to occur in higher-income, less unequal, and less fragmented neighborhoods than heroin fatalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Cerdá
- Magdalena Cerdá, Katherine M. Keyes, Karestan C. Koenen and Sandro Galea are with the Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY. Yusuf Ransome is with the Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Kenneth Tardiff is with the Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY. David Vlahov is with the School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco
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Hall MT, Leukefeld CG, Havens JR. Factors associated with high-frequency illicit methadone use among rural Appalachian drug users. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2013; 39:241-6. [PMID: 23841864 DOI: 10.3109/00952990.2013.805761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years there has been a sharp increase in the use of illicit methadone as well as methadone-related overdose deaths. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to describe factors associated with low- and high-frequency methadone use in a cohort of rural Appalachian drug users. METHODS Interviews assessing sociodemographics, illicit drug use and drug treatment, psychiatric disorders, health and sociometric drug network characteristics were conducted with 503 rural drug users between 2008 and 2010. A two-level mixed effects regression model was utilized to differentiate low- (one use per month or less in the past six months) versus high-frequency (daily or weekly use in the past six months) illicit methadone users. RESULTS The lifetime prevalence of illicit methadone use in this population was 94.7% (n = 476) and slightly less than half (46.3%) were high-frequency users. In the mixed effects regression model, initiating illicit methadone use at a younger age was associated with high-frequency illicit methadone use. Taking a prescribed medication for a physical problem, undergoing additional weeks of outpatient drug free treatment, daily OxyContin® use in the past month, and having fewer ties and second-order connections in the drug network reduced the odds of high-frequency illicit methadone use. CONCLUSIONS Rates of illicit methadone use and high-frequency illicit methadone use among this sample of rural drug users were considerably higher than those previously reported in the literature. Health practitioners in rural areas should routinely screen for illicit opioid use, including methadone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin T Hall
- Kent School of Social Work, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
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Modarai F, Mack K, Hicks P, Benoit S, Park S, Jones C, Proescholdbell S, Ising A, Paulozzi L. Relationship of opioid prescription sales and overdoses, North Carolina. Drug Alcohol Depend 2013; 132:81-6. [PMID: 23399467 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2012] [Revised: 01/05/2013] [Accepted: 01/12/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the United States, fatal drug overdoses have tripled since 1991. This escalation in deaths is believed to be driven primarily by prescription opioid medications. This investigation compared trends and patterns in sales of opioids, opioid drug overdoses treated in emergency departments (EDs), and unintentional overdose deaths in North Carolina (NC). METHODS Our ecological study compared rates of opioid sales, opioid related ED overdoses, and unintentional drug overdose deaths in NC. Annual sales data, provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration, for select opioids were converted into morphine equivalents and aggregated by zip code. These opioid drug sales rates were trended from 1997 to 2010. In addition, opioid sales were correlated and compared to opioid related ED visits, which came from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention syndromic surveillance system, and unintentional overdose deaths, which came from NC Vital Statistics, from 2008 to 2010. Finally, spatial cluster analysis was performed and rates were mapped by zip code in 2010. RESULTS Opioid sales increased substantially from 1997 to 2010. From 2008 to 2010, the quarterly rates of opioid drug overdoses treated in EDs and opioid sales correlated (r=0.68, p=0.02). Specific regions of the state, particularly in the southern and western corners, had both high rates of prescription opioid sales and overdoses. CONCLUSIONS Temporal trends in sales of prescription opioids correlate with trends in opioid related ED visits. The spatial correlation of opioid sales with ED visit rates shows that opioid sales data may be a timely way to identify high-risk communities in the absence of timely ED data.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Modarai
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, Mailstop F-62, Atlanta, GA 30341, United States.
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Cerdá M, Ransome Y, Keyes KM, Koenen KC, Tracy M, Tardiff KJ, Vlahov D, Galea S. Prescription opioid mortality trends in New York City, 1990-2006: examining the emergence of an epidemic. Drug Alcohol Depend 2013; 132:53-62. [PMID: 23357743 PMCID: PMC3748247 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2012] [Revised: 12/29/2012] [Accepted: 12/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The drug overdose mortality rate tripled between 1990 and 2006; prescription opioids have driven this epidemic. We examined the period 1990-2006 to inform our understanding of how the current prescription opioid overdose epidemic emerged in urban areas. METHODS We used data from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to examine changes in demographic and spatial patterns in overdose fatalities induced by prescription opioids (i.e., analgesics and methadone) in New York City (NYC) in 1990-2006, and what factors were associated with death from prescription opioids vs. heroin, historically the most prevalent form of opioid overdose in urban areas. RESULTS Analgesic-induced overdose fatalities were the only types of overdose fatalities to increase in 1990-2006 in NYC; the fatality rate increased sevenfold from 0.39 in 1990 to 2.7 per 100,000 persons in 2006. Whites and Latinos were the only racial/ethnic groups to exhibit an increase in overdose-related mortality. Relative to heroin overdose decedents, analgesic and methadone overdose decedents were more likely to be female and to concurrently use psychotherapeutic drugs, but less likely to concurrently use alcohol or cocaine. Analgesic overdose decedents were less likely to be Black or Hispanic, while methadone overdose decedents were more likely to be Black or Hispanic in contrast to heroin overdose decedents. CONCLUSIONS The distinct epidemiologic profiles exhibited by analgesic and methadone overdose fatalities highlight the need to define drug-specific public health prevention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Cerdá
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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Chevillard L, Declèves X, Baud FJ, Risède P, Mégarbane B. Respiratory effects of diazepam/methadone combination in rats: a study based on concentration/effect relationships. Drug Alcohol Depend 2013; 131:298-307. [PMID: 23332448 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2012] [Revised: 12/12/2012] [Accepted: 12/18/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methadone may cause respiratory depression and fatalities. Concomitant use of benzodiazepines in methadone-treated patients for chronic pain or as maintenance therapy for opiate abuse is common. However, the exact contribution of benzodiazepines to methadone-induced respiratory toxicity remains debatable. METHODS We investigated the respiratory effects of the combination diazepam (20mg/kg)/methadone (5mg/kg) in the rat, focusing on methadone concentration/effect relationships. Respiratory effects were studied using arterial blood gases and whole-body plethysmography. Plasma concentrations of both R- and S-methadone enantiomers were measured using high-performance liquid chiral chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. To clarify mechanisms of diazepam/methadone interaction, methadone metabolism was investigated in vitro using rat liver microsomes. RESULTS Diazepam/methadone co-administration significantly increased methadone-related effects on inspiratory time (p<0.001) but did not significantly alter the other respiratory parameters when compared with methadone alone, despite significant increase in the area under the curve of plasma R-methadone concentrations measured during 240 min (p<0.05). Diazepam/methadone co-incubation with microsomes in vitro resulted in a significant inhibition of methadone metabolism (p<0.01), with 50%-inhibitory diazepam concentrations of 25.02 ± 0.18 μmol/L and 25.18 ± 0.23 μmol/L for R- and S-methadone, respectively. CONCLUSION We concluded that co-administration of high-doses of diazepam and methadone in rats is not responsible for additional respiratory depression in comparison to methadone alone, despite significant metabolic interaction between the drugs. In humans, although our experimental data may suggest the relative safety of benzodiazepine/methadone co-prescription, physicians should remain cautious as other underlying conditions may enhance this drug-drug interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Chevillard
- INSERM U705, CNRS UMR8206, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Pharmacie, Neuropsychopharmacologie des addictions, Paris, France.
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Nosyk B, Fischer B, Sun H, Marsh DC, Kerr T, Rehm JT, Anis AH. High levels of opioid analgesic co-prescription among methadone maintenance treatment clients in British Columbia, Canada: Results from a population-level retrospective cohort study. Am J Addict 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1521-0391.2013.12091.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Huiying Sun
- Centre for Health Evaluation & Outcome Sciences; Vancouver; British Columbia; Canada
| | - David C. Marsh
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine; Sudbury; Ontario; Canada
| | | | - Juergen T. Rehm
- Social and Epidemiological Research Department; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH); Toronto; Ontario; Canada
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Hardt N, Wong TD, Burt MJ, Harrison R, Winter W, Roth J. Prevalence of Prescription and Illicit Drugs in Pregnancy‐Associated Non‐natural Deaths of Florida Mothers, 1999–2005. J Forensic Sci 2013; 58:1536-41. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.12219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2011] [Revised: 07/19/2012] [Accepted: 08/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Hardt
- Departments of Pathology and Obstetrics/Gynecology University of Florida Box 100275 Gainesville FL 32610
| | - Tit D. Wong
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Program Division of Surveillance and Disease Control West Virginia Bureau for Public Health 350 Capitol Street Room 125 Charleston WV 25301
| | - Martha J. Burt
- Department of Pathology University of Florida Box 100275 Gainesville FL 32610
| | - Ross Harrison
- College of Medicine University of Florida Box 10081 Gainesville FL 32610
| | - Will Winter
- Department of Pediatrics Shands Teaching Hospital University of Florida Box 100296 Gainesville FL 32610
| | - Jeffrey Roth
- Department of Pediatrics University of Florida Box 100296 Gainesville FL 32610
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