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Yunusa I, Farhadi K, Karaye IM. Racial, Ethnic, and Regional Disparities in Cocaine-Involved Overdose Deaths in the US, 1999-2020. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2024; 11:441-450. [PMID: 36787046 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-023-01531-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social inequalities among underrepresented communities may lead to higher overdose mortality involving cocaine use. We assessed the temporal trends in cocaine-involved overdose mortality rate in the US by race, ethnicity, and geographic region from 1999 to 2020. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study among adults in the US using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database (1999 to 2020). To identify cocaine-involved overdose decedents, we used the International Classification of Diseases Code, 10th Revision-T40.5. We used Joinpoint regression to examine the trends in age-adjusted cocaine-involved overdose mortality rates (AAMR) by race, ethnicity, and geographic region and estimated annual percentage changes (APC). RESULTS Overall, cocaine-involved overdose mortality trends increased (APC, 11.3%; 95% CI, 0.6, 23.2) from 2017 to 2020. The latest trends have remained stable among Non-Hispanic Whites since 2017 (APC, 4.3%; 95% CI, -5.7%, 15.4%) but have significantly increased among Non-Hispanic Blacks (APC, 27.2%; 95% CI, 22.1%, 32.5%), Hispanics (APC, 26.9%; 95% CI, 20.6%, 33.5%), and American Indians/Alaska Natives (APC, 24.1%; 95% CI, 16.5%, 32.2%). CONCLUSION Cocaine-related overdose deaths in the US significantly increased between 2017 and 2020, but the increase was among racial and ethnic minorities and not among Non-Hispanic Whites. These findings suggest a need to address the US' longstanding racial and ethnic healthcare inequities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismaeel Yunusa
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences, University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, 715 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
| | - Kameron Farhadi
- Department of Population Health, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY, USA
| | - Ibraheem M Karaye
- Department of Population Health, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY, USA
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Paladini A, Vallejo R, Guerrero M, Pasqualucci A, Peppin JF, Pergolizzi J, Varrassi G. Answering Big Questions in Pain Medicine. Cureus 2023; 15:e43561. [PMID: 37719539 PMCID: PMC10502917 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43561] [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: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The future of pain medicine is marked by many questions. What can other nations around the world learn from the opioid crisis that is still affecting the United States? The American opioid experience was mischaracterized and wrongly described, and its causes were misdiagnosed from the outset, leading to its mismanagement and the abandonment of many chronic pain patients to their suffering. There are a few new drugs in the analgesic armamentarium. What new targets do we have in pain medicine? There are many breakthroughs, discoveries, and potential new targets that could add to our analgesic prescribing choices. These include sigma receptors, d-amino acid oxidase, endoplasmic reticulum stress receptors, histone deacetylase, and others. Neuromodulation had been used with varying degrees of success for years, but with a simplistic approach based on the gate theory of pain. Despite our familiarity with neuromodulation and spinal cord stimulators, neuromodulation research indicates that the activation of glial cells may activate the immune system and enhance analgesia. Neuromodulation studies have concentrated on how electricity affects neuronal activity rather than how electrical activity could reduce pain. There are still more frontiers in our battle against pain and some promising avenues for treatments. This narrative review will try to summarize what can be done from the perspective of recent technological and pharmacological developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Paladini
- Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences (MESVA), University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, ITA
| | - Ricardo Vallejo
- Department of Research, Millennium Pain Center, Bloomington, USA
| | - Marixa Guerrero
- Department of Pain Medicine/ Pain Management, Clínica del Country, Bogota, COL
| | - Alberto Pasqualucci
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Perugia, Perugia, ITA
| | - John F Peppin
- Department of Osteopathic Medicine, Marian University, Indianapolis, USA
| | - Joseph Pergolizzi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine, and Critical Care Medicine, Nema Research, Naples, USA
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Kaufman DE, Kennalley AL, McCall KL, Piper BJ. Examination of methadone involved overdoses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Forensic Sci Int 2023; 344:111579. [PMID: 36739850 PMCID: PMC9886385 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The US opioid overdose epidemic continues to escalate. The restrictions on methadone availability including take-home dosing were loosened during the COVID-19 pandemic although there have been concerns about the high street value of diverted methadone. This report examined how fatal overdoses involving methadone have changed over the past two-decades including during the pandemic. METHODS The CDC's Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) was used to find the unintentional methadone related overdose death rate from 1999 to 2020. Unintentional methadone deaths were defined using the ICD X40-44 codes with only data for methadone (T40.3). Data from the DEA's Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System (ARCOS) on methadone overall use, opioid treatment programs use, and pain management use was gathered for all states for 2020 and corrected for population. RESULTS There have been dynamic changes over the past two-decades in methadone overdoses. Overdoses increased from 1999 (0.9/million) to 2007 (15.9) and declined until 2019 (6.5). Overdoses in 2020 (9.6) were 48.1% higher than in 2019 (t(50) = 3.05, p < .005). The state level correlations between overall methadone use (r(49) = +0.75, p < .001), and opioid treatment program use (r(49) = +0.77, p < .001) with overdoses were positive, strong, and statistically significant. However, methadone use for pain treatment was not associated with methadone overdoses (r(49) = -0.08). CONCLUSIONS Overdoses involving methadone significantly increased by 48.1% in 2020 relative to 2019. Policy changes that were implemented following the COVID-19 pandemic involving methadone take-homes may warrant further study before they are made permanent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amy L Kennalley
- Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, PA, USA
| | - Kenneth L McCall
- University of New England, Portland, ME, USA; Binghamton University, NY, USA
| | - Brian J Piper
- Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Middletown, NY, USA; Center for Pharmacy Innovation and Outcomes, Forty Fort, PA, USA.
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Marom A, Levy I, Rosca P. Changes and trends in medication-assisted treatment in Israel. Isr J Health Policy Res 2023; 12:1. [PMID: 36698178 PMCID: PMC9876650 DOI: 10.1186/s13584-022-00551-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As opioid prescription in Israel is increasing, there is a growing need for monitoring opioid use disorder and providing opioid agonist therapy. Our goal is to describe, sub-analyze, and identify obstacles in the treatment of opioid misuse in the Israeli medication assisted treatment centers. METHODS Data on methadone, buprenorphine, and buprenorphine combined with naloxone for the indication of opioid addiction treatment for the period 2013-2020 were obtained from pharmaceutical companies that distribute them in Israel. Data on utilization of these drugs were also extracted from the database maintained by the Israel Ministry of Health's Pharmaceutical Administration Division. The data were converted to defined daily doses (DDD)/1000 inhabitants/day. RESULTS The number of patients receiving medication assisted treatment increased by 10% since 2013, with a shift from buprenorphine alone to buprenorphine/naloxone in government-run centers. Methadone remains the most popular maintenance drug. CONCLUSIONS The change in opioid maintenance prescription does not match the significant increase in opioid consumption. Optimization of treatment can be achieved by the creation of a comprehensive database, cooperation between healthcare organizations and the government and further development of non-stigmatic and accessible services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adi Marom
- The Hebrew University- Hadassah Medical School, Campus Ein Kerem, 9112102, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Iris Levy
- Department for the Treatment of Substance Abuse, Israeli Ministry of Health, 39 Yirmiyahu St., 9446724, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Paola Rosca
- The Hebrew University- Hadassah Medical School, Campus Ein Kerem, 9112102, Jerusalem, Israel
- Department for the Treatment of Substance Abuse, Israeli Ministry of Health, 39 Yirmiyahu St., 9446724, Jerusalem, Israel
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Braverman ER, Dennen CA, Gold MS, Bowirrat A, Gupta A, Baron D, Roy AK, Smith DE, Cadet JL, Blum K. Proposing a "Brain Health Checkup (BHC)" as a Global Potential "Standard of Care" to Overcome Reward Dysregulation in Primary Care Medicine: Coupling Genetic Risk Testing and Induction of "Dopamine Homeostasis". INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:5480. [PMID: 35564876 PMCID: PMC9099927 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In 2021, over 100,000 people died prematurely from opioid overdoses. Neuropsychiatric and cognitive impairments are underreported comorbidities of reward dysregulation due to genetic antecedents and epigenetic insults. Recent genome-wide association studies involving millions of subjects revealed frequent comorbidity with substance use disorder (SUD) in a sizeable meta-analysis of depression. It found significant associations with the expression of NEGR1 in the hypothalamus and DRD2 in the nucleus accumbens, among others. However, despite the rise in SUD and neuropsychiatric illness, there are currently no standard objective brain assessments being performed on a routine basis. The rationale for encouraging a standard objective Brain Health Check (BHC) is to have extensive data available to treat clinical syndromes in psychiatric patients. The BHC would consist of a group of reliable, accurate, cost-effective, objective assessments involving the following domains: Memory, Attention, Neuropsychiatry, and Neurological Imaging. Utilizing primarily PUBMED, over 36 years of virtually all the computerized and written-based assessments of Memory, Attention, Psychiatric, and Neurological imaging were reviewed, and the following assessments are recommended for use in the BHC: Central Nervous System Vital Signs (Memory), Test of Variables of Attention (Attention), Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory III (Neuropsychiatric), and Quantitative Electroencephalogram/P300/Evoked Potential (Neurological Imaging). Finally, we suggest continuing research into incorporating a new standard BHC coupled with qEEG/P300/Evoked Potentials and genetically guided precision induction of "dopamine homeostasis" to diagnose and treat reward dysregulation to prevent the consequences of dopamine dysregulation from being epigenetically passed on to generations of our children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric R. Braverman
- The Kenneth Blum Institute on Behavior & Neurogenetics, Austin, TX 78701, USA; (E.R.B.); (C.A.D.)
| | - Catherine A. Dennen
- The Kenneth Blum Institute on Behavior & Neurogenetics, Austin, TX 78701, USA; (E.R.B.); (C.A.D.)
| | - Mark S. Gold
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - Abdalla Bowirrat
- Department of Molecular Biology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel;
| | - Ashim Gupta
- Future Biologics, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, USA;
| | - David Baron
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Psychiatry, Medicine & Primary Care (Office of Provost), Western University Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA;
| | - A. Kenison Roy
- Department of Psychiatry, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - David E. Smith
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA;
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- The Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA;
| | - Kenneth Blum
- The Kenneth Blum Institute on Behavior & Neurogenetics, Austin, TX 78701, USA; (E.R.B.); (C.A.D.)
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Psychiatry, Medicine & Primary Care (Office of Provost), Western University Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA;
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