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Schram J, Parrilla M, Sleegers N, Slosse A, Van Durme F, van Nuijs ALN, De Wael K. Electrochemical classification of benzodiazepines: A comprehensive approach combining insights from voltammetry and liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry. Talanta 2024; 279:126623. [PMID: 39084042 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126623] [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: 04/21/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
The growing non-medical use of benzodiazepines (BZs) has led to the emergence of counterfeit BZ pills and new psycho-active substances (NPS) in the BZ class on the illicit market. Comprehensive analytical methods for BZ identification are required to allow law enforcement, first aid responders and drug-checking services to analyze a variety of sample types and contents to make timely decisions on the spot. In this work, the electrochemical behavior of diazepam (DZ), clonazepam (CZ) and alprazolam (AP) is studied on graphite screen-printed electrodes, both with and without dissolved oxygen in the solution, to link their redox signals to their chemical structure. After elucidation of their reduction mechanisms using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry, three structural classes (Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3) were defined, each with different redox centers and electrochemical behavior. Subsequently, 22 confiscated pills containing 14 different BZs were correctly assigned to these three structural classes, with the deoxygenated conditions displaying the highest class selectivity. Finally, the three classes were successfully detected after being spiked into five alcoholic beverages in the context of drug-facilitated sexual assault. For analysis in red wine, which complicated the analysis by interfering with Class 1, a dual test strategy in pH 2 and pH 7 was proposed for accurate detection. Its rapid measurements, broad scope and lack of interference from diluents or colors makes this method a promising approach for aiding various services in combating problematic BZ use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Schram
- A-Sense Lab, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium; NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marc Parrilla
- A-Sense Lab, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium; NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Nick Sleegers
- A-Sense Lab, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium; NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Amorn Slosse
- Drugs and Toxicology Department, National Institute for Criminalistics and Criminology (NICC), Vilvoordsesteenweg 100, 1120, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Filip Van Durme
- Drugs and Toxicology Department, National Institute for Criminalistics and Criminology (NICC), Vilvoordsesteenweg 100, 1120, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Karolien De Wael
- A-Sense Lab, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium; NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
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Chayama KL, Ti L, Arredondo Sanchez Lira J, Coulaud PJ, Bardwell G, Knight R. Opportunities and challenges for implementing drug checking services in British Columbia, Canada: A qualitative study. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 132:104560. [PMID: 39217815 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104560] [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: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amidst the ongoing drug poisoning crisis across North America, drug checking services (DCS) are increasingly being implemented as an intervention intended to reduce drug-related harms. This study sought to identify key opportunities and challenges influencing the implementation of DCS in British Columbia (BC), Canada. METHODS Between January 2020 and July 2021, semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 21 individuals involved in the implementation of DCS across BC (i.e., policymakers, health authority personnel, community organization representatives and service providers). The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was used to guide coding and analysis of the interviews. RESULTS By bringing in a wealth of knowledge about community needs and concerns, in addition to a passion and energy for social justice and health equity, community members and organizations with a dedication for harm reduction played a critical role in the successful implementation of DCS in BC. Other significant facilitators to implementation included the preventive benefits of DCS that made the intervention compelling to policy influencers and decision makers, the provincial public health emergency regarding overdose that shifted the regulatory environment of DCS, the adaptability of DCS to meet concerns and needs in various contexts, including via ongoing processes of reflection and evaluation. Barriers to implementation included criminalization and stigmatization of drug use and people who use drugs and lack of funding for community-led implementation actions. CONCLUSIONS Alongside structural reforms that address the underlying contextual factors that influence implementation (e.g., decriminalization of drugs, increased funding for DCS), centering community expertise throughout implementation is critical to the success of DCS. Our findings provide important insights into how BC can successfully implement systems-level harm reduction interventions and offer insights for other jurisdictions in their implementation of DCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koharu Loulou Chayama
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, Canada; Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, 6371 Crescent Road, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Lianping Ti
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jaime Arredondo Sanchez Lira
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, 2300 McKenzie Avenue, Victoria, Canada; School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
| | - Pierre-Julien Coulaud
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Geoff Bardwell
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, Canada; School of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Rod Knight
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, Canada; École de Santé Publique de l'Université de Montréal, 7101 ave du Parc, Montréal, Canada.
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Ran X, Morden NE, Meara E, Moen EL, Rockmore DN, O’Malley AJ. Exploiting relationship directionality to enhance statistical modeling of peer-influence across social networks. Stat Med 2024; 43:4073-4097. [PMID: 38981613 PMCID: PMC11338714 DOI: 10.1002/sim.10169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Risky-prescribing is the excessive or inappropriate prescription of drugs that singly or in combination pose significant risks of adverse health outcomes. In the United States, prescribing of opioids and other "risky" drugs is a national public health concern. We use a novel data framework-a directed network connecting physicians who encounter the same patients in a sequence of visits-to investigate if risky-prescribing diffuses across physicians through a process of peer-influence. Using a shared-patient network of 10 661 Ohio-based physicians constructed from Medicare claims data over 2014-2015, we extract information on the order in which patients encountered physicians to derive a directed patient-sharing network. This enables the novel decomposition of peer-effects of a medical practice such as risky-prescribing into directional (outbound and inbound) and bidirectional (mutual) relationship components. Using this framework, we develop models of peer-effects for contagion in risky-prescribing behavior as well as spillover effects. The latter is measured in terms of adverse health events suspected to be related to risky-prescribing in patients of peer-physicians. Estimated peer-effects were strongest when the patient-sharing relationship was mutual as opposed to directional. Using simulations we confirmed that our modeling and estimation strategies allows simultaneous estimation of each type of peer-effect (mutual and directional) with accuracy and precision. We also show that failing to account for these distinct mechanisms (a form of model mis-specification) produces misleading results, demonstrating the importance of retaining directional information in the construction of physician shared-patient networks. These findings suggest network-based interventions for reducing risky-prescribing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Ran
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Nancy E. Morden
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
- United HealthCare, Minnetonka, MN, USA
| | - Ellen Meara
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Erika L. Moen
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Daniel N. Rockmore
- Department of Mathematics, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
- The Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM, USA
| | - A. James O’Malley
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
- Department of Mathematics, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
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DiPiro ND, Dismuke-Greer CE, Krause JS. Self-reported benzodiazepine use among adults with chronic spinal cord injury in the southeastern USA: associations with demographic, injury, and opioid use characteristics. Spinal Cord 2024:10.1038/s41393-024-01030-4. [PMID: 39271797 DOI: 10.1038/s41393-024-01030-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional cohort study. OBJECTIVES To examine: (1) the self-reported frequency of specific prescription benzodiazepine use, (2) concurrent benzodiazepine and opioid use, and (3) sociodemographic, SCI, and opioid use factors associated with frequent benzodiazepine use. SETTING Community. METHODS Participants included 918 community dwelling adults with chronic ( > 1 year) traumatic SCI originally identified from a specialty hospital or a state-based surveillance system. Self-reported frequency of specific prescription benzodiazepines and opioids used, concurrent use, and factors associated with use were assessed. RESULTS Twenty percent reported any benzodiazepine use in the past year and 13% reported at least weekly use. Concurrent daily or weekly use of benzodiazepines and opioids was reported by 6.5%, with those individuals taking an average of 1.1 (0.4) benzodiazepines and 1.4 (0.6) opioids. Compared to younger adults, those 50-65 years old had lower odds of at least weekly benzodiazepine use (OR = 0.50, 95% CI, 0.29-0.89, p-value = 0.02). Non-Hispanic Blacks reported lower use of benzodiazepines compared to non-Hispanic whites (OR = 0.32, 95% CI, 0.15-0.68, p-value = <0.01). Weekly opioid use was associated with higher odds of using benzodiazepines (OR = 3.10, 95%CI, 1.95-4.95, p-value = <0.01). CONCLUSIONS Benzodiazepine use was commonly reported among those with SCI. Despite the potential risks, a high portion of those who reported benzodiazepine use also reported prescription opioid use. The findings highlight the need for monitoring of prescription medication use to avoid potentially risky concurrent use and adverse outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole D DiPiro
- College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
| | | | - James S Krause
- College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Dong H, Stringfellow EJ, Russell A, Jalali MS. State Mandates On Naloxone Coprescribing Associated With Short-Term Increase In Naloxone Codispensing. Health Aff (Millwood) 2024; 43:1319-1328. [PMID: 39226505 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2023.01667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
In the midst of the opioid crisis in the US, efforts to mitigate overdose risks have become paramount, leading some states to introduce mandates for coprescribing the life-saving overdose reversal drug naloxone. These mandates were designed to specifically address people receiving opioid analgesics who had an elevated risk for overdose. This included people receiving high opioid dosages, those concurrently using benzodiazepines, or those with a history of substance use disorder or overdose. Using a nationally representative, multipayer cohort of patients receiving prescription opioids, we investigated how naloxone codispensing rates changed at the state level from 2016 to 2021 among patients with an elevated risk for overdose. Then we used controlled interrupted time series analyses to assess mandates' longitudinal impact on naloxone codispensing in ten states that implemented mandates. We observed an immediate and significant increase in the naloxone codispensing rates in eight states after the implementation of mandates. Nevertheless, in five of these states, the codispensing rates exhibited a subsequent downward trend after the initial increase. State mandates show potential for improving naloxone codispensing; however, mandates alone might not be adequate for sustained change. Further research is needed to identify strategies complementing and enhancing the impact of mandates in combating the overdose crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiru Dong
- Huiru Dong, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Alton Russell
- Alton Russell, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
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Sun CF, Pola AS, Su KP, Lin BY, Kablinger AS, Trestman RL. Benzodiazepine use for anxiety disorders is associated with increased long-term risk of mood and substance use disorders: A large-scale retrospective cohort study. DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE REPORTS 2024; 12:100270. [PMID: 39247100 PMCID: PMC11380165 DOI: 10.1016/j.dadr.2024.100270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
Background Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are widely prescribed for anxiety disorders. However, the long-term implications on mental health remain uncertain, especially the potential association between chronic BZD use and subsequent diagnosis of mood and substance use disorders (SUDs). Method We conducted a 5-year retrospective cohort study by analyzing the TriNetX database, a real-time electronic medical record network. The study population was defined as patients aged 18-65 with anxiety disorders (ICD-10-CM: F40-F48). We employed propensity score matching to pair a BZD-exposed cohort (≥12 BZD prescriptions) with a BZD-unexposed control cohort. The outcomes were defined as depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, and SUDs. We employed Kaplan-Meier analyses to assess the survival probability over five years following diagnosis and BZD exposure; log-rank test to obtain the hazard ratio (HR) with 95 % confidence interval (CI). Results We identified and matched 76,137 patients in the study and control cohorts. Compared to the control cohort, the BZD-exposed group exhibited significantly higher risks of being diagnosed with depressive disorders (HR, 2.64; 95 % CI, 2.59-2.68), bipolar disorders (HR, 4.39; 95 % CI, 4.15-4.64), overall substance use disorders (HR, 3.00; 95 % CI, 2.92-3.08), alcohol use disorder (HR, 3.38; 95 % CI, 3.20-3.57), stimulant use disorder (HR, 3.24; 95 % CI, 2.95, 3.55), cannabis use disorder (HR, 2.93; 95 % CI, 2.75-3.11), inhalant use disorder (HR, 4.14; 95 % CI, 3.38-5.06), and nicotine use disorder (HR, 2.72; 95 % CI, 2.63-2.81). Conclusion Our findings demonstrate a concerning association between BZD use and an increased risk of being diagnosed with various mood disorders and SUDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Fang Sun
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Akhil S Pola
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Kuan-Pin Su
- Mind-Body Interface Research Center (MBI-Lab), China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- An-Nan Hospital, China Medical University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Binx Y Lin
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shanghai Pudong New Area Mental Health Center, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Anita S Kablinger
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Robert L Trestman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA
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Edwards KA, Palenski P, Perez L, You DS, Ziadni MS, Jung C, Adair E, Tian L, Mackey SC, Darnall BD. Protocol for a randomised trial of a self-directed digital pain management intervention (Empowered Relief) tailored to adults with chronic pain and prescription opioid misuse/disorder: the MOBILE Relief study. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e086889. [PMID: 39122392 PMCID: PMC11332006 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-086889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic pain increases the risk of prescription opioid misuse or opioid use disorder (OUD). Non-pharmacological treatments are needed to dually address pain and opioid risks. The purpose of the Mobile and Online-Based Interventions to Lessen Pain (MOBILE Relief) study is to compare a one-session, video-based, on-demand digital pain relief skills intervention for chronic pain ('Empowered Relief' (ER); tailored to people at risk for opioid misuse or with opioid misuse/OUD) to a one-session digital health education intervention ('Living Better'; no pain management skills). METHODS AND ANALYSIS MOBILE Relief is an international online randomised controlled clinical trial. Study participants are adults with chronic, non-cancer pain (≥6 months) with daily pain intensity ≥3/10, taking ≥10 morphine equivalent daily dose and score ≥6 on the Current Opioid Misuse Measure. Participants are recruited through clinician referrals and clinic advertisements. Study procedures include electronic eligibility screening, informed consent, automated 1:1 randomisation to the treatment group, baseline measures, receipt of assigned digital treatment and six post-treatment surveys spanning 3 months. Study staff will call participants at baseline and 1-month and 3 months post-treatment to verify the opioid prescription. The main statistical analyses will include analysis of covariance and mixed effects model for repeated measurements regression. MAIN OUTCOMES Primary outcomes are self-reported pain catastrophising, pain intensity, pain interference, opioid craving and opioid misuse at 1-month and 3 months post-treatment. We will determine the feasibility of ER (≥50% participant engagement, ≥70% treatment appraisal ratings). We hypothesise the ER group will be superior to the Living Better group in the reduction of multiprimary pain outcomes at 1-month post-treatment and opioid outcomes at 1-month and 3 months post-treatment. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study protocol was approved by the Stanford University School of Medicine Institutional Review Board (IRB 61643). We will publish results in peer-reviewed journals; National Institute of Drug Abuse (funder) and MOBILE Relief participants will receive result summaries. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05152134.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlyn A Edwards
- Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Paige Palenski
- Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Luzmercy Perez
- Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Dokyoung Sophia You
- Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Maisa S Ziadni
- Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Corinne Jung
- Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Emma Adair
- Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Lu Tian
- Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Sean C Mackey
- Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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Abraham AJ, Steuart SR, Lawler EC, Shone H, Adams GB. Concurrent Prescription Fills of Opioids and Benzodiazepines Among Postpartum Women During COVID-19. AJPM FOCUS 2024; 3:100251. [PMID: 39070137 PMCID: PMC11279250 DOI: 10.1016/j.focus.2024.100251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Concurrent prescribing of opioids and benzodiazepines is associated with increased risk of emergency department visits and overdose. Postpartum women commonly receive opioids for pain after delivery and are at risk for postpartum depression/anxiety. Although prior research finds increases in opioid prescribing and symptoms of depression/anxiety during COVID-19, concurrent prescribing among postpartum women has not been examined in the context of COVID-19. Methods Using data from a large sample of privately insured postpartum women (N=514,120), the authors compared concurrent prescription fills of opioids and benzodiazepines before March 1, 2020, and after March 1, 2020. Primary outcome variables measured whether a patient ever filled concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions and the number of concurrent prescription fills per patient in the 6 months after delivery. Results Roughly 46.4% of postpartum women filled an opioid prescription, 2.4% filled a benzodiazepine prescription, and 1.2% of women filled a concurrent prescription. Among postpartum women filling a benzodiazepine prescription, 50.7% filled a concurrent opioid prescription. The number of concurrent fills among postpartum women significantly increased during the early period of COVID-19. On average, postpartum women filled 0.009 more concurrent prescriptions than expected on the basis of the preexisting trend, representing a 22.0% increase in the number of concurrent prescriptions relative to the sample mean. Conclusions Concurrent prescribing of opioids and benzodiazepines places postpartum women at higher risk of emergency department visits and overdose. To reduce the harms associated with concurrent prescribing, clinicians should carefully consider whether opioids and/or benzodiazepines are clinically necessary for treatment and consult their state prescription drug monitoring program prior to prescribing these medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J. Abraham
- Department of Public Administration & Policy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Shelby R. Steuart
- Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Emily C. Lawler
- Department of Public Administration & Policy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
- National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | - Grace Bagwell Adams
- Department of Public Administration & Policy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
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Rudolph KE, Williams NT, Diaz I, Forrest S, Hoffman KL, Samples H, Olfson M, Doan L, Cerda M, Ross RK. Pain Management Treatments and Opioid Use Disorder Risk in Medicaid Patients. Am J Prev Med 2024:S0749-3797(24)00248-4. [PMID: 39025248 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2024.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION People with chronic pain are at increased risk of opioid misuse. Less is known about the unique risk conferred by each pain management treatment, as treatments are typically implemented together, confounding their independent effects. This study estimated the extent to which pain management treatments were associated with risk of opioid use disorder (OUD) for those with chronic pain, controlling for baseline demographic and clinical confounding variables and holding other pain management treatments at their observed levels. METHODS Data were analyzed in 2024 from 2 chronic pain subgroups within a cohort of non-pregnant Medicaid patients aged 35-64 years, 2016-2019, from 25 states: those with (1) chronic pain and physical disability (CPPD) (N=6,133) or (2) chronic pain without disability (CP) (N=67,438). Nine pain management treatments were considered: prescription opioid (1) dose and (2) duration; (3) number of opioid prescribers; opioid co-prescription with (4) benzo- diazepines, (5) muscle relaxants, and (6) gabapentinoids; (7) nonopioid pain prescription, (8) physical therapy, and (9) other pain treatment modality. The outcome was OUD risk. RESULTS Having opioids co-prescribed with gabapentin or benzodiazepine was statistically significantly associated with a 37-45% increased OUD risk for the CP subgroup. Opioid dose and duration also were significantly associated with increased OUD risk in this subgroup. Physical therapy was significantly associated with an 18% decreased risk of OUD in the CP subgroup. DISCUSSION Coprescription of opioids with either gabapentin or benzodiazepines may substantially increase OUD risk. More positively, physical therapy may be a relatively accessible and safe pain management strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara E Rudolph
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York.
| | - Nicholas T Williams
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Ivan Diaz
- Division of Biostatistics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Sarah Forrest
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Katherine L Hoffman
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Hillary Samples
- Rutgers Institute for Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Mark Olfson
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Lisa Doan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Magdalena Cerda
- Division of Epidemiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Rachael K Ross
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
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Gong J, Jones P, Chan AHY. Incidence and risk factors of new persistent opioid use after surgery and trauma: A systematic review. BMC Surg 2024; 24:210. [PMID: 39014357 PMCID: PMC11251237 DOI: 10.1186/s12893-024-02494-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persistent opioid use (POU) can occur with opioid use after surgery or trauma. Current systematic reviews include patients with previous exposure to opioids, meaning their findings may not be relevant to patients who are opioid naïve (i.e. Most recent exposure was from surgery or trauma). The aim of this review was to synthesise narratively the evidence relating to the incidence of, and risk factors for POU in opioid-naïve surgical or trauma patients. METHOD Structured searches of Embase, Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus were conducted, with final search performed on the 17th of July 2023. Searches were limited to human participants to identify studies that assessed POU following hospital admission due to surgery or trauma. Search terms relating to 'opioid', 'analgesics', 'surgery', 'injury', 'trauma' and 'opioid-related disorder' were combined. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for cohort studies was used to assess the risk of bias for studies. RESULTS In total, 22 studies (20 surgical and two trauma) were included in the analysis. Of these, 20 studies were conducted in the United States (US). The incidence of POU for surgical patients 18 and over ranged between 3.9% to 14.0%, and for those under 18, the incidence was 2.0%. In trauma studies, the incidence was 8.1% to 10.5% among patients 18 and over. Significant risk factors identified across surgical and trauma studies in opioid-naïve patients were: higher comorbidity burden, having pre-existing mental health or chronic pain disorders, increased length of hospital stay during the surgery/trauma event, or increased doses of opioid exposure after the surgical or trauma event. Significant heterogeneity of study design precluded meta-analysis. CONCLUSION The quality of the studies was generally of good quality; however, most studies were of US origin and used medico-administrative data. Several risk factors for POU were consistently and independently associated with increased odds of POU, primarily for surgical patients. Awareness of these risk factors may help prescribers recognise the risk of POU after surgery or trauma, when considering continuing opioids after hospitalisation. The review found gaps in the literature on trauma patients, which represents an opportunity for future research. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO registration: CRD42023397186.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Gong
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Peter Jones
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Amy Hai Yan Chan
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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11
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Hurtado I, Robles C, García-Sempere A, Llopis-Cardona F, Sánchez-Sáez F, Rodríguez-Bernal C, Peiró S, Sanfélix-Gimeno G. Long-term use of prescription opioids for non-cancer pain and mortality: a population-based, propensity-weighted cohort study. Public Health 2024; 232:4-13. [PMID: 38718737 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2024.04.009] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with long-term opioid use and to assess the association between long-term use and death. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study combining several population-wide databases and covering a population of five million inhabitants, including all adults who were initiated on opioid treatment from 2014 to 2018 for non-cancer pain. METHODS We used logistic regression models to identify factors associated with chronic opioid use and carried out survival analyses using multivariable Cox regression modelling for all-cause mortality during follow-up using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and propensity scores based on the probability of using opioids chronically. RESULTS Among 760,006 patients, 82,423 (10.85%) used opioids for 90 days or more after initiation. Initial therapy characteristics associated with higher risk for long-term use were initiating with long- and short-acting opioids (when compared to tramadol, odds ratio [OR]: 2.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.57, 2.69 and OR: 1.60, 95%CI: 1.46, 1.76, respectively), using higher daily doses (when compared to 50 morphine milligramme equivalent [MME] or less, prescribing 50 to 89 daily MME, OR: 1.76, 95%CI: 1.65, 1.87; 90 to 119 daily MME, OR: 2.44, 95%CI: 1.99, 3.01; and more than 120 daily MME, OR: 1.77, 95%CI: 1.64, 1.91), and overlapping with gabapentinoids (OR: 2.26, 95%CI: 2.20, 2.32), benzodiazepines (OR: 1.32, 95%CI: 1.30, 1.35), and antipsychotics (OR: 1.21, 95%CI: 1.16, 1.26). After IPTW, chronic opioid use was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality when compared to short-term use (Hazard Ratio (HR): 1.37, 95%CI: 1.32, 1.42). Sensitivity analyses provided similar results. CONCLUSION These findings may help healthcare managers to identify and address patients at higher risk of long-term use and riskier prescription patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Hurtado
- Health Services Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region, Fisabio, Spain; Spanish Network for Research on Chronicity, Primary Care, and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Spain
| | - C Robles
- Health Services Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region, Fisabio, Spain; Spanish Network for Research on Chronicity, Primary Care, and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Spain
| | - A García-Sempere
- Spanish Network for Research on Chronicity, Primary Care, and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Spain.
| | - F Llopis-Cardona
- Health Services Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region, Fisabio, Spain; Spanish Network for Research on Chronicity, Primary Care, and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Spain
| | - F Sánchez-Sáez
- Health Services Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region, Fisabio, Spain; Spanish Network for Research on Chronicity, Primary Care, and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Spain
| | - C Rodríguez-Bernal
- Health Services Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region, Fisabio, Spain; Spanish Network for Research on Chronicity, Primary Care, and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Spain
| | - S Peiró
- Health Services Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region, Fisabio, Spain; Spanish Network for Research on Chronicity, Primary Care, and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Spain
| | - G Sanfélix-Gimeno
- Health Services Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region, Fisabio, Spain; Spanish Network for Research on Chronicity, Primary Care, and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Spain
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12
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Adams GB, Steuart S, Lawler EC, Shone H, Abraham AJ. Increases in benzodiazepine prescribing for postpartum anxiety during COVID-19. Arch Womens Ment Health 2024:10.1007/s00737-024-01488-4. [PMID: 38940966 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-024-01488-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Postpartum mood disorders affect many women following childbirth. Prescribing medication for depression and anxiety is one strategy for the effective treatment of postpartum mood disorders. Left untreated, mothers experiencing these disorders and their infants face increased risks of adverse health outcomes. Little is known about how diagnosis and treatment of postpartum mood disorders changed during COVID-19. METHODS We used a retrospective pooled cross-sectional design in a sample of privately-insured postpartum women in U.S. claims data from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020. We measured changes in diagnoses of anxiety and depression and changes in prescription fills and days supplied of classes of medications used to treat these conditions (antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and z-drugs). We used ordinary least squares (OLS) regression for each outcome variable during the pre-pandemic period and forecast expected outcomes the observation period. Forecasted and actual values of the outcomes were then compared. RESULTS Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, diagnoses of depression and anxiety were not significantly higher among privately insured postpartum women in the United States. The proportion of privately-insured postpartum women filling a benzodiazepine prescription increased by 15.2%. CONCLUSIONS We find diagnosis of postpartum mood disorders did not increase after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, fills of benzodiazepines increased among privately-insured postpartum women. Given prior evidence of increased depressive and anxiety symptoms among postpartum women during COVID-19, this suggests increased barriers to appropriate diagnoses and treatment for depression during this period.
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Alser O, Dorken Gallastegi A, El Moheb M, Raybould T, DePesa C, Gervasini A, Flaherty M, Masiakos PT, Velmahos GC, Kaafarani H, Parks J. Outcomes of Combined Opioids and Benzodiazepines Consumption in Elderly Trauma: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Am Surg 2024:31348241259036. [PMID: 38836432 DOI: 10.1177/00031348241259036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute substance intoxication is associated with traumatic injury and worse hospital outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between simultaneous opioids and benzodiazepines (OB) use and hospital outcomes in elderly trauma patients. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis using the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program (ACS-TQIP) 2017 database. We included trauma patients (age ≥ 65 years) examined by urine toxicology within 24 hours of presentation. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included hospital and ICU lengths of stay (HLOS AND ICULOS), in-hospital complications (eg, ventilator-associated pneumonia), unplanned intubation, and duration of mechanical ventilation. Patients were stratified being both positive for opioids and benzodiazepines (OB+) or not (OB-) based on having positive or negative drug screen for both drugs, respectively. A 1:1 propensity score matching was performed controlling for demographics (eg, age and sex), comorbidities (eg, alcoholism), and injury characteristics. RESULTS Of 77,311 tested patients, 849 OB+ were matched to OB- patients. Compared to OB- group, OB+ patients were more likely to have unplanned intubation (26 [3.1%] vs 8 [0.9%], P = 0.002) and had prolonged HLOS (≥2 days: 683 [84.0%] vs 625 [77.8%], P = 0.002). There were no differences in all other outcomes (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The OB intake is associated with higher incidence of unplanned intubation and longer HLOS in elderly trauma patients. Early identification of elderly trauma patient with OB+ can help provide necessary pharmacologic and behavioral interventions to treat their substance use and potentially improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osaid Alser
- Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ander Dorken Gallastegi
- Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mohamad El Moheb
- Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Toby Raybould
- Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christopher DePesa
- Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alice Gervasini
- Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael Flaherty
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter T Masiakos
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - George C Velmahos
- Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Haytham Kaafarani
- Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan Parks
- Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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14
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Alessio-Bilowus D, Chua KP, Peahl A, Brummett CM, Gunaseelan V, Bicket MC, Waljee JF. Epidemiology of Opioid Prescribing After Discharge From Surgical Procedures Among Adults. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2417651. [PMID: 38922619 PMCID: PMC11208979 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.17651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Opioid medications are commonly prescribed for the management of acute postoperative pain. In light of increasing awareness of the potential risks of opioid prescribing, data are needed to define the procedures and populations for which most opioid prescribing occurs. Objective To identify the surgical procedures accounting for the highest proportion of opioids dispensed to adults after surgery in the United States. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional analysis of the 2020-2021 Merative MarketScan Commercial and Multi-State Databases, which capture medical and pharmacy claims for 23 million and 14 million annual privately insured patients and Medicaid beneficiaries, respectively, included surgical procedures for individuals aged 18 to 64 years with a discharge date between December 1, 2020, and November 30, 2021. Procedures were identified using a novel crosswalk between 3664 Current Procedural Terminology codes and 1082 procedure types. Data analysis was conducted from November to December 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures The total amount of opioids dispensed within 3 days of discharge from surgery across all procedures in the sample, as measured in morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs), was calculated. The primary outcome was the proportion of total MMEs attributable to each procedure type, calculated separately among procedures for individuals aged 18 to 44 years and those aged 45 to 64 years. Results Among 1 040 934 surgical procedures performed (mean [SD] age of patients, 45.5 [13.3] years; 663 609 [63.7%] female patients), 457 016 (43.9%) occurred among individuals aged 18 to 44 years and 583 918 (56.1%) among individuals aged 45 to 64 years. Opioid prescriptions were dispensed for 503 058 procedures (48.3%). Among individuals aged 18 to 44 years, cesarean delivery accounted for the highest proportion of total MMEs dispensed after surgery (19.4% [11 418 658 of 58 825 364 MMEs]). Among individuals aged 45 to 64 years, 4 of the top 5 procedures were common orthopedic procedures (eg, arthroplasty of knee, 9.7% of total MMEs [5 885 305 of 60 591 564 MMEs]; arthroscopy of knee, 6.5% [3 912 616 MMEs]). Conclusions and Relevance In this cross-sectional study of the distribution of postoperative opioid prescribing in the United States, a small number of common procedures accounted for a large proportion of MMEs dispensed after surgery. These findings suggest that the optimal design and targeting of surgical opioid stewardship initiatives in adults undergoing surgery should focus on the procedures that account for the most opioid dispensed following surgery over the life span, such as childbirth and orthopedic procedures. Going forward, systems that provide periodic surveillance of opioid prescribing and associated harms can direct quality improvement initiatives to reduce opioid-related morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Alessio-Bilowus
- Section of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor
- Overdose Prevention Engagement Network, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Kao-Ping Chua
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Alex Peahl
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor
| | - Chad M. Brummett
- Overdose Prevention Engagement Network, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Division of Pain Research, Department of Anesthesiology, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor
| | - Vidhya Gunaseelan
- Overdose Prevention Engagement Network, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Division of Pain Research, Department of Anesthesiology, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor
| | - Mark C. Bicket
- Overdose Prevention Engagement Network, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Division of Pain Research, Department of Anesthesiology, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor
| | - Jennifer F. Waljee
- Section of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor
- Overdose Prevention Engagement Network, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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15
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Kwon S, Wang X, Liu W, Druhl E, Sung ML, Reisman JI, Li W, Kerns RD, Becker W, Yu H. ODD: A Benchmark Dataset for the Natural Language Processing Based Opioid Related Aberrant Behavior Detection. PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONFERENCE. ASSOCIATION FOR COMPUTATIONAL LINGUISTICS. NORTH AMERICAN CHAPTER. MEETING 2024; 2024:4338-4359. [PMID: 39224833 PMCID: PMC11368170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Opioid related aberrant behaviors (ORABs) present novel risk factors for opioid overdose. This paper introduces a novel biomedical natural language processing benchmark dataset named ODD, for ORAB Detection Dataset. ODD is an expert-annotated dataset designed to identify ORABs from patients' EHR notes and classify them into nine categories; 1) Confirmed Aberrant Behavior, 2) Suggested Aberrant Behavior, 3) Opioids, 4) Indication, 5) Diagnosed opioid dependency, 6) Benzodiazepines, 7) Medication Changes, 8) Central Nervous System-related, and 9) Social Determinants of Health. We explored two state-of-the-art natural language processing models (fine-tuning and prompt-tuning approaches) to identify ORAB. Experimental results show that the prompt-tuning models outperformed the fine-tuning models in most categories and the gains were especially higher among uncommon categories (Suggested Aberrant Behavior, Confirmed Aberrant Behaviors, Diagnosed Opioid Dependence, and Medication Change). Although the best model achieved the highest 88.17% on macro average area under precision recall curve, uncommon classes still have a large room for performance improvement. ODD is publicly available.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hong Yu
- UMass Amherst
- UMass Lowell
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- UMass Chan Medical School
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16
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Lape EC, Powers JM, LaRowe LR, Ditre JW. Initial validation of the expectancies for Benzodiazepine Analgesia Scale. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2024; 32:369-378. [PMID: 38010761 PMCID: PMC11098706 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000692] [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] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Chronic pain populations exhibit greater prevalence of benzodiazepine (BZD) prescription (vs. the general population) and greater likelihood of BZD use not as prescribed and dependence symptoms. Individuals report taking BZDs for pain relief, potentially contributing to maintenance/escalation of BZD use and hazardous couse with prescription opioids. Identifying cognitive factors underlying pain-BZD use relations represents a critical step toward understanding the role of pain in BZD use trajectories. Outcome expectancies for substance-related analgesia have been implicated in pain-substance use comorbidity (e.g., alcohol), and there is reason to believe these processes may extend to BZD use. The present study aimed to examine psychometric properties of a newly adapted Expectancies for Benzodiazepine Analgesia (EBA) scale and probe associations between EBA scores and prescription opioid use behaviors. Participants were 306 adults (38.9% females) endorsing chronic pain and current BZD prescription who completed an online survey. Results provided initial support for psychometric validity of the EBA: evidence of single-factor structure with good model fit (Bollen-Stine bootstrap p = .101), excellent internal consistency (α = .93), and evidence of concurrent validity via correlations with pain variables, likelihood of BZD use not as prescribed, BZD dependence symptoms, and self-reported BZD use for pain relief. Exploratory findings among participants prescribed opioids indicated positive covariation between EBA scores and behaviors associated with higher risk opioid use. This is, to our knowledge, the first study to assess analgesia expectancies for BZD use. BZD analgesic expectancies warrant further study as a treatment target in comorbid pain and BZD use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma C. Lape
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244, United States
| | - Jessica M. Powers
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, 625 North Michigan Avenue, 21st Floor, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Lisa R. LaRowe
- Mongan Institute Center for Aging and Serious Illness, Massachusetts General Hospital, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1600, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Joseph W. Ditre
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244, United States
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Thornton JD, Varisco T, Patel H, Shrestha M, Wanat M, Schaefer E, Leslie D, Zhao H, Saadi RA, Shen C. Characterising incident opioid use among incident users of prescription sedative hypnotics: A national cohort study. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e082339. [PMID: 38816043 PMCID: PMC11138274 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082339] [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: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate co-prescribing of sedatives hypnotics and opioids. DESIGN Retrospective study evaluating the association of patient characteristics and comorbidities with coprescribing. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Using the national Merative MarketScan Database between 2005 and 2018, we identified patients who received an incident sedative prescription with or without subsequent, incident opioid prescriptions within a year of the sedative prescription in the USA. OUTCOME MEASURES Coprescription of sedative-hypnotics and opioids. RESULTS A total of 2 632 622 patients (mean (SD) age, 43.2 (12.34) years; 1 297 356 (62.5%) female) received incident prescriptions for sedatives over the course of the study period. The largest proportion of sedative prescribing included benzodiazepines (71.1%); however, z-drugs (19.9%) and barbiturates (9%) were also common. About 557 845 (21.2%) patients with incident sedatives also received incident opioid prescriptions. About 59.2% of these coprescribed patients received opioids coprescription on the same day. Multivariate logistic regression findings showed that individuals with a comorbidity index score of 1, 2 or ≥3 (aOR 1.19 (95% CI 1.17 to 1.21), 1.17 (95% C 1.14 to 1.19) and 1.25 (95% C 1.2 to 1.31)) and substance use disorder (1.21 (95% C 1.19 to 1.23)) were more likely to be coprescribed opioids and sedatives. The likelihood of receiving both opioid and sedative prescriptions was lower for female patients (aOR 0.93; 95% CI 0.92 to 0.94), and those receiving a barbiturate (aOR 0.3; 95% CI 0.29 to 0.31) or z-drugs (aOR 0.67; 95% CI 0.66 to 0.68) prescriptions at the index date. CONCLUSIONS Coprescription of sedatives with opioids was associated with the presence of comorbidities and substance use disorder, gender and types of sedatives prescribed at the index date. Additionally, more than half of the coprescribing occurred on the same day which warrants further evaluation of current prescribing and dispensing best practice guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Douglas Thornton
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, USA
- Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research (PREMIER) Center, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Tyler Varisco
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, USA
- Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research (PREMIER) Center, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Harshil Patel
- Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research (PREMIER) Center, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Mina Shrestha
- Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research (PREMIER) Center, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Matthew Wanat
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Translational Research, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, USA
- Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research (PREMIER) Center, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Eric Schaefer
- The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Douglas Leslie
- Center for Applied Studies in Health Economics, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hui Zhao
- Department of Health Services Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Randa Al Saadi
- Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research (PREMIER) Center, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Chan Shen
- Division of Outcomes Research and Quality, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
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Kelber MS, Smolenski DJ, Belsher BE, O'Gallagher K, Issa F, Stewart LT, Evatt DP. The associations of opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions with injuries among US military service members. Pain 2024:00006396-990000000-00586. [PMID: 38709494 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Given the high rates of physical trauma and pain among service members, opioid-prescribing practices and use patterns have significant implications for the well-being of service members and can affect military medicine and personnel readiness. This study measured the association between prescribed opioid and benzodiazepine medications and subsequently reported injuries (accidental, alcohol and drug related, self-inflicted, and violence related) among active duty military members. Participants were service members who entered the military between January 1, 2005, and June 30, 2010. In a nested case-control design, we compared individuals with injuries to individuals without injuries with respect to their opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions in the 30 days before the injury of an index case. We used a multiintercept, logistic regression model to compare coefficient estimates by injury type. Overall, approximately 17% of individuals with an injury and 4% of individuals without an injury had a recorded opioid prescription. Individuals with an injury of any type had greater odds of prior exposure to opioid prescriptions than controls. Although a dose-response effect was observed for all injury types, it reached a plateau sooner for natural or environmental accidents and self-inflicted injuries relative to alcohol-related and drug-related injuries, violence-related injuries, vehicle accidents, accidental falls, and other accidents. Benzodiazepine prescriptions were found in 3.5% of individuals with an injury and 0.5% of individuals without an injury. The association between benzodiazepine prescriptions and injuries was strongest for natural and environmental accidents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija S Kelber
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency
| | | | - Bradley E Belsher
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency
- Carl T Hayden Veterans Medical Center, Phoenix VA Health Care System
| | | | - Fuad Issa
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency
| | | | - Daniel P Evatt
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency
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19
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Park J, Engstrom G, Ouslander JG. Prescribing Benzodiazepines and Opioids and Clinical Characteristics Associated With 30-Day Hospital Return in Patients Aged ≥75 Years: Secondary Data Analysis. J Gerontol Nurs 2024; 50:25-33. [PMID: 38569101 DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20240312-02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The current study compared prevalence of opioid or benzodiazepine (BZD) prescription and co-prescription of opioids and BZD at discharge and return to a community hospital within 30 days, as well as identified clinical characteristics associated with hospital return in patients aged ≥75 years. METHOD A secondary analysis of a database created during implementation of the Safe Transitions for At Risk Patients program at a 400-bed community teaching hospital in south Florida was conducted. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify significant demographic and clinical characteristics associated with return to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. RESULTS A total of 24,262 participants (52.6% women) with a mean age of 85.3 (SD = 6.42) years were included. More than 20% in each central nervous system prescription group (i.e., opioids only, BZD only, opioids and BZD) returned to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. Demographic and chronic conditions (e.g., congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes) and poly-pharmacy were significant factors of a 30-day return to the hospital. CONCLUSION Findings highlight the importance of hospital nurses' role in identifying high-risk patients, educating patients and caregivers, monitoring them closely, communicating with primary care physicians and specialists, and conducting intensive follow up via telephone to avoid 30-day rehospitalization. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(4), 25-33.].
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Koh KA, Szymkowiak D, Tsai J. Benzodiazepine Prescriptions for Homeless Veterans Affairs Service Users With Mental Illness. Psychiatr Serv 2024; 75:316-325. [PMID: 37904492 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.20220472] [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: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite elevated risk for substance use disorder and overdose death in the homeless population, benzodiazepine prescribing for this population has not been examined. In this study, the authors used data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system to examine benzodiazepine prescribing and risky and potentially inappropriate benzodiazepine prescribing practices for homeless VA service users. METHODS Using national VA administrative data (2018-2019), the authors conducted logistic regression to compare likelihood of benzodiazepine prescribing and t tests to compare indicators of risky and potentially inappropriate benzodiazepine prescribing patterns for homeless service users with mental illness (N=244,113) and their housed peers (N=2,763,513). RESULTS Unadjusted analyses showed that benzodiazepines were prescribed for 7.5% of homeless VA service users with mental illness, versus 9.4% of their housed peers (p<0.001). Analyses adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and health care utilization showed that homeless service users were less likely than their housed peers to receive a benzodiazepine prescription (AOR=0.70, 99% CI=0.68-0.72). However, compared with their housed peers, homeless service users received higher rates of risky and potentially inappropriate benzodiazepine prescriptions, including multiple concurrent benzodiazepine prescriptions (9.4% vs. 7.0%, p<0.001) and concurrent prescriptions for benzodiazepines and opioids (36.9% vs. 31.2%, p<0.001) or sedatives (61.9% vs. 45.9%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Although homeless VA service users with mental illness were less likely than their housed peers to receive a benzodiazepine prescription, benzodiazepine prescriptions for these service users had more characteristics of risky and potentially inappropriate prescribing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Koh
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital-Harvard Medical School, and Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Boston (Koh); National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Tampa, Florida (Szymkowiak, Tsai); School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston (Tsai)
| | - Dorota Szymkowiak
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital-Harvard Medical School, and Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Boston (Koh); National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Tampa, Florida (Szymkowiak, Tsai); School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston (Tsai)
| | - Jack Tsai
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital-Harvard Medical School, and Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Boston (Koh); National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Tampa, Florida (Szymkowiak, Tsai); School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston (Tsai)
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Otufowora A, Liu Y, Okusanya A, Ogidan A, Okusanya A, Cottler LB. The Effect of Veteran Status and Chronic Pain on Past 30-Day Sedative Use Among Community-Dwelling Adult Males. J Am Board Fam Med 2024; 37:118-128. [PMID: 38448239 PMCID: PMC11378463 DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2023.230226r2] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Given the high sedative prescription rate, the sedative-associated morbidity, and mortality nationally (especially among veterans), we aimed to test the hypothesis that veteran status in the presence of chronic pain would be associated with greater sedative use when compared with nonveteran status. METHODS The study participants were recruited by Community Health Workers (CHWs) through the ongoing community engagement program (HealthStreet) at the University of Florida. CHWs collected information on sociodemographic factors, health status, and past 30-day drug use patterns. RESULTS The study sample comprised 4,732 male participants, of which 21% were veterans, 58% were Blacks and 8.4% had used prescription sedatives in the past 30 days. Veterans (vs nonveterans) were twice as likely to have used prescription sedatives in the past 30 days in the presence of chronic pain. CONCLUSIONS Veterans with chronic pain are a high-risk population for current prescription sedative use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayodeji Otufowora
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY (A Otufowora); Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (YL, LBC); Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Western New England University, Springfield, MA (A Okusanya); Department of Medicine & Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu Campus, Ogun State, Nigeria (A Ogidan); Department of Public Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC (A Okusanya).
| | - Yiyang Liu
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY (A Otufowora); Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (YL, LBC); Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Western New England University, Springfield, MA (A Okusanya); Department of Medicine & Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu Campus, Ogun State, Nigeria (A Ogidan); Department of Public Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC (A Okusanya)
| | - Aderonke Okusanya
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY (A Otufowora); Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (YL, LBC); Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Western New England University, Springfield, MA (A Okusanya); Department of Medicine & Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu Campus, Ogun State, Nigeria (A Ogidan); Department of Public Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC (A Okusanya)
| | - Afeez Ogidan
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY (A Otufowora); Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (YL, LBC); Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Western New England University, Springfield, MA (A Okusanya); Department of Medicine & Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu Campus, Ogun State, Nigeria (A Ogidan); Department of Public Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC (A Okusanya)
| | - Adedoyin Okusanya
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY (A Otufowora); Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (YL, LBC); Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Western New England University, Springfield, MA (A Okusanya); Department of Medicine & Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu Campus, Ogun State, Nigeria (A Ogidan); Department of Public Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC (A Okusanya)
| | - Linda B Cottler
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY (A Otufowora); Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (YL, LBC); Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Western New England University, Springfield, MA (A Okusanya); Department of Medicine & Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu Campus, Ogun State, Nigeria (A Ogidan); Department of Public Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC (A Okusanya)
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Sim Y, Hausberger CF, Wang J. Effects of comprehensive medication review on opioid overuse among medicare beneficiaries. JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH 2024; 15:rmae002. [PMID: 38425883 PMCID: PMC10901462 DOI: 10.1093/jphsr/rmae002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Objectives This study examined the effects of the comprehensive medication review of Medicare medication therapy management programs on opioid overuse among Medicare beneficiaries. Methods This retrospective study analyzed Medicare data from 2016 to 2017. The intervention group included Medicare beneficiaries who newly received comprehensive medication review in 2017; the control group referred to patients who met the general eligible criteria for the medication therapy management program but did not enroll in 2016 or 2017. Propensity score matching was performed to increase characteristic compatibility between the intervention and control groups. Three measures of opioid overuse were analyzed: use of opioids at a high dosage, use of opioids from multiple providers, and concurrent use of opioids and benzodiazepines. The effects of comprehensive medication review on opioid overuse were analyzed with a multivariate logistic regression with an interaction term between the receipt of comprehensive medication review and the year 2017. Key Findings The proportion of concurrent use of opioids and benzodiazepines declined at a greater rate among the recipients (2.21%) than non-recipients (1.55%) of the comprehensive medication review. In the adjusted analysis, the odds ratio of no concurrent use of opioids and benzodiazepines was 5% higher (1.05; 95% confidence interval = 1.02-1.09) among recipients than non-recipients. These significant findings were not found for the other two measures of opioid overuse. Conclusions Comprehensive medication review is associated with reduced concurrent use of opioids and benzodiazepines among Medicare beneficiaries. Such service should be incorporated into the current approaches for addressing the opioid epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongbo Sim
- Department of Economics, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Translational Science, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Clayton F Hausberger
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Junling Wang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Translational Science, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy, Memphis, TN, United States
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Thornton JD, Varisco T, Prachet B, Olateju O, Shrestha M, Shen C. Productivity Loss Among Opioid and Benzodiazepine Users in the United States: A Medical Expenditure Panel Survey From 2010 to 2019. J Occup Environ Med 2024; 66:226-233. [PMID: 38151973 PMCID: PMC10922134 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000003029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study is to estimate the association between productivity losses and the use of prescription opioids and benzodiazepines among employed US adults with painful conditions. METHODS Using Medical Expenditures Panel Survey (2010-2019), we used two-part (logistic regression and generalized linear model with zero-truncated negative binomial link) model to compare missed workdays due to illness or injury among employed adults with a painful condition. RESULTS Of the eligible sample of 57,413 working US individuals, 14.65% were prescription opioid users, 2.95% were benzodiazepine users, and 1.59% were both opioid and benzodiazepine users. The predicted missed workdays were 5.75 (95% Confidence Limit [CL]: 5.58-5.92) days for benzodiazepine users, 13.06 (95% CL: 12.88-13.23) days among opioid users, and 15.18 (95% CL: 14.46-15.90) days for opioid and benzodiazepine concomitant users. CONCLUSIONS Concomitant use of prescription opioids and benzodiazepines was significantly associated with having more missed workdays among employed adults with documented painful conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Douglas Thornton
- Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research Center, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Tyler Varisco
- Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research Center, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Bhatt Prachet
- Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research Center, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Olajumoke Olateju
- Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research Center, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Mina Shrestha
- Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research Center, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Chan Shen
- Division of Outcomes Research and Quality, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA
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Tran AD, Grebely J, Chambers M, Degenhardt L, Farrell M, Bajis S, Larance B. Health utility among people who regularly use opioids in Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev 2024. [PMID: 38403293 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13823] [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: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Studies of health utilities among people who use opioids have mostly been based on in-treatment populations. We aim to report utility-based quality of life by participants' socio-demographic, drug and treatment characteristics, and to examine the determinants of health utility among people who use opioids regularly. METHODS Cross-sectional study of participants who used opioids regularly, recruited across New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania in 2018-2019. Differences in European Quality of Life (EQ-5D-5L) heath utility scores between socio-demographic and clinical subgroups were assessed using non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test by rank. To address the unique distribution of EQ-5D-5L health utility scores in the current sample, a two-part model was applied to assess factors associated with health utility. RESULTS Among 402 participants enrolled in the study, 385 (96%) completed the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. The mean health utility of the total sample was 0.63 (SD 0.29). Participants who previously received opioid agonist treatment [OAT] (adj marginal effect (ME) -0.11; 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.20 to -0.02) and those currently in OAT (adj ME -0.13; 95% CI -0.22 to -0.06) reported lower health utility than those who had never received OAT. Participants who used both pharmaceutical opioids and benzodiazepines had lower health utility compared to no pharmaceutical opioids and no benzodiazepines use (adj ME -0.17; 95% CI -0.28 to -0.07). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Findings provide important health utility data for economic evaluations, useful for guiding allocation of resources for treatment strategies among people who use opioids. Lower health utilities among those using benzodiazepines and pharmaceutical opioids suggests interventions targeting these subgroups may be beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh Dam Tran
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Mark Chambers
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael Farrell
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sahar Bajis
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Briony Larance
- School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
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Wei YJJ, Shrestha N, Chiang C, DeKosky ST. Prevalence and trend of central nervous system-active medication polypharmacy among US commercially insured adults with vs without early-onset dementia: a multi-year cross-sectional study. Alzheimers Res Ther 2024; 16:30. [PMID: 38326897 PMCID: PMC10851564 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-024-01405-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited data exist on the prevalence and trend of central nervous system (CNS)-active medication polypharmacy among adults with early-onset dementia (EOD) and whether these estimates differ for adults without EOD but with chronic pain, depression, or epilepsy, conditions managed by CNS-active medications. METHODS A multi-year, cross-sectional study using 2012-2021 MarketScan Commercial Claims data was conducted among adults aged 30 to 64 years with EOD and those without EOD but having a diagnosis of chronic pain, depression, or epilepsy as comparison groups. For each disease cohort, the primary outcome was CNS-active medication polypharmacy defined as concurrent use of ≥ 3 CNS-active medications on the US Beers Criteria list that overlapped for > 30 consecutive days during 12 months following a randomly selected medical encounter with the disease diagnosis. A separate multivariate modified Poisson regression model was used to estimate time trends in CNS polypharmacy in each disease cohort. Differences in trend estimates between EOD and non-EOD disease cohorts were examined by an interaction between EOD status and yearly time. RESULTS From 2013 to 2020, the annual crude prevalence of CNS polypharmacy was higher among adults with EOD (21.2%-25.0%) than adults with chronic pain (5.1%-5.9%), depression (14.8%-21.7%), or epilepsy (20.0%-22.3%). The adjusted annual prevalence of CNS polypharmacy among patients with EOD did not significantly change between 2013 and 2020 (adjusted prevalence rate ratio [aPRR], 0.94; 95% CI, 0.88-1.01), whereas a significant decreasing trend was observed among non-EOD cohorts with chronic pain (aPRR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.63-0.69), depression (aPRR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.77-0.85), and epilepsy (aPRR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.83-0.89). The interaction analysis indicated that patients with epilepsy and depression (vs with EOD) had a decreasing probability of CNS-active medication polypharmacy over time (aPRR, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.98-0.99]; P < .001 for interaction for both conditions). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of CNS polypharmacy among US commercially insured adults with EOD (vs without) was higher and remained unchanged from 2013 to 2021. Medication reviews of adults with EOD and CNS polypharmacy are needed to ensure that benefits outweigh risks associated with combined use of these treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jung Jenny Wei
- Division of Outcomes and Translational Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, 500 West 12Th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210-1291, USA.
| | - Nistha Shrestha
- Division of Outcomes and Translational Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, 500 West 12Th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210-1291, USA
| | - ChienWei Chiang
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Ohio, 43210, USA
| | - Steven T DeKosky
- Department of Neurology and McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
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Bardhi K, Coates S, Chen G, Lazarus P. Cannabinoid-Induced Stereoselective Inhibition of R-S-Oxazepam Glucuronidation: Cannabinoid-Oxazepam Drug Interactions. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:243. [PMID: 38399297 PMCID: PMC10892093 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16020243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Benzodiazepines (BZDs) such as oxazepam are commonly prescribed depressant drugs known for their anxiolytic, hypnotic, muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsant effects and are frequently used in conjunction with other illicit drugs including cannabis. Oxazepam is metabolized in an enantiomeric-specific manner by glucuronidation, with S-oxazepam metabolized primarily by UGT2B15 and R-oxazepam glucuronidation mediated by both UGT 1A9 and 2B7. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the potential inhibitory effects of major cannabinoids, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), and major THC metabolites, 11-hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-COOH-THC), on the UGT-mediated metabolism of R- and S-oxazepam. The cannabinoids and metabolites were screened as inhibitors of R- and S-oxazepam glucuronidation in microsomes isolated from HEK293 cells overexpressing individual UGT enzymes (rUGTs). The IC50 values were determined in human liver microsomes (HLM), human kidney microsomes (HKM), and rUGTs and utilized to estimate the nonspecific, binding-corrected Ki (Ki,u) values and predict the area under the concentration-time curve ratio (AUCR). The estimated Ki,u values observed in HLM for S- and R-oxazepam glucuronidation by CBD, 11-OH-THC, and THC were in the micromolar range (0.82 to 3.7 µM), with the Ki,u values observed for R-oxazepam glucuronidation approximately 2- to 5-fold lower as compared to those observed for S-oxazepam glucuronidation. The mechanistic static modeling predicted a potential clinically significant interaction between oral THC and CBD with oxazepam, with the AUCR values ranging from 1.25 to 3.45. These data suggest a pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction when major cannabinoids like CBD or THC and oxazepam are concurrently administered.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Philip Lazarus
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, 412 E. Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99202, USA
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Bushnell GA, Rynn MA, Gerhard T, Keyes KM, Hasin DS, Cerdá M, Nyandege A, Olfson M. Drug overdose risk with benzodiazepine treatment in young adults: Comparative analysis in privately and publicly insured individuals. Addiction 2024; 119:356-368. [PMID: 37816665 PMCID: PMC10838605 DOI: 10.1111/add.16359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Benzodiazepines (BZDs) carry a risk for drug overdose and are prescribed alone or simultaneously with selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for the treatment of anxiety and depression in young adults. We aimed to measure risks of drug overdose following BZD treatment initiation, and simultaneous BZD and SSRI initiation, compared with SSRI treatment alone in young adults with depression or anxiety. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS The cohort study used administrative databases covering privately (MarketScan, 1/1/2009-12/31/2018) and publicly (Medicaid, 1/1/2015-12/31/2016) insured young adults (18-29 years) in the United States. Those with depression or anxiety diagnoses newly initiating BZD or SSRI treatment (without BZD or SSRI prescriptions in prior year) were included. Simultaneous "BZD + SSRI" initiation was defined as starting BZD and SSRI treatment on the same day. The cohorts included 604 664 privately insured young adults (BZD = 22%, BZD + SSRI = 10%, SSRI = 68%) and 110 493 publicly insured young adults (BZD = 23%, BZD + SSRI = 5%, SSRI = 72%). MEASUREMENTS Incident medically treated drug overdose events were identified from emergency department and inpatient encounters (ICD poisoning codes) within 6 months of treatment initiation. Crude and propensity-score adjusted cumulative incidence and hazard ratios (HR) were estimated. Sub-analyses evaluated drug overdose intent. FINDINGS Adjusted HRs of drug overdose for BZD vs. SSRI treatment was 1.36 (95% confidence interval [CI]:1.23-1.51) in privately and 1.59 (95%CI:1.37-1.83) in publicly insured young adults. The adjusted HRs of drug overdose for BZD + SSRI treatment vs. SSRI treatment were 1.99 (95%CI:1.77-2.25) in privately and 1.98 (95%CI:1.47-2.68) in publicly insured young adults. CONCLUSIONS Among young adults in the United States, initiating benzodiazepine treatment for anxiety and depression, alone or simultaneously with selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), appears to have an increased risk of medically treated drug overdose compared with SSRI treatment alone. These associations were observed in publicly and privately insured individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta A Bushnell
- Center for Pharmacoepidemiology and Treatment Sciences, Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers University School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Moira A Rynn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Tobias Gerhard
- Center for Pharmacoepidemiology and Treatment Sciences, Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Katherine M Keyes
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Deborah S Hasin
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Magdalena Cerdá
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy, Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Abner Nyandege
- Center for Pharmacoepidemiology and Treatment Sciences, Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Mark Olfson
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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Taha SA, Westra JR, Tacker DH, Raji MA, Kuo YF. Trends in co-prescribed opioids and benzodiazepines, non-prescribed opioids and benzodiazepines, and schedule-I drugs in the United States, 2013 to 2019. Prev Med Rep 2024; 38:102584. [PMID: 38292029 PMCID: PMC10827545 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine users are at increased risk of overdose death, compared to opioid-only users. The objective of this study was to understand recent time trends in opioid and benzodiazepine concurrent use, misuse, and schedule-I drug use, and how these differ by age, sex and geographic region. Commercial, United States medical insurance claims data and urine drug test results from 2013 to 2019 were used to study the outcomes of concurrent use (n = 756,258), schedule-I drug use (n = 746,672) and prescription misuse (n = 452,523). Drug use outcomes were studied at quarterly time points for each year. Data analysis included joinpoint regression models to estimate quarterly drug use rates, determined by positive urine tests for corresponding drug categories, and was conducted from November 2021 through January 2022. Concurrent use decreased from 19.3% to 9.8%, misuse generally decreased from 75.6% to 55.1%, and schedule-I use increased from 8.9% to 13.8%, from 2013 to 2019. Concurrent use decreased at greater rates after 2016, after the Centers for Disease Control and Food and Drug Administration guidelines against concurrent use were released, while schedule-I use increased, notably after the 2014 hydrocodone reschedule. This indicates a potential shift from prescription use to non-prescribed drug use, where most affected groups included males, younger individuals, and those residing in Northeastern regions. Study results support public health initiatives focused on policy that increases access to multimodal pain management and substance use disorder management programs-critical steps in preventing patients from seeking non-prescribed drugs for self- medicating due to pain or addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaden A. Taha
- Center for Metabolic Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jordan R. Westra
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Office of Biostatistics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Danyel H. Tacker
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Laboratory Medicine, West Virginia University, WV, USA
| | - Mukaila A. Raji
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Sealy Center on Aging, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Yong-Fang Kuo
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Office of Biostatistics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Sealy Center on Aging, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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Choi NG, Choi BY, DiNitto DM, Marti CN, Baker SD. Polypharmacy and Healthcare Service Use Among Prescription Opioid Poisoning Cases Age 50. J Pharm Pract 2024; 37:151-161. [PMID: 36154746 DOI: 10.1177/08971900221129656] [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] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Objectives: To examine relationships between polypharmacy and level of healthcare service use among prescription opioid poisoning cases age 50 and older. Methods: Data came from the American Association of Poison Control Center's National Poison Data System, 2015-2020. We used multinomial logistic regression to examine the study questions. Results: Of the 77 946 cases with prescription opioid exposures, 64.5% were managed at a healthcare facility (HCF). Of HCF-managed cases, 41.2% were treated/evaluated and released and 21.3% and 37.5% were admitted for noncritical care and critical care, respectively. Medications for cardiovascular disease, benzodiazepines, other types of sedatives/hypnotics, antipsychotics, muscle relaxants, acetaminophen, and gabapentin were associated with increased risk of admission to both noncritical and critical care compared to treatment/evaluation and release. Acetaminophen use had the highest relative risk ratios (RRRs) for noncritical care (1.70, 95% CI = 1.51-1.91) and critical care (1.56, 95% CI = 1.39-1.76). Each additional medication/substance used was associated with 1.14 (95% CI = 1.11-1.17) and 1.19 (95% CI = 1.16-1.22) greater risk of noncritical and critical care admissions, respectively. Conclusions: Among older-adult poison control center cases for prescription opioid exposures, co-use of several commonly prescribed/used medicines was associated with increased risk of admissions to both noncritical and critical care units. Careful monitoring of medication use among older adults who use prescription opioids may reduce the risk of unintentional and intentional opioid poisoning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namkee G Choi
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Bryan Y Choi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Bayhealth Medical Center, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dover, DE, USA
| | - Diana M DiNitto
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - C Nathan Marti
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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Aquizerate A, Rousselet M, Cochard A, Guerlais M, Gerardin M, Lefebvre E, Duval M, Laforgue EJ, Victorri-Vigneau C. "Naloxone? Not for me!" First cross-assessment by patients and healthcare professionals of the risk of opioid overdose. Harm Reduct J 2024; 21:20. [PMID: 38263159 PMCID: PMC10804588 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-024-00941-y] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid-related mortality is a rising public health concern in France, where opioids were in 2021 implicated in 75% of overdose deaths. Opioid substitution treatment (OST) was implicated in almost half of deaths related to substance and drug abuse. Although naloxone could prevent 80% of these deaths, there are a number of barriers to the distribution of take-home naloxone (THN) among opioid users in France. This study is the first one which compares patients' self-assessment of the risk of future opioid overdose with the hetero-assessment provided by healthcare professionals in a population of individuals eligible for naloxone. METHODS This was a multicenter descriptive observational study carried out in pharmacies across the Pays de la Loire region (France) during April and May 2022. All adult patients who visited a participating pharmacy for a prescription of OST and provided oral informed consent were enrolled in the study. Retrospective data were collected through cross-sectional interviews conducted by the pharmacist with the patient, utilizing an ad hoc questionnaire. The patient's self-assessment of overdose risk was evaluated using a Likert scale from 0 to 10. The pharmacist relied on the presence or absence of overdose risk situations defined by the French Health Authority (HAS). The need to hold THN was assessed using a composite criterion. RESULTS A total of 34 patients were interviewed; near one third were aware of the existence of THN and a minority had THN in their possession. Out of the 34 participants, 29 assessed their own risk of future opioid overdose: 65.5% reported having zero risk, while 6.9% believed they had a high risk. Nevertheless, at least one risk situation of opioid overdose was identified according to HAS criteria in 73.5% of the participants (n = 25). Consequently, 55% of the participants underestimated their risk of experiencing a future opioid overdose. Yet, dispensing THN has been judged necessary for 88.2% of the participants. CONCLUSION This study underscored the imperative need to inform not only healthcare professionals but also the patients and users themselves on the availability of THN and the risk situations of opioid overdose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Aquizerate
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Centre d'Evaluation et d'Information sur la Pharmacodépendance-Addictovigilance (CEIP-A), Service de Pharmacologie Clinique, 44000, Nantes, France
| | - Morgane Rousselet
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Centre d'Evaluation et d'Information sur la Pharmacodépendance-Addictovigilance (CEIP-A), Service de Pharmacologie Clinique, 44000, Nantes, France
- Nantes Université, Univ Tours, CHU Nantes, CHU Tours, INSERM, MethodS in Patients-Centered Outcomes and HEalth Research, SPHERE, 44000, Nantes, France
| | - Axel Cochard
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Centre d'Evaluation et d'Information sur la Pharmacodépendance-Addictovigilance (CEIP-A), Service de Pharmacologie Clinique, 44000, Nantes, France
| | - Marylène Guerlais
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Centre d'Evaluation et d'Information sur la Pharmacodépendance-Addictovigilance (CEIP-A), Service de Pharmacologie Clinique, 44000, Nantes, France
| | - Marie Gerardin
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Centre d'Evaluation et d'Information sur la Pharmacodépendance-Addictovigilance (CEIP-A), Service de Pharmacologie Clinique, 44000, Nantes, France
| | - Emilie Lefebvre
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Centre d'Evaluation et d'Information sur la Pharmacodépendance-Addictovigilance (CEIP-A), Service de Pharmacologie Clinique, 44000, Nantes, France
| | - Mélanie Duval
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Centre d'Evaluation et d'Information sur la Pharmacodépendance-Addictovigilance (CEIP-A), Service de Pharmacologie Clinique, 44000, Nantes, France
| | - Edouard-Jules Laforgue
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Centre d'Evaluation et d'Information sur la Pharmacodépendance-Addictovigilance (CEIP-A), Service de Pharmacologie Clinique, 44000, Nantes, France
- Nantes Université, Univ Tours, CHU Nantes, CHU Tours, INSERM, MethodS in Patients-Centered Outcomes and HEalth Research, SPHERE, 44000, Nantes, France
| | - Caroline Victorri-Vigneau
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Centre d'Evaluation et d'Information sur la Pharmacodépendance-Addictovigilance (CEIP-A), Service de Pharmacologie Clinique, 44000, Nantes, France.
- Nantes Université, Univ Tours, CHU Nantes, CHU Tours, INSERM, MethodS in Patients-Centered Outcomes and HEalth Research, SPHERE, 44000, Nantes, France.
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Heisel LS, Andersen FD, Joca S, Sørensen LK, Simonsen U, Hasselstrøm JB, Andersen CU, Nielsen KL. Combined in vivo metabolic effects of quetiapine and methadone in brain and blood of rats. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:289-301. [PMID: 37870577 PMCID: PMC10761411 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03620-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Changes in pharmacokinetics and endogenous metabolites may underlie additive biological effects of concomitant use of antipsychotics and opioids. In this study, we employed untargeted metabolomics analysis and targeted analysis to examine the changes in drug metabolites and endogenous metabolites in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), midbrain, and blood of rats following acute co-administration of quetiapine and methadone. Rats were divided into four groups and received cumulative increasing doses of quetiapine (QTP), methadone (MTD), quetiapine + methadone (QTP + MTD), or vehicle (control). All samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Our findings revealed increased levels of the quetiapine metabolites: Norquetiapine, O-dealkylquetiapine, 7-hydroxyquetiapine, and quetiapine sulfoxide, in the blood and brain when methadone was present. Our study also demonstrated a decrease in methadone and its metabolite 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP) in the rat brain when quetiapine was present. Despite these findings, there were only small differences in the levels of 225-296 measured endogenous metabolites due to co-administration compared to single administrations. For example, N-methylglutamic acid, glutaric acid, p-hydroxyphenyllactic acid, and corticosterone levels were significantly decreased in the brain of rats treated with both compounds. Accumulation of serotonin in the midbrain was additionally observed in the MTD group, but not in the QTP + MTD group. In conclusion, this study in rats suggests a few but important additive metabolic effects when quetiapine and methadone are co-administered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Smedegaard Heisel
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, DK-8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Freja Drost Andersen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, DK-8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Sâmia Joca
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | - Ulf Simonsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Jørgen Bo Hasselstrøm
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, DK-8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Uggerhøj Andersen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, DK-8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens, Boulevard 99, DK-8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Kirstine Lykke Nielsen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, DK-8200, Aarhus N, Denmark.
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Kawashiri T, Sugawara H, Makihara K, Ohno R, Miyamoto Y, Hidaka N, Uchida M, Takase H. Medical Economic Effect of Pharmaceutical Interventions by Board-Certified Pharmacists in Palliative Pharmacy for Patients with Cancer Using Medical Narcotics in Japan: A Multicenter, Retrospective Study. J NIPPON MED SCH 2024; 91:59-65. [PMID: 38462441 DOI: 10.1272/jnms.jnms.2024_91-105] [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] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Japanese Society for Pharmaceutical Palliative Care and Sciences specializes in pharmacology in the field of palliative medicine. More than 700 board-certified pharmacists in palliative pharmacy (BCPPP) are actively involved in palliative pharmacotherapy at various hospitals and pharmacies. The purpose of this study was to determine the economic effect of pharmaceutical interventions by BCPPPs. METHODS This multicenter retrospective study included 27 medical centers and analyzed the medical economic effect of interventions by BCPPPs (17 pharmacists) and non-BCPPPs (24 pharmacists) on patients using medical narcotics for cancer pain in September 2021. RESULTS The percentage of patients who received a pharmaceutical intervention and whose drug costs were reduced by pharmacist intervention was significantly higher in the BCPPP group than in the non-BCPPP group. Although there was no significant difference between the two groups in drug cost reduction per patient per month (BCPPP group: $0.89 [-$64.91 to $106.76] vs. non-BCPPP group $0.00 [-$1,828.95 to $25.82]; P = 0.730), the medical economic benefit of pharmacist intervention in avoiding or reducing adverse drug reactions was higher in the BCPPP group ($103.18 [$0.00 to $628.03]) than in the non-BCPPP group ($0.00 [$0.00 to $628.03]) (P = 0.070). The total medical economic benefit-the sum of these-was significantly higher in the BCPPP group ($88.82 [-$14.62 to $705.37]) than in the non-BCPPP group ($0.66 [-$1,200.93 to $269.61]) (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION Pharmacological intervention for patients with cancer using medical narcotics may have a greater medical economic benefit when managed by BCPPPs than by non-certified pharmacists in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takehiro Kawashiri
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University
- Clinical Research Committee, Japanese Society for Pharmaceutical Palliative Care and Sciences (JSPPCS)
| | - Hideki Sugawara
- Department of Pharmacy, Kagoshima University Hospital
- Clinical Research Committee, Japanese Society for Pharmaceutical Palliative Care and Sciences (JSPPCS)
| | - Katsuya Makihara
- Department of Pharmacy, Yodogawa Christian Hospital
- Clinical Research Committee, Japanese Society for Pharmaceutical Palliative Care and Sciences (JSPPCS)
| | - Rintaro Ohno
- Department of Pharmacy, Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital
| | | | | | - Mayako Uchida
- Department of Education and Research Center for Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts
- Clinical Research Committee, Japanese Society for Pharmaceutical Palliative Care and Sciences (JSPPCS)
| | - Hisamitsu Takase
- Department of Pharmacy, Nippon Medical School Tama Nagayama Hospital
- Clinical Research Committee, Japanese Society for Pharmaceutical Palliative Care and Sciences (JSPPCS)
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Haider MR, Jayawardhana J. Opioid and benzodiazepine misuse in the United States: The impact of socio-demographic characteristics. Am J Addict 2024; 33:71-82. [PMID: 37689992 DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES In 2021, drug overdose deaths in the United States reached a new record of 107,622. Misuse of opioids and benzodiazepines accounts for a large portion of drug overdose deaths. However, the effects of socio-demographic characteristics on misuse of opioids and benzodiazepines are not evident. Thus, this study examines the socio-demographic characteristics associated with misuse of opioids and benzodiazepines among adults in the United States. METHODS Data from 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health was utilized in the multinomial logistic regression analysis and included 202,935 adults ages ≥18 years. RESULTS During 2015-2019, 3.3% of the adults misused opioids, 1.2% misused benzodiazepines, and 0.9% misused both drugs in the preceding year of the survey. Those who were younger, bisexual, non-Hispanic White, had a history of delinquency in the past year, had alcohol dependence/abuse, marijuana dependence/abuse, nicotine dependence and use, and experienced major depressive episodes were more likely to misuse opioids, benzodiazepines, or both. CONCLUSION AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE A large portion of US adults are misusing opioids, benzodiazepines, and both drugs. Specifically, bisexual individuals experience higher odds of opioid misuse, benzodiazepine misuse and misuse of both drugs compared with heterosexuals, while males are experiencing lower odds of benzodiazepine misuse compared with females. Individuals aged 26-49 experience the highest odds of opioid misuse, though misuse of both drugs was higher among the 18-25 age group. Findings underscore the use of targeted preventive measures to reduce misuse of these drugs among at-risk populations identified in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Rifat Haider
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Jayani Jayawardhana
- College of Public Health & College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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Zipursky JS, Everett K, Calzavara A, Gomes T, Juurlink DN. New Persistent Opioid Use After Childbirth. Obstet Gynecol 2023; 142:1440-1449. [PMID: 37917933 DOI: 10.1097/aog.0000000000005432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine factors associated with new persistent opioid use after childbirth. METHODS We conducted a population-based cohort study of individuals who initiated opioid therapy within 7 days of discharge from hospital after delivery between September 1, 2013, and September 30, 2021. The primary outcome was new persistent opioid use , which was defined as one or more prescriptions for an opioid within 90 days of the first postpartum prescription and one or more subsequent opioid prescriptions in the 91-365 days afterward. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess patient-, pregnancy-, and prescription-related factors associated with new persistent opioid use after delivery. RESULTS We identified 118,694 unique deliveries after which opioids were initiated, including 99,399 cesarean (83.7%) and 19,295 vaginal (16.3%) deliveries. Among mothers who initiated an opioid after delivery, 1,282 (10.8/1,000 deliveries) met our definition of new persistent opioid use in the subsequent year. Rates of new persistent opioid use were appreciably higher after vaginal (16.0/1,000) compared with cesarean (9.8/1,000) deliveries. Each additional 30 morphine milligram equivalents in the initial opioid prescription was associated with an increased risk of new persistent use after cesarean (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.06, 95% CI 1.04-1.08) and vaginal (aOR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.08) delivery. A concomitant benzodiazepine prescription after cesarean delivery was associated with a markedly increased risk of persistent opioid use (aOR 2.69, 95% CI 1.60-4.52). CONCLUSION Among people who filled an opioid prescription after delivery, about 1% displayed evidence of persistent opioid use in the subsequent year. Initial prescriptions for large quantities of opioids and a concurrent benzodiazepine prescription may be important modifiable risk factors to prevent new persistent opioid use after delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan S Zipursky
- Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, ICES, the Sunnybrook Research Institute, the Keenan Research Centre of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, and the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy and the Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Hochstatter KR, Nordeck C, Mitchell SG, Schwartz RP, Welsh C, Gryczynski J. Polysubstance use and post-discharge mortality risk among hospitalized patients with opioid use disorder. Prev Med Rep 2023; 36:102494. [PMID: 38116282 PMCID: PMC10728463 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Polysubstance use is becoming increasingly common and presents several harms. This study aimed to examine the association of comorbid cocaine, alcohol (binge drinking), and sedative use with mortality among hospitalized patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). A subsample of adult medical/surgical hospital patients with OUD who were seen by a hospital addiction consultation service in Baltimore City and enrolled in a randomized trial of a patient navigation intervention were included in this study (N = 314; 45 % female; 48 % White; mean age = 44). Death certificate data from the Maryland Division of Vital Records was used, covering 3.3-5.5 years post-discharge. Multivariable proportional hazards Cox regression and competing risks regression were used to estimate all-cause mortality and overdose mortality, respectively, as a function of concurrent use of cocaine, alcohol (binge drinking), and non-prescribed sedatives at baseline. In the 30 days prior to hospital admission, 230 (73 %) participants used cocaine, 64 (20 %) binge drank, and 45 (14 %) used non-prescribed sedatives. Nearly one-third (N = 98; 31 %) died during the observation period. Drug overdose caused 53 % (N = 52) of deaths. Older age (HR = 1.03 [1.01,1.05]; P = 0.001), less than high school education (HR = 0.36 [0.24,0.54]; P < 0.001), and past 30-day sedative use (HR = 2.05 [1.20,3.50]; P = 0.008) were significantly associated with all-cause mortality. The risk of overdose mortality was 62 % lower (HR = 0.38 [0.22,0.66]; P = 0.001) for those who completed high school. No other characteristics were significantly associated with overdose mortality. The concurrent use of opioids and sedatives increases the post-discharge mortality risk among hospitalized patients with OUD. Interventions are needed to prevent mortality among this high-risk population.
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Maust DT, Petzold K, Strominger J, Kim HM, Bohnert ASB. Benzodiazepine Discontinuation and Mortality Among Patients Receiving Long-Term Benzodiazepine Therapy. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2348557. [PMID: 38117495 PMCID: PMC10733804 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.48557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance There is interest in reducing long-term benzodiazepine prescribing given harms associated with use, but the cumulative risks or benefits of discontinuation are unknown. Objective To identify the association of benzodiazepine discontinuation with mortality and other adverse events among patients prescribed stable long-term benzodiazepine therapy, stratified by baseline opioid exposure. Design, Setting, and Participants This comparative effectiveness study with a trial emulation approach included data from a US commercial insurance database between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017. Eligible participants were adults with stable long-term benzodiazepine prescription treatment. Data were analyzed between December 2022 and November 2023. Exposure Benzodiazepine discontinuation, defined as no benzodiazepine prescription coverage for 31 consecutive days identified during a 6-month grace period after baseline. Main Outcome and Measures Mortality during 12 months of follow-up; secondary outcomes included nonfatal overdose, suicide attempt or self-inflicted injury, suicidal ideation, and emergency department use, identified in medical claims. Inverse probability weighting was used to adjust for baseline confounders that potentially affected treatment assignment and censoring due to death or disenrollment. Primary analysis used an intention-to-treat approach; a secondary per-protocol analysis estimated associations after accounting for nonadherence. Analyses were stratified by opioid use. Results The study included 213 011 (136 609 female [64.1%]; mean [SD] age, 62.2 [14.9] years; 2953 Asian [1.4%], 18 926 Black [8.9%], 22 734 Hispanic [10.7%], and 168 398 White [60.2%]) and 140 565 (91 811 female [65.3%]; mean [SD] age, 61.1 [13.2] years; 1319 Asian [0.9%], 15 945 Black [11.3%], 11 989 Hispanic [8.5%], and 111 312 White [79.2%]) patients with stable long-term benzodiazepine use without and with opioid exposure, respectively. Among the nonopioid exposed, the adjusted cumulative incidence of death after 1 year was 5.5% (95% CI, 5.4%-5.8%) for discontinuers, an absolute risk difference of 2.1 percentage points (95% CI, 1.9-2.3 percentage points) higher than for nondiscontinuers. The mortality risk was 1.6 (95% CI, 1.6-1.7) times that of nondiscontinuers. Among those with opioid exposure, the adjusted cumulative incidence of death was 6.3% (95% CI, 6.0%-6.6%) for discontinuers, an absolute risk difference of 2.4 percentage points (95% CI, 2.2-2.7 percentage points) higher than for nondiscontinuers and a mortality risk 1.6 (95% CI, 1.5-1.7) times that of nondiscontinuers. Cumulative incidence of secondary outcomes was also higher among discontinuers. Conclusions and Relevance This study identifies small absolute increases in risk of harms among patients with stable long-term prescription benzodiazepine treatment who appear to discontinue relative to continuing treatment, including those with and without recent prescription opioid exposure. Policy broadly promoting benzodiazepine discontinuation may have unintended risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donovan T. Maust
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Kierstdea Petzold
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Julie Strominger
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - H. Myra Kim
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Center for Statistical Consultation and Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Amy S. B. Bohnert
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
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Liu R, Calvert GM, Anderson KR, Malcolm H, Cimineri L, Dupont H, Martinez M. Opioid prescriptions among the World Trade Center Health Program population. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1323. [PMID: 38037041 PMCID: PMC10687786 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10233-z] [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: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Trade Center Health Program (Program) provides limited health care to those directly affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Because of physical/mental trauma arising from the 9/11 attacks, Program members might be at high risk of opioid use. To prevent prescription opioid overuse, in 2018 the Program implemented various measures to improve opioid prescribing and expand access to non-opioid pain management among Program members. However, the characteristics of opioid prescriptions dispensed among this population has never been described. METHODS Administrative and claims data from 07/01/2011 to 09/30/2022 were used to describe opioid prescriptions dispensed during 2013-2021. RESULTS From 2013-2021, 108,285 members were Program-enrolled for ≥ 10 months, 4,053 (3.7%) had 22,938 outpatient opioid prescriptions, of which, 62.1% were for cancer-related pain, 11.1% for hospice/end of life care, 4.8% for surgery pain, and 9.8% for acute/chronic pain. Among members with Program-paid diagnostic/treatment claims (n = 70,721), the proportion with opioid prescriptions for cancer/hospice/end of life care increased from 0.5% in 2013 to 1.6% in 2018 (p = 0.010), then decreased to 1.1% in 2021 (p = 0.070), and the proportion for non-cancer surgery/acute/chronic pain decreased from 0.6% in 2013 to 0.23% in 2021 (p = 0.0005). Among members prescribed opioids without cancer/hospice/sickle cell disease, the proportion who started with long-acting opioids or had opioid prescriptions from ≥ 4 prescribers were below 6.5% annually; the proportion receiving a high-dose (≥ 90 morphine milligram equivalents per day [MED]), or with concurrent opioids and benzodiazepines use, or who started opioids with MED ≥ 50 or with long duration (≥ 7 days' supply) were above 10% annually, but decreased since 2017. CONCLUSIONS Prevalence of outpatient opioid prescriptions paid by the Program was very low and prescriptions were primarily dispensed for cancer/hospice/end of life care. Although Program efforts to improve opioid prescribing coincided with improvements in outcomes, ongoing surveillance is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiling Liu
- World Trade Center Health Program, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
| | - Geoffrey M Calvert
- World Trade Center Health Program, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Kristi R Anderson
- World Trade Center Health Program, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Helen Malcolm
- World Trade Center Health Program, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Lauren Cimineri
- World Trade Center Health Program, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Hannah Dupont
- World Trade Center Health Program, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Marisol Martinez
- World Trade Center Health Program, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
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Diaz L, Eiden C, Jouanjus E, Frauger E, Fouilhé N, Djezzar S, Gibaja V, Boucher A, Le Boisselier R, Libert F, Caous AS, Monzon E, Guerlais M, Daveluy A, Fauconneau B, Peyrière H. Alprazolam misuse: Analysis of French Addictovigilance Network data from 2011 to 2020. Therapie 2023; 78:647-657. [PMID: 36918317 DOI: 10.1016/j.therap.2023.02.002] [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: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Alprazolam, a high-potency and short-acting anxiolytic benzodiazepine, is one of the most misused benzodiazepines in France. In the context of various reports on alprazolam misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic, the objective of this study was to assess alprazolam abuse potential by analyzing French addictovigilance and international data. METHODS Data collected from 2011 to 2020 using the following epidemiological tools of the French Addictovigilance Network were analyzed: spontaneous reports (SRs), OPPIDUM (addiction care center data), OSIAP (falsified prescriptions), DRAMES (substance-related deaths), and chemical submission surveys. Moreover, the VigiBase™ database was analyzed to evaluate alprazolam abuse liability worldwide. RESULTS During the study period, 675 SRs concerning alprazolam misuse were recorded (sex ratio: ̴1; median age: 39 years). The desired effects were intensification of the therapeutic anxiolytic effect, euphoric effect, and management of substance withdrawal. Alprazolam was the third and first benzodiazepine listed in OPPIDUM and OSIAP surveys. Analysis of the SR and OPPIDUM data showed a recent increase in the alprazolam-opioid combination. In DRAMES data, alprazolam was directly linked to 11 deaths (associated with opioids in 10/11). VigiBase™ data analysis highlighted that France was the third country with the most cases of alprazolam misuse. The disproportionality analysis showed that in France, alprazolam was associated with higher risk of misuse and dependence compared with other benzodiazepines: reporting odds ratio=1.43, (95% CI: 1.04-1.95) and=1.97 (95% CI:1.50-2.59), respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study highlighted an increase in various signals of alprazolam abuse in France, and an increased use of the alprazolam-opioid combination that was also linked to most of the recorded alprazolam-linked deaths. These signals have been reported also in the international literature, and should be thoroughly investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurine Diaz
- Addictovigilance Centre, Lapeyronie Hospital, CHU de Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Céline Eiden
- Addictovigilance Centre, Lapeyronie Hospital, CHU de Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Emilie Jouanjus
- Addictovigilance Centre, Medecine Faculty, CHU, 31000 Toulouse, France
| | | | | | - Samira Djezzar
- Addictovigilance Centre, Fernand Widal Hospital, 75000 Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Frédéric Libert
- Addictovigilance Centre-CHU Clermont-Ferrand, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | - Emilie Monzon
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité des Médicaments et Produits de Santé (ANSM), 93210 Saint Denis La Plaine, France
| | | | - Amélie Daveluy
- Addictovigilance Centre-CHU Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Hélène Peyrière
- Addictovigilance Centre, Lapeyronie Hospital, CHU de Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France; Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, CHU Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France.
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Coates S, Lazarus P. Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, and Morphine Metabolism and Drug-Drug Interactions. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2023; 387:150-169. [PMID: 37679047 PMCID: PMC10586512 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Awareness of drug interactions involving opioids is critical for patient treatment as they are common therapeutics used in numerous care settings, including both chronic and disease-related pain. Not only do opioids have narrow therapeutic indexes and are extensively used, but they have the potential to cause severe toxicity. Opioids are the classical pain treatment for patients who suffer from moderate to severe pain. More importantly, opioids are often prescribed in combination with multiple other drugs, especially in patient populations who typically are prescribed a large drug regimen. This review focuses on the current knowledge of common opioid drug-drug interactions (DDIs), focusing specifically on hydrocodone, oxycodone, and morphine DDIs. The DDIs covered in this review include pharmacokinetic DDI arising from enzyme inhibition or induction, primarily due to inhibition of cytochrome p450 enzymes (CYPs). However, opioids such as morphine are metabolized by uridine-5'-diphosphoglucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), principally UGT2B7, and glucuronidation is another important pathway for opioid-drug interactions. This review also covers several pharmacodynamic DDI studies as well as the basics of CYP and UGT metabolism, including detailed opioid metabolism and the potential involvement of metabolizing enzyme gene variation in DDI. Based upon the current literature, further studies are needed to fully investigate and describe the DDI potential with opioids in pain and related disease settings to improve clinical outcomes for patients. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: A review of the literature focusing on drug-drug interactions involving opioids is important because they can be toxic and potentially lethal, occurring through pharmacodynamic interactions as well as pharmacokinetic interactions occurring through inhibition or induction of drug metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelby Coates
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington
| | - Philip Lazarus
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington
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Wang L, Hong PJ, Jiang W, Rehman Y, Hong BY, Couban RJ, Wang C, Hayes CJ, Juurlink DN, Busse JW. Predictors of fatal and nonfatal overdose after prescription of opioids for chronic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. CMAJ 2023; 195:E1399-E1411. [PMID: 37871953 PMCID: PMC10593195 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.230459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Higher doses of opioids, mental health comorbidities, co-prescription of sedatives, lower socioeconomic status and a history of opioid overdose have been reported as risk factors for opioid overdose; however, the magnitude of these associations and their credibility are unclear. We sought to identify predictors of fatal and nonfatal overdose from prescription opioids. METHODS We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Web of Science up to Oct. 30, 2022, for observational studies that explored predictors of opioid overdose after their prescription for chronic pain. We performed random-effects meta-analyses for all predictors reported by 2 or more studies using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS Twenty-eight studies (23 963 716 patients) reported the association of 103 predictors with fatal or nonfatal opioid overdose. Moderate- to high-certainty evidence supported large relative associations with history of overdose (OR 5.85, 95% CI 3.78-9.04), higher opioid dose (OR 2.57, 95% CI 2.08-3.18 per 90-mg increment), 3 or more prescribers (OR 4.68, 95% CI 3.57-6.12), 4 or more dispensing pharmacies (OR 4.92, 95% CI 4.35-5.57), prescription of fentanyl (OR 2.80, 95% CI 2.30-3.41), current substance use disorder (OR 2.62, 95% CI 2.09-3.27), any mental health diagnosis (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.73-2.61), depression (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.57-3.14), bipolar disorder (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.77-2.41) or pancreatitis (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.52-2.64), with absolute risks among patients with the predictor ranging from 2-6 per 1000 for fatal overdose and 4-12 per 1000 for nonfatal overdose. INTERPRETATION We identified 10 predictors that were strongly associated with opioid overdose. Awareness of these predictors may facilitate shared decision-making regarding prescribing opioids for chronic pain and inform harm-reduction strategies SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/vznxj/).
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Department of Anesthesia (L. Wang, Busse); The Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care (L. Wang, Rehman, Couban, Busse); Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact (L. Wang, Rehman, Busse), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (P.J. Hong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Faculty of Health Science (Jiang), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery (B.Y. Hong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Guangdong Science and Technology Library (C. Wang), Institute of Information, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Department of Biomedical Informatics (Hayes), College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Ark.; Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research (Hayes), Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, Ark.; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Juurlink); Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (Juurlink); Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation (Juurlink), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
| | - Patrick J Hong
- Department of Anesthesia (L. Wang, Busse); The Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care (L. Wang, Rehman, Couban, Busse); Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact (L. Wang, Rehman, Busse), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (P.J. Hong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Faculty of Health Science (Jiang), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery (B.Y. Hong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Guangdong Science and Technology Library (C. Wang), Institute of Information, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Department of Biomedical Informatics (Hayes), College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Ark.; Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research (Hayes), Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, Ark.; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Juurlink); Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (Juurlink); Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation (Juurlink), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Wenjun Jiang
- Department of Anesthesia (L. Wang, Busse); The Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care (L. Wang, Rehman, Couban, Busse); Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact (L. Wang, Rehman, Busse), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (P.J. Hong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Faculty of Health Science (Jiang), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery (B.Y. Hong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Guangdong Science and Technology Library (C. Wang), Institute of Information, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Department of Biomedical Informatics (Hayes), College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Ark.; Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research (Hayes), Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, Ark.; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Juurlink); Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (Juurlink); Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation (Juurlink), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Yasir Rehman
- Department of Anesthesia (L. Wang, Busse); The Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care (L. Wang, Rehman, Couban, Busse); Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact (L. Wang, Rehman, Busse), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (P.J. Hong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Faculty of Health Science (Jiang), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery (B.Y. Hong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Guangdong Science and Technology Library (C. Wang), Institute of Information, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Department of Biomedical Informatics (Hayes), College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Ark.; Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research (Hayes), Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, Ark.; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Juurlink); Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (Juurlink); Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation (Juurlink), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Brian Y Hong
- Department of Anesthesia (L. Wang, Busse); The Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care (L. Wang, Rehman, Couban, Busse); Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact (L. Wang, Rehman, Busse), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (P.J. Hong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Faculty of Health Science (Jiang), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery (B.Y. Hong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Guangdong Science and Technology Library (C. Wang), Institute of Information, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Department of Biomedical Informatics (Hayes), College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Ark.; Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research (Hayes), Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, Ark.; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Juurlink); Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (Juurlink); Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation (Juurlink), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Rachel J Couban
- Department of Anesthesia (L. Wang, Busse); The Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care (L. Wang, Rehman, Couban, Busse); Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact (L. Wang, Rehman, Busse), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (P.J. Hong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Faculty of Health Science (Jiang), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery (B.Y. Hong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Guangdong Science and Technology Library (C. Wang), Institute of Information, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Department of Biomedical Informatics (Hayes), College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Ark.; Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research (Hayes), Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, Ark.; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Juurlink); Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (Juurlink); Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation (Juurlink), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Chunming Wang
- Department of Anesthesia (L. Wang, Busse); The Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care (L. Wang, Rehman, Couban, Busse); Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact (L. Wang, Rehman, Busse), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (P.J. Hong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Faculty of Health Science (Jiang), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery (B.Y. Hong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Guangdong Science and Technology Library (C. Wang), Institute of Information, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Department of Biomedical Informatics (Hayes), College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Ark.; Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research (Hayes), Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, Ark.; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Juurlink); Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (Juurlink); Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation (Juurlink), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Corey J Hayes
- Department of Anesthesia (L. Wang, Busse); The Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care (L. Wang, Rehman, Couban, Busse); Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact (L. Wang, Rehman, Busse), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (P.J. Hong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Faculty of Health Science (Jiang), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery (B.Y. Hong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Guangdong Science and Technology Library (C. Wang), Institute of Information, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Department of Biomedical Informatics (Hayes), College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Ark.; Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research (Hayes), Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, Ark.; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Juurlink); Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (Juurlink); Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation (Juurlink), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - David N Juurlink
- Department of Anesthesia (L. Wang, Busse); The Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care (L. Wang, Rehman, Couban, Busse); Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact (L. Wang, Rehman, Busse), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (P.J. Hong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Faculty of Health Science (Jiang), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery (B.Y. Hong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Guangdong Science and Technology Library (C. Wang), Institute of Information, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Department of Biomedical Informatics (Hayes), College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Ark.; Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research (Hayes), Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, Ark.; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Juurlink); Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (Juurlink); Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation (Juurlink), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Jason W Busse
- Department of Anesthesia (L. Wang, Busse); The Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care (L. Wang, Rehman, Couban, Busse); Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact (L. Wang, Rehman, Busse), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (P.J. Hong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Faculty of Health Science (Jiang), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery (B.Y. Hong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Guangdong Science and Technology Library (C. Wang), Institute of Information, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Department of Biomedical Informatics (Hayes), College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Ark.; Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research (Hayes), Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, Ark.; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Juurlink); Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (Juurlink); Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation (Juurlink), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
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Brady BR, Taj EA, Cameron E, Yoder AM, De La Rosa JS. A Diagram of the Social-Ecological Conditions of Opioid Misuse and Overdose. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6950. [PMID: 37887688 PMCID: PMC10606085 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20206950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
The United States is experiencing a crisis of opioid misuse and overdose. To understand the underlying factors, researchers have begun looking upstream to identify social and structural determinants. However, no study has yet aggregated these into a comprehensive ecology of opioid overdose. We scoped 68 literature sources and compiled a master list of opioid misuse and overdose conditions. We grouped the conditions and used the Social Ecological Model to organize them into a diagram. We reviewed the diagram with nine subject matter experts (SMEs) who provided feedback on its content, design, and usefulness. From a literature search and SME interviews, we identified 80 unique conditions of opioid overdose and grouped them into 16 categories. In the final diagram, we incorporated 40 SME-recommended changes. In commenting on the diagram's usefulness, SMEs explained that the diagram could improve intervention planning by demonstrating the complexity of opioid overdose and highlighting structural factors. However, care is required to strike a balance between comprehensiveness and legibility. Multiple design formats may be useful, depending on the communication purpose and audience. This ecological diagram offers a visual perspective of the conditions of opioid overdose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin R. Brady
- Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center, University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (E.A.T.); (E.C.); (J.S.D.L.R.)
- School of Interdisciplinary Health Programs, College of Health and Human Services, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA
| | - Ehmer A. Taj
- Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center, University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (E.A.T.); (E.C.); (J.S.D.L.R.)
| | - Elena Cameron
- Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center, University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (E.A.T.); (E.C.); (J.S.D.L.R.)
| | - Aaron M. Yoder
- Comagine Health, Seattle, WA 98133, USA;
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Jennifer S. De La Rosa
- Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center, University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (E.A.T.); (E.C.); (J.S.D.L.R.)
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
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Syed O, Jancic P, Fink AB, Knezevic NN. Drug Safety and Suicidality Risk of Chronic Pain Medications. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1497. [PMID: 37895968 PMCID: PMC10609967 DOI: 10.3390/ph16101497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is one of the main leading causes of disability in the world at present. A variety in the symptomatology, intensity and duration of this phenomenon has led to an ever-increasing demand of pharmacological treatment and relief. This demand for medication, ranging from well-known groups, such as antidepressants and benzodiazepines, to more novel drugs, was followed by a rise in safety concerns of such treatment options. The validity, frequency, and diversity of such concerns are discussed in this paper, as well as their possible effect on future prescription practices. A specific caution is provided towards the psychological safety and toll of these medications, regarding suicidality and suicidal ideation. Most significantly, this paper highlights the importance of pharmacovigilance and underscores the necessity of surveillance programs when considering chronic pain medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osman Syed
- Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Chicago, IL 60657, USA; (O.S.); (P.J.); (A.B.F.)
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA
| | - Predrag Jancic
- Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Chicago, IL 60657, USA; (O.S.); (P.J.); (A.B.F.)
| | - Adam B. Fink
- Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Chicago, IL 60657, USA; (O.S.); (P.J.); (A.B.F.)
- Harborview Medical Center, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - Nebojsa Nick Knezevic
- Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Chicago, IL 60657, USA; (O.S.); (P.J.); (A.B.F.)
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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Durand L, Keenan E, O'Reilly D, Bennett K, O'Hara A, Cousins G. Prescription drugs with potential for misuse in Irish prisons: analysis of national prison prescribing trends, by gender and history of opioid use disorder, 2012 to 2020. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:725. [PMID: 37803285 PMCID: PMC10559424 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05195-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacotherapy is essential for the delivery of an equivalent standard of care in prison. Prescribing can be challenging due to the complex health needs of prisoners and the risk of misuse of prescription drugs. This study examines prescribing trends for drugs with potential for misuse (opioids, benzodiazepines, Z-drugs, and gabapentinoids) in Irish prisons and whether trends vary by gender and history of opioid use disorder (OUD). METHODS A repeated cross-sectional study between 2012 and 2020 using electronic prescribing records from the Irish Prison Services, covering all prisons in the Republic of Ireland was carried out. Prescribing rates per 1,000 prison population were calculated. Negative binomial (presenting adjusted rate ratios (ARR) per year and 95% confidence intervals) and joinpoint regressions were used to estimate time trends adjusting for gender, and for gender specific analyses of prescribing trends over time by history of OUD. RESULTS A total of 10,371 individuals were prescribed opioid agonist treatment (OAT), opioids, benzodiazepines, Z-drugs or gabapentinoids during study period. History of OUD was higher in women, with a median rate of 597 per 1,000 female prisoners, compared to 161 per 1,000 male prisoners. Prescribing time trends, adjusted for gender, showed prescribing rates decreased over time for prescription opioids (ARR 0.82, 95% CI 0.80-0.85), benzodiazepines (ARR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.999), Z-drugs (ARR 0.90, 95% CI 0.88-0.92), but increased for gabapentinoids (ARR 1.07, 95% CI 1.05-1.08). However, prescribing rates declined for each drug class between 2019 and 2020. Women were significantly more likely to be prescribed benzodiazepines, Z-drugs and gabapentinoids relative to men. Gender-specific analyses found that men with OUD, relative to men without, were more likely to be prescribed benzodiazepines (ARR 1.49, 95% CI 1.41-1.58), Z-drugs (ARR 10.09, 95% CI 9.0-11.31), gabapentinoids (ARR 2.81, 95% CI 2.66-2.97). For women, history of OUD was associated with reduced gabapentinoid prescribing (ARR 0.33, 95% CI 0.28-0.39). CONCLUSIONS While the observed reductions in prescription opioid, benzodiazepine and Z-drug prescribing is consistent with guidance for safe prescribing in prisons, the increase in gabapentinoid (primarily pregabalin) prescribing and the high level of prescribing to women is concerning. Our findings suggest targeted interventions may be needed to address prescribing in women, and men with a history of OUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Durand
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, 123 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Eamon Keenan
- National Social Inclusion Office, Health Service Executive, Mill Lane, Palmerstown, Dublin 20, Ireland
| | - Deirdre O'Reilly
- Irish Prison Service, IDA Business Park, Ballinalee Road, Longford, Ireland
| | - Kathleen Bennett
- Data Science Centre, School of Population Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Lower Mercer Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Andy O'Hara
- UISCE, National Advocacy Service for People who use Drugs in Ireland, 8 Cabra road, Dublin 7, Ireland
| | - Gráinne Cousins
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, 123 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
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Eide D, McDonald R, Hamina A, Clausen T, Odsbu I, Skurtveit S. Prescription high-risk polysubstance use among opioid maintenance treatment patients. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023:104196. [PMID: 37741700 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104196] [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: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among individuals receiving buprenorphine or methadone as opioid maintenance treatment (OMT), concomitant use of other central nervous system depressants, including prescription drugs, can increase risk of overdose. We aimed to 1) determine the prevalence of use of high-risk prescription drugs (opioid analgesics, benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine-related drugs, and gabapentinoids) among OMT patients, 2) calculate its associations with different mental health and pain-related diagnoses, and 3) compare prevalence of concomitant use with the general population. METHODS A national sample comprising all individuals filling at least one prescription of OMT drugs in Norway in 2019 was formed. Healthcare registry data were linked to investigate high-risk prescription drug use and different diagnoses. We calculated one-year prevalence of use, amount dispensed in defined daily doses (DDDs), and the number of prescribers for the different high-risk prescription drugs. Logistic regression was used to determine associations (adjusted odds ratios; aOR, 95% confidence intervals (CIs)) between diagnoses and use. Prevalence of use was calculated both in the OMT patient sample and the general population. RESULTS Among the OMT patient sample (n=7,299), 47.6% (n=3,476) filled prescriptions for benzodiazepines. For each high-risk prescription drug group, there was a median of 1-2 prescribers. Musculoskeletal diagnoses were the strongest factor for concomitant high-risk prescription drug use for both males (aOR 3.23, CI: 2.72-3.85) and females (aOR 3.07, CI: 2.42- 3.90). The 1-year prevalence of benzodiazepine use was 11.4 times higher for males and 7.1 times higher for females in OMT than the general population. The amount in DDDs was higher for every drug for OMT patients than the general population, particularly for benzodiazepines. CONCLUSIONS OMT patients frequently filled prescriptions for high-risk drugs, and in higher dosages than the general population. However, we found little evidence of 'doctor shopping.' Given that these prescription drugs carry overdose risk, particularly when combined with OMT drugs, our findings emphasize the continued need for education and caution to both prescribers and patients on their concomitant use with OMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desiree Eide
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research University of Oslo, 166 Kirkeveien 0450 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Rebecca McDonald
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research University of Oslo, 166 Kirkeveien 0450 Oslo, Norway
| | - Aleksi Hamina
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research University of Oslo, 166 Kirkeveien 0450 Oslo, Norway
| | - Thomas Clausen
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research University of Oslo, 166 Kirkeveien 0450 Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingvild Odsbu
- Department of Chronic Diseases Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222 Skøyen 0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Svetlana Skurtveit
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research University of Oslo, 166 Kirkeveien 0450 Oslo, Norway; Department of Chronic Diseases Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222 Skøyen 0213 Oslo, Norway
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Schaffer AL, Gisev N, Blyth FM, Buckley NA, Currow D, Dobbins TA, Wilson A, Degenhardt L, Pearson S. Opioid prescribing patterns among medical practitioners in New South Wales, Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev 2023; 42:1472-1481. [PMID: 37159416 PMCID: PMC10946566 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prescriber behaviour is important for understanding opioid use patterns. We described variations in practitioner-level opioid prescribing in New South Wales, Australia (2013-2018). METHODS We quantified opioid prescribing patterns among medical practitioners using population-level dispensing claims data, and used partitioning around medoids to identify clusters of practitioners who prescribe opioids based on prescribing patterns and patient characteristics identified from linked dispensing claims, hospitalisations and mortality data. RESULTS The number of opioid prescribers ranged from 20,179 in 2013 to 23,408 in 2018. The top 1% of practitioners prescribed 15% of all oral morphine equivalent (OME) milligrams dispensed annually, with a median of 1382 OME grams (interquartile range [IQR], 1234-1654) per practitioner; the bottom 50% prescribed 1% of OMEs dispensed, with a median of 0.9 OME grams (IQR 0.2-2.6). Based on 63.6% of practitioners with ≥10 patients filling opioid prescriptions in 2018, we identified four distinct practitioner clusters. The largest cluster prescribed multiple analgesic medicines for older patients (23.7% of practitioners) accounted for 76.7% of all OMEs dispensed and comprised 93.0% of the top 1% of practitioners by opioid volume dispensed. The cluster prescribing analgesics for younger patients with high rates of surgery (18.7% of practitioners) prescribed only 1.6% of OMEs. The remaining two clusters comprised 21.2% of prescribers and 20.9% of OMEs dispensed. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION We observed substantial variation in opioid prescribing among practitioners, clustered around four general patterns. We did not assess appropriateness but some prescribing patterns are concerning. Our findings provide insights for targeted interventions to curb potentially harmful practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L. Schaffer
- School of Population HealthFaculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Natasa Gisev
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Fiona M. Blyth
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Nicholas A. Buckley
- Biomedical Informatics and Digital Health, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - David Currow
- Faculty of Science, Medicine and HealthUniversity of WollongongWollongongAustralia
| | - Timothy A. Dobbins
- School of Population HealthFaculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Andrew Wilson
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Sallie‐Anne Pearson
- School of Population HealthFaculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW SydneySydneyAustralia
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyAustralia
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Fuentes Payán W, González Lorenzo K, Gelabert Martínez F, Conte Schmidt N, Tortolero-Luna G, Ramos-Fernández MR, Gierbolini-Bérmudez A, Melin K, Ortiz-Ortiz KJ. Association Between Concurrent Use of Benzodiazepines and Opioids and Health Care Utilization Among Patients With Cancer in Puerto Rico. JCO Glob Oncol 2023; 9:e2300008. [PMID: 37797283 PMCID: PMC10664853 DOI: 10.1200/go.23.00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the association between concurrent use of opioids and benzodiazepines (BZDs) and emergency room (ER) visits and hospital admissions in patients with cancer. METHODS Data were obtained from the Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry-Health Insurance Linkage. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs and incidence rate ratio (IRR) were estimated using logistic and negative binomial regression analyses to assess the association between concurrent use of opioids and BZDs (overlap of at least 7 days) and ER visits and hospital admissions. RESULTS A total of 9,259 patients were included in the main analysis. The logistic regression results showed a significant association between concurrent use of opioids and BZDs and at least one ER visit (OR, 1.28 [95% CI, 1.07 to 1.54]) or hospital admission (OR, 1.42 [95% CI, 1.18 to 1.71]) compared with individuals with BZDs alone, after adjusting for age, sex, comorbidity index, cancer stage, health insurance, and health region. Compared with individuals with opioid use alone, the association did not reach significance. In the negative binomial regression, a significant association was observed for ER visits (IRR, 1.52 [95% CI, 1.31 to 1.76]) and hospitalizations (IRR, 1.34 [95% CI, 1.20 to 1.50]) when compared with individuals with BZDs alone. Compared with individuals with opioids alone, it only reached significance for ER visits (IRR, 1.39 [95% CI, 1.20 to 1.61]). CONCLUSION Careful evaluation must be done before prescribing concurrent opioids and BZDs in patients with cancer, as the results suggest that coprescribing may increase the odds of ER visits and hospitalizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilmarie Fuentes Payán
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Keyla González Lorenzo
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | | | - Nelly Conte Schmidt
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Guillermo Tortolero-Luna
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - María R. Ramos-Fernández
- Emergency Medicine Department, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Axel Gierbolini-Bérmudez
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- School of Public Health, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Kyle Melin
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Karen J. Ortiz-Ortiz
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- School of Public Health, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
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Beyene K, Fahmy H, Chan AHY, Tomlin A, Cheung G. Predictors of persistent opioid use in non-cancer older adults: a retrospective cohort study. Age Ageing 2023; 52:afad167. [PMID: 37659093 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afad167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-term opioid use and associated adverse outcomes have increased dramatically in recent years. Limited research is available on long-term opioid use in older adults. OBJECTIVE We aimed to determine the incidence and predictors of long-term or persistent opioid use (POU) amongst opioid-naïve older adults without a cancer diagnosis. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study using five national administrative healthcare databases in New Zealand. We included all opioid-naïve older adults (≥65 years) who were initiated on opioid therapy between January 2013 and June 2018. The outcome of interest was POU, defined as having continuously filled ≥1 opioid prescription within 91-180 days after the index opioid prescription. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the predictors of POU. RESULTS The final sample included 268,857 opioid-naïve older adults; of these, 5,849(2.2%) developed POU. Several predictors of POU were identified. The use of fentanyl (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.61; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.63-4.95), slow-release opioids (AOR = 3.02; 95%CI 2.78-3.29), strong opioids (AOR = 2.03; 95%CI 1.55-2.65), Charlson Comorbidity Score ≥ 3 (AOR = 2.09; 95% CI 1.78-2.46), history of substance abuse (AOR = 1.52; 95%CI 1.35-1.72), living in most socioeconomically deprived areas (AOR = 1.40; 95%CI 1.27-1.54), and anti-epileptics (AOR = 2.07; 95%CI 1.89-2.26), non-opioid analgesics (AOR = 2.05; 95%CI 1.89-2.21), antipsychotics (AOR = 1.96; 95%CI 1.78-2.17) or antidepressants (AOR = 1.50; 95%CI 1.41-1.59) medication use were the strongest predictors of POU. CONCLUSION A significant proportion of patients developed POU, and several factors were associated with POU. The findings will enable healthcare providers and policymakers to target early interventions to prevent POU and related adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kebede Beyene
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Hoda Fahmy
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Amy Hai Yan Chan
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andrew Tomlin
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Gary Cheung
- Department of Psychological Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Hutchison RW, Carhart J. Opioid and benzodiazepine utilization patterns in metropolitan and rural Texas. J Opioid Manag 2023; 19:433-443. [PMID: 37968977 DOI: 10.5055/jom.0817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although many drugs are implicated in the crisis, opioids and concomitant sedatives are associated with increased overdose risk in both rural and urban communities. Individuals in rural areas are up to 5-fold more likely to experience adverse outcomes related to opioids. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate concomitant use of opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions in Texas, compare metropolitan and rural differences, and use these data to inform clinicians and to help develop harm reduction strategies. METHODS Prescribing data were extracted from the Texas Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) public use data file, the statewide monitoring program administered by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy. An overlapping drug combination prescription day was defined as any day in which a patient had at least one of the overlapping drug types-eg, opioid + benzodiazepine, opioid + benzodiazepine + carisoprodol. RESULTS In Texas, 47.4 percent of the counties with the highest number of overlapping days (per patient) bordered other states. Providers who practice in rural areas prescribe opioid and benzodiazepine medications with 8.2 more overlapping days per quarter. DISCUSSION Taking both opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions is associated with increased overdose risk. Opioid prescription data provide a distinct view into the opioid epidemic that allows all states and counties to view the trends of opioid utilization. There are only a few studies using PDMP data to compare urban and rural trends. CONCLUSIONS Rural patients had more benzodiazepine and opioid days overlap than urban patients. The prevalence is higher among older adults and providers who practice in rural areas (average 8.2 more days per quarter). Our findings in Texas indicate a trend downward in overlap for both rural and urban areas over the last year of measurement. However, rural areas are still significantly higher.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert W Hutchison
- Texas A&M University, Round Rock, Texas. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0013-328X
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Bhatraju E, Liebschutz JM, Lodi S, Forman LS, Lira MC, Kim TW, Colasanti J, Del Rio C, Samet JH, Tsui JI. Post-traumatic stress disorder and risky opioid use among persons living with HIV and chronic pain. AIDS Care 2023; 35:1173-1180. [PMID: 33535800 PMCID: PMC8333265 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2021.1876838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Persons with HIV (PWH) experience chronic pain and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at higher rates than the general population, and more often receive opioid medications to treat chronic pain. A known association exists between PTSD and substance use disorders, but less is known about the relationship between PTSD and risky opioid use among PWH taking prescribed opioid medications. In this observational study of PWH on long-term opioid medications for pain we examined associations between PTSD symptom severity based on the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5, response range 0-80) and the following outcomes: 1) risk for opioid misuse (COMM score ≥13); 2) risky alcohol use (AUDIT score ≥8); 3) concurrent benzodiazepine prescription; and 4) morphine equivalent dose. Among 166 patients, 38 (23%) had a PCL-5 score over 38, indicating high PTSD symptom burden. Higher PCL-5 score (per 10 point difference) was associated with increased odds of opioid misuse (aOR 1.55; 95%CI: 1.31-1.83) and risky drinking (aOR: 1.28;1.07-1.52). No significant association was observed between PCL-5 score and benzodiazepine prescriptions or morphine equivalent dose. These findings suggest that when addressing alcohol and opioid use in PWH on long term opioid therapy, attention to PTSD symptoms is especially important given the higher risk for risky alcohol and opioid use among patients with this common comorbid condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elenore Bhatraju
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center and University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jane M Liebschutz
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Center for Research on Health Care, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sara Lodi
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Leah S Forman
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center (BEDAC), Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marlene C Lira
- Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center/Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Theresa W Kim
- Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center/Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan Colasanti
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Carlos Del Rio
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jeffrey H Samet
- Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center/Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Judith I Tsui
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center and University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
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Castillo-Carniglia A, Rivera-Aguirre A, Santaella-Tenorio J, Fink DS, Crystal S, Ponicki W, Gruenewald P, Martins SS, Keyes KM, Cerdá M. Changes in Opioid and Benzodiazepine Poisoning Deaths After Cannabis Legalization in the US: A County-level Analysis, 2002-2020. Epidemiology 2023; 34:467-475. [PMID: 36943813 PMCID: PMC10712490 DOI: 10.1097/ede.0000000000001609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis legalization for medical and recreational purposes has been suggested as an effective strategy to reduce opioid and benzodiazepine use and deaths. We examined the county-level association between medical and recreational cannabis laws and poisoning deaths involving opioids and benzodiazepines in the US from 2002 to 2020. METHODS Our ecologic county-level, spatiotemporal study comprised 49 states. Exposures were state-level implementation of medical and recreational cannabis laws and state-level initiation of cannabis dispensary sales. Our main outcomes were poisoning deaths involving any opioid, any benzodiazepine, and opioids with benzodiazepines. Secondary analyses included overdoses involving natural and semi-synthetic opioids, synthetic opioids, and heroin. RESULTS Implementation of medical cannabis laws was associated with increased deaths involving opioids (rate ratio [RR] = 1.14; 95% credible interval [CrI] = 1.11, 1.18), benzodiazepines (RR = 1.19; 95% CrI = 1.12, 1.26), and opioids+benzodiazepines (RR = 1.22; 95% CrI = 1.15, 1.30). Medical cannabis legalizations allowing dispensaries was associated with fewer deaths involving opioids (RR = 0.88; 95% CrI = 0.85, 0.91) but not benzodiazepine deaths; results for recreational cannabis implementation and opioid deaths were similar (RR = 0.81; 95% CrI = 0.75, 0.88). Recreational cannabis laws allowing dispensary sales was associated with consistent reductions in opioid- (RR = 0.83; 95% CrI = 0.76, 0.91), benzodiazepine- (RR = 0.79; 95% CrI = 0.68, 0.92), and opioid+benzodiazepine-related poisonings (RR = 0.83; 95% CrI = 0.70, 0.98). CONCLUSIONS Implementation of medical cannabis laws was associated with higher rates of opioid- and benzodiazepine-related deaths, whereas laws permitting broader cannabis access, including implementation of recreational cannabis laws and medical and recreational dispensaries, were associated with lower rates. The estimated effects of the expanded availability of cannabis seem dependent on the type of law implemented and its provisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Castillo-Carniglia
- Society and Health Research Center and School of Public Health, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Artes, Universidad Mayor, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus for the Evaluation and Analysis of Drug Policies (nDP), Chile
- Millennium Nucleus on Sociomedicine (Sociomed), Chile
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, NY
| | - Ariadne Rivera-Aguirre
- Millennium Nucleus for the Evaluation and Analysis of Drug Policies (nDP), Chile
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, NY
| | | | | | - Stephen Crystal
- Center for Health Services Research, Institute for Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - William Ponicki
- Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Berkeley, CA
| | - Paul Gruenewald
- Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Berkeley, CA
| | | | | | - Magdalena Cerdá
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, NY
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