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Crepeault H, Ti L, Jutras-Aswad D, Wood E, Le Foll B, Lim R, Bach P, Brar R, Socias ME. Correlates of nonfatal overdose among treatment-seeking individuals with non-heroin opioid use disorder: Findings from a pragmatic, pan-Canadian, randomized control trial. J Subst Use Addict Treat 2023; 155:209158. [PMID: 37683803 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2023.209158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Misuse of prescription and synthetic opioids is a primary contributor to the escalating overdose crisis in North America. However, factors associated with nonfatal overdose (NFO) in this context are poorly understood. We examined individual and socio-structural level correlates of NFO among treatment-seeking adults with an opioid use disorder (OUD) not attributed to heroin (nonheroin opioid use disorder [NH-OUD]). METHODS The study drew data from OPTIMA, a pan-Canadian, multicenter, pragmatic, two-arm randomized control trial comparing supervised methadone and flexible take-home dosing buprenorphine/naloxone models of care among adults with NH-OUD conducted between 2017 and 2020. We used bivariable and multivariable logistic regression to determine factors associated with a lifetime history of NFO among participants enrolled in the trial. RESULTS Of 267 included participants, 154 (58%) reported a NFO in their lifetime, of whom 83 (55 %) had an NFO in the last 6 months. In multivariable analyses, positive urine drug test (UDT) for methamphetamine/amphetamine (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 2.59; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.17-5.80), positive UDT for fentanyl (AOR = 2.31; 95 % CI: 1.01-5.30), receiving income assistance (AOR = 2.17; 95 % CI: 1.18-4.09) and homelessness (AOR = 2.40; 95 % CI: 1.25-4.68) were positively associated with a lifetime history of NFO. CONCLUSIONS We found a high prevalence of NFO history in treatment-seeking adults with NH-OUD, particularly among participants with certain drug use patterns and markers of socio-structural marginalization at the time of enrollment. Given the known impact of prior NFO on future harms, these findings highlight the need for comprehensive care approaches that address polysubstance use and social determinants of health to mitigate future overdose risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Crepeault
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Lianping Ti
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Didier Jutras-Aswad
- Research Centre, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Evan Wood
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Bernard Le Foll
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Sciences Building, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada; Acute Care Programme, CAMH, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ron Lim
- Department of Family Medicine and Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Paxton Bach
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Rupinder Brar
- Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Regional Addiction Program, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - M Eugenia Socias
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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Eugenia Socias M, Choi JC, Fairbairn N, Johnson C, Wilson D, Debeck K, Brar R, Hayashi K. Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on enrollment in medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in Vancouver, Canada: An interrupted time series analysis. Int J Drug Policy 2023; 118:104075. [PMID: 37271070 PMCID: PMC10201318 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In anticipation of COVID-19 related disruptions to opioid use disorder (OUD) care, new provincial and federal guidance for the management of OUD and risk mitigation guidance (RMG) for prescription of pharmaceutical opioids were introduced in British Columbia, Canada, in March 2020. This study evaluated the combined impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and counteracting OUD policies on enrollment in medications for OUD (MOUD). METHODS Using data from three cohorts of people with presumed OUD in Vancouver, we conducted an interrupted time series analysis to estimate the combined effects impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and counteracting OUD policies on the prevalence of enrollment in MOUD overall, as well as in individual MOUDs (methadone, buprenorphine/naloxone, slow-release oral morphine) between November 2018 and November 2021, controlling for pre-existing trends. In sub-analysis we considered RMG opioids together with MOUD. RESULTS We included 760 participants with presumed OUD. In the post-COVID-19 period, MOUD and slow-release oral morphine prevalence rates showed an estimated immediate increase in level (+7.6%, 95% CI: 0.6%, 14.6% and 1.8%, 95% CI: 0.3%, 3.3%, respectively), followed by a decline in the monthly trend (-0.8% per month, 95% CI: -1.4%, -0.2% and -0.2% per month, 95% CI: -0.4, -0.1, respectively). There were no significant changes in the prevalence trends of enrollment in methadone, buprenorphine/naloxone, or when RMG opioids were considered together with MOUD. CONCLUSIONS Despite immediate improvements in MOUD enrollment in the post-COVID-19 period, this beneficial trend reversed over time. RMG opioids appeared to have provided additional benefits to sustain retention in OUD care.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Eugenia Socias
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada.
| | - Jin Cheol Choi
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Nadia Fairbairn
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Cheyenne Johnson
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, T201-2211 Wesbrook Mall. Vancouver, BC V6T 2B, Canada
| | - Dean Wilson
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Kora Debeck
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Simon Fraser University Faculty of Health Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Rupinder Brar
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, 5950 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Regional Addiction Program, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Simon Fraser University Faculty of Health Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
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Giang K, Charlesworth R, Thulien M, Mulholland A, Barker B, Brar R, Pauly B, Fast D. Risk mitigation guidance and safer supply prescribing among young people who use drugs in the context of COVID-19 and overdose emergencies. Int J Drug Policy 2023; 115:104023. [PMID: 37059025 PMCID: PMC10067449 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Across North America, overlapping overdose and COVID-19 emergencies have had a substantial impact on young people who use drugs (YPWUD). New risk mitigation guidance (RMG) prescribing practices were introduced in British Columbia, Canada, in 2020 to allow people to decrease risk of overdose and withdrawal and better self-isolate. We examined how the prescribing of hydromorphone tablets specifically impacted YPWUD's substance use and care trajectories. Between April 2020 and July 2021, we conducted virtual interviews with 30 YPWUD who had accessed an RMG prescription of hydromorphone in the previous six months and 10 addiction medicine physicians working in Vancouver. A thematic analysis was conducted. YPWUD participants highlighted a disjuncture between risk mitigation prescriptions and the safe supply of unadulterated substances such as fentanyl, underscoring that having access to the latter is critical to reducing their reliance on street-based drug markets and overdose-related risks. They described re-appropriating these prescriptions to meet their needs, stockpiling hydromorphone so that it could be used as an “emergency backup” when they were unable to procure unregulated, illicit opioids. In the context of entrenched poverty, hydromorphone was also used to generate income for the purchase of drugs and various necessities. For some YPWUD, hydromorphone prescriptions could be used alongside opioid agonist therapy (OAT) to reduce withdrawal and cravings and improve adherence to OAT. However, some physicians were wary of prescribing hydromorphone due to the lack of evidence for this new approach. Our findings underscore the importance of providing YPWUD with a safe supply of the substances they are actively using alongside a continuum of substance use treatment and care, and the need for both medical and community-based safe and safer supply models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Giang
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, 317-2914 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Reith Charlesworth
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Madison Thulien
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Alanna Mulholland
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, 520 West 6(th) Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1A1, Canada
| | - Brittany Barker
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Canadian Institute of Substance Use Research, 2300 McKenzie Avenue, Victoria, BC V8N 5M8, Canada
| | - Rupinder Brar
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, 317-2914 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, 520 West 6(th) Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1A1, Canada
| | - Bernie Pauly
- Canadian Institute of Substance Use Research, 2300 McKenzie Avenue, Victoria, BC V8N 5M8, Canada; School of Nursing, University of Victoria, PO Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Danya Fast
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine (Division of Social Medicine), 317-2914 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
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Kmeid M, Brar R, Sullivan L, Arslan ME, Shrestha N, Lee EC, Chen A, Jennings TA, Lee H. Diagnostic yield and repeat biopsies in rectal and nonrectal colorectal adenocarcinoma: Are we hedging on rectal biopsies? Acad Pathol 2023; 10:100063. [PMID: 36970329 PMCID: PMC10031322 DOI: 10.1016/j.acpath.2022.100063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with rectal cancer undergo more repeat biopsies compared to those with nonrectal colon cancer prior to management. We investigated the factors driving the higher frequency of repeat biopsies in patients with rectal cancer. We compared clinicopathologic features of diagnostic and nondiagnostic (in regard to invasion) rectal (n = 64) and colonic (n = 57) biopsies from colorectal cancer patients and characterized corresponding resections. Despite similar diagnostic yield, repeat biopsy was more common in rectal carcinoma, especially in patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy (p < 0.05). The presence of desmoplasia (odds ratio 12.9, p < 0.05) was a strong predictor of making a diagnosis of invasion in both rectal and nonrectal colon cancer biopsies. Diagnostic biopsies had more desmoplasia, intramucosal carcinoma component and marked inflammation, and less low-grade dysplasia component (p < 0.05). Diagnostic yield of biopsy was higher for tumors with high-grade tumor budding, mucosal involvement by high-grade dysplasia/intramucosal carcinoma without low-grade dysplasia and diffuse surface desmoplasia irrespective of tumor location. Sample size, amount of benign tissue, appearance, and T stage did not affect diagnostic yield. Repeat biopsy of rectal cancer is primarily driven by management implications. Diagnostic yield in colorectal cancer biopsies is multifactorial and is not due to differing pathologists' diagnostic approach per tumor site. For rectal tumors, a multidisciplinary strategic approach is warranted to avoid repeat biopsy when unnecessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Kmeid
- Department of Pathology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Rupinder Brar
- Department of Pathology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Luz Sullivan
- Department of Pathology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Edward C. Lee
- Department of Surgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Anne Chen
- Department of Pathology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA
| | | | - Hwajeong Lee
- Department of Pathology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA
- Corresponding author. Department of Pathology, Albany Medical Center, 47 New Scotland Ave., MC81, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
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Kmeid M, Park YN, Chung T, Lukose G, Sullivan L, Brar R, Lee H. PSMA Immunohistochemistry in Hepatic Neoplasms: A Promising Diagnostic Marker With Potential Theranostic Applications. Am J Surg Pathol 2022; 46:1688-1699. [PMID: 36190927 DOI: 10.1097/pas.0000000000001971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Accurate classification of well-differentiated hepatocellular neoplasms can be challenging especially in core biopsies. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) has been shown to highlight tumor-associated neovasculature in many nonprostatic solid tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Archived 164 hepatectomies and explants with 68 HCCs, 31 hepatocellular adenoma (HA), 24 dysplastic nodules (DN), and 42 metastases were retrieved, and pathologic parameters were evaluated. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive, and negative predictive values for correct diagnosis of HCC were calculated for PSMA and CD34 immunostains in tissue sections and HCC tissue microarrays. PSMA positivity was defined as capillarized sinusoidal/tumor-associated vessel staining involving ≥5% of the tumor area. In all, 55/68 (80.9%) HCC and 37/42 (88.1%) of liver metastasis were PSMA positive. PSMA was negative in HA, DN, and background liver (100% specificity). CD34 had a 98.5% sensitivity but a 65.5% specificity in identifying HCC. PSMA sensitivity remained high in the HCC tissue microarray (89.7%). PSMA was more accurate than CD34 (95.5% vs. 69.7%) in distinguishing grade 1 HCC from HA and high-grade DN while retaining high sensitivity (80%). The degree of PSMA positivity in HCC was greater in older, male, and human immunodeficiency virus patients ( P <0.05). No associations were found between PSMA staining and other tumor parameters ( P >0.05). PSMA is a marker of neoangiogenesis with increased expression in both primary and metastatic hepatic malignancies. Neovascular PSMA expression is more specific and accurate than CD34 for differentiating HCC from benign and precursor hepatic lesions. Diagnostic and therapeutic utility of PSMA radioligands in malignant liver neoplasms warrant further clinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Kmeid
- Department of Pathology, Albany Medical Center, Albany
| | | | - Taek Chung
- Biomedical Systems Informatics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Georgi Lukose
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Luz Sullivan
- Department of Pathology, Albany Medical Center, Albany
| | - Rupinder Brar
- Department of Pathology, Albany Medical Center, Albany
| | - Hwajeong Lee
- Department of Pathology, Albany Medical Center, Albany
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Chase J, Nicholson M, Dogherty E, Garrod E, Hill J, Brar R, Weaver V, Connors WJ. Self-injecting non-prescribed substances into vascular access devices: a case study of one health system's ongoing journey from clinical concern to practice and policy response. Harm Reduct J 2022; 19:130. [PMID: 36424629 PMCID: PMC9694828 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-022-00707-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Overdose-associated deaths and morbidity related to substance use is a global public health emergency with devastating social and economic costs. Complications of substance use are most pronounced among people who inject drugs (PWID), particularly infections, resulting in increased risk of hospitalization. PWID often require intravenous access for medical treatments such as antibiotics; however, vascular access may be limited due to the impacts of long-term self-venipuncture. While vascular access devices including peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) allow reliable and sustained routes of administration for indicated therapies, the use of PICCs among PWID presents unique challenges. The incidence and risks associated with self-injecting non-prescribed substances into vascular access devices (SIVAD) is one such concern for which there is limited evidence and absence of formal practice guidance. CASE PRESENTATION We report the experience of a multidisciplinary team at a health organization in Vancouver, Canada, working to characterize the incidence, patient and healthcare provider perspectives, and overall impact of SIVAD. The case study of SIVAD begins with a patient's perspective, including patient rationale for SIVAD, understanding of risks and the varying responses given by healthcare providers following disclosure of SIVAD. Using the limited literature available on the subject, we summarize the intersection of SIVAD and substance use and outline known and anticipated health risks. The case study is further contextualized by experience from a Vancouver in-hospital Overdose Prevention Site (OPS), where 37% of all individual visits involve SIVAD. The case study concludes by describing the systematic process by which local clinical guidance for SIVAD harm reduction was developed with stakeholder engagement, medical ethics consultation, expert consensus guideline development and implementation with staff education and planned research evaluation. CONCLUSION SIVAD is encountered with enough frequency in an urban healthcare setting in Vancouver, Canada, to warrant an organizational approach. This case study aims to enhance appreciation of SIVAD as a common and complex clinical issue with anticipated health risks. The authors conclude that using a harm reduction lens for SIVAD policy and research can provide benefit to clinicians and patients by offering a clear and a consistent healthcare response to this common issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyn Chase
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada ,grid.416553.00000 0000 8589 2327Division of Geriatric Medicine, St. Paul’s Hospital, Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC Canada ,grid.415289.30000 0004 0633 9101Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Melissa Nicholson
- grid.415289.30000 0004 0633 9101Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Elizabeth Dogherty
- grid.415289.30000 0004 0633 9101Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Emma Garrod
- grid.415289.30000 0004 0633 9101Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC Canada ,grid.511486.f0000 0004 8021 645XBritish Columbia Centre On Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jocelyn Hill
- grid.415289.30000 0004 0633 9101Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Rupinder Brar
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada ,grid.415289.30000 0004 0633 9101Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC Canada ,grid.498786.c0000 0001 0505 0734Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC Canada ,grid.415289.30000 0004 0633 9101Inter-Department Division of Addiction Medicine, Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Victoria Weaver
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada ,grid.415289.30000 0004 0633 9101Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC Canada ,grid.511486.f0000 0004 8021 645XBritish Columbia Centre On Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada ,grid.415289.30000 0004 0633 9101Inter-Department Division of Addiction Medicine, Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC Canada ,grid.416553.00000 0000 8589 2327Division of Infectious Diseases, St. Paul’s Hospital, Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - William J. Connors
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada ,grid.415289.30000 0004 0633 9101Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC Canada ,grid.416553.00000 0000 8589 2327Division of Infectious Diseases, St. Paul’s Hospital, Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC Canada
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MacKinnon L, Kerman N, Socías ME, Brar R, Bardwell G. Primary care embedded within permanent supportive housing for people who use substances: A qualitative study examining healthcare access in Vancouver, Canada. Health Soc Care Community 2022; 30:e5062-e5073. [PMID: 35852403 PMCID: PMC9970158 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Marginally housed people who use drugs and alcohol (PWUD/A) face barriers in accessing healthcare services, which may be improved by providing healthcare in housing settings. This case study examines the experiences of healthcare access amongst PWUD/A who live in a permanent supportive housing model in Vancouver, Canada. This model has an embedded multidisciplinary clinic providing in-reach services. Thirty participants were recruited via posters placed throughout the building and semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted remotely. Interviews were conducted with participants who accessed onsite care regularly (n = 15) and those who do not (n = 15). Data were analysed to identify both a priori and emerging themes. Participants who accessed the onsite clinic reported benefiting from stigma-free care. Close proximity and convenience of drop-in appointments enabled participants to engage with healthcare services more consistently, though hours of operation and privacy concerns were barriers for others. Participants who did not use the onsite clinic highlighted the importance of continuity of care with their pre-existing primary care team, particularly if their clinic was in close geographic proximity. However, they also described utilising these services for urgent health needs or as an occasional alternative source of care. Shared perspectives across all participants emphasised the importance of low-barrier services, including medication delivery, convenience and positive therapeutic relationships. Our findings suggest that embedding access to primary care within supportive housing benefits PWUD/A who have previously encountered barriers to healthcare access. This model could be implemented to prevent utilisation of acute healthcare resources and improve health outcomes amongst PWUD/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura MacKinnon
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nick Kerman
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - M. Eugenia Socías
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Rupinder Brar
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Geoff Bardwell
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Glegg S, McCrae K, Kolla G, Touesnard N, Turnbull J, Brothers TD, Brar R, Sutherland C, Le Foll B, Sereda A, Goyer MÈ, Rai N, Bernstein S, Fairbairn N. "COVID just kind of opened a can of whoop-ass": The rapid growth of safer supply prescribing during the pandemic documented through an environmental scan of addiction and harm reduction services in Canada. Int J Drug Policy 2022; 106:103742. [PMID: 35679695 PMCID: PMC9170132 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In the context of the ongoing overdose crisis, a stark increase in toxic drug deaths from the unregulated street supply accompanied the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Injectable opioid agonist treatment (iOAT - hydromorphone or medical-grade heroin), tablet-based iOAT (TiOAT), and safer supply prescribing are emerging interventions used to address this crisis in Canada. Given rapid clinical guidance and policy change to enable their local adoption, our objectives were to describe the state of these interventions before the pandemic, and to document and explain changes in implementation during the early pandemic response (March-May 2020). METHODS Surveys and interviews with healthcare providers comprised this mixed methods national environmental scan of iOAT, TiOAT, and safer supply across Canada at two time points. Quantitative data were summarized using descriptive statistics; interview data were coded and analyzed thematically. RESULTS 103 sites in 6 Canadian provinces included 19 iOAT, 3 TiOAT and 21 safer supply sites on March 1, 2020; 60 new safer supply sites by May 1 represented a 285% increase. Most common substances were opioids, available at all sites; most common settings were addiction treatment programs and primary care clinics, and onsite pharmacies models. 79% of safer supply services were unfunded. Diversity in service delivery models demonstrated broad adaptability. Qualitative data reinforced the COVID-19 pandemic as the driving force behind scale-up. DISCUSSION Data confirmed the capacity for rapid scale-up of flexible, community-based safer supply prescribing during dual public health emergencies. Geographical, client demographic, and funding gaps highlight the need to target barriers to implementation, service delivery and sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Glegg
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada.
| | - Karen McCrae
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Gillian Kolla
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, Health and Wellness Building Room 273, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Natasha Touesnard
- Canadian Association of People Who Use Drugs, 102-68 Highfield Park Drive, Dartmouth, NS B3A 1X4, Canada
| | - Jeffrey Turnbull
- Ottawa Inner City Health, 5 Myrand Ave, Ottawa, ON K1N 5N7, Canada
| | - Thomas D Brothers
- Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Suite 442 Bethune Building, 1276 South Park Street, Halifax, NS B3H 2Y9, Canada
| | - Rupinder Brar
- Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, 801-601 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4C2, Canada; Department of Family Medicine, The University of British Columbia, 3(rd) Floor, David Strangway Building, 5950 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Christy Sutherland
- Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada; PHS Community Services Society, 350 Columbia Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 4J1 Canada
| | - Bernard Le Foll
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, Departments of Psychiatry, Family and Community Medicine, and Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, 250 Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Room 2374, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Andrea Sereda
- Schulich School of Medicine, Western University, Clinical Skills Building, London, ON V6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Goyer
- Department of Family Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Edouard Montpetit Boulevard, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Nanky Rai
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Medical Sciences Building, Room 3157, Toronto, ON V5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Scott Bernstein
- Canadian Drug Policy Coalition, Simon Fraser University, 2400 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3, Canada
| | - Nadia Fairbairn
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
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9
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Arslan ME, Brar R, Goetz L, Karamchandani D, Mikula MW, Hodge K, Li H, Ahn S, Lee H. Inflammation and tissue remodeling contribute to fibrogenesis in stricturing Crohn’s disease: image processing and analysis study. J Pathol Transl Med 2022; 56:239-248. [PMID: 36128860 PMCID: PMC9510042 DOI: 10.4132/jptm.2022.05.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Inflammation and structural remodeling may contribute to fibrogenesis in Crohn’s disease (CD). We quantified the immunoexpression of calretinin, CD34, and calprotectin as a surrogate for mucosal innervation, telocytes (interstitial cells playing a role in networking), and inflammation, respectively, and correlated them with bowel alterations in stricturing CD. Methods Primary resection specimens for ileal CD (n = 44, 31 stricturing CD, 13 inflammatory CD) were identified. Left-sided ulcerative colitis and trauma cases were used as controls. Proximal and distal margin and middle (diseased) sections were stained for calretinin, CD34, and calprotectin. Microscopic images were captured from the mucosa (calretinin), submucosa (calprotectin), and myenteric plexus (CD34), and the immunostaining was quantified using image processing and analysis. Bowel thickness at the corresponding sections were measured and correlated with the amount of immunoexpression. Results A total of 2,037 images were analyzed. In stricturing CD, submucosal alteration/thickening at the stricture site correlated with calprotectin staining and inversely correlated with calretinin staining at the proximal margin. Muscularis propria alteration/thickening at the stricture site correlated with mucosal calretinin staining at the proximal margin. Submucosal alteration/thickening at the proximal margin correlated with calretinin and CD34 staining at the proximal margin and inversely correlated with CD34 staining at the stricture site. Calretinin immunostaining at the distal margin was significantly higher in stricturing CD than the controls. Conclusions Inflammation and tissue remodeling appear to contribute to fibrogenesis in stricturing CD. Increased mucosal calretinin immunostaining distal to the diseased segment could be helpful in diagnosing CD in the right clinical context.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rupinder Brar
- Department of Pathology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Lianna Goetz
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Pathology, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Dipti Karamchandani
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Pathology, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
- Division of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Hua Li
- Department of Pathology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA
| | | | - Hwajeong Lee
- Department of Pathology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA
- Corresponding Author: Hwajeong Lee, MD, Department of Pathology, Albany Medical Center, 47 New Scotland Ave., MC81, Albany, NY 12208, USA Tel: +1-518-262-6254, Fax: +1-518-262-3663, E-mail:
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10
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Kmeid M, Aldyab M, Brar R, Lee H. Histologic Findings and Tissue B-Cell Depletion in Endoscopic Mucosal Biopsy Specimens of the Gastrointestinal Tract After Treatment With Rituximab. Am J Clin Pathol 2022; 157:353-364. [PMID: 34520518 DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqab133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Rituximab (RTX) is associated with variable adverse gastrointestinal (GI) events. However, the histologic correlate in affected patients is not well defined. METHODS Patients (n = 93) who had received RTX and undergone endoscopic biopsies were identified. CD20 and PAX5 immunostains were performed on biopsy specimens showing inflammatory pathology (group A, 36 patients) and 35 of 57 noninflammatory biopsies (group B) that were taken within 1 year from the last RTX infusion. Histologic findings were correlated with tissue B-cell depletion (CD20/PAX5-/-). RESULTS B cells were depleted in 12 (33%) of 36 group A biopsy specimens. After excluding biopsies taken more than 1 year from the last RTX infusion, the frequencies of tissue B-cell depletion were similar between group A (12/26; 46.2%) and group B (17/35; 48.6%) (P > .05). Also, the frequencies of inflammatory pathology were not statistically different whether B cells were depleted or not (P > .05). In group A with tissue B-cell depletion (n = 12), causality was indicated in two (17%) cases showing lymphocytic colitis pattern of injury (LCPI). CONCLUSIONS In RTX-treated patients, tissue B-cell depletion does not appear to be the main cause of inflammatory pathology in the GI tract. A minor subset, however, develops histologic evidence of potential RTX-induced effect, notably in the form of LCPI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Kmeid
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Mahmoud Aldyab
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Rupinder Brar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Hwajeong Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA
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11
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Shearer D, Young S, Fairbairn N, Brar R. Challenges with buprenorphine inductions in the context of the fentanyl overdose crisis: A case series. Drug Alcohol Rev 2022; 41:444-448. [PMID: 34647379 PMCID: PMC8926080 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS North America is currently experiencing an epidemic of opioid overdose deaths, driven by the proliferation of fentanyl in the street drug market. Although buprenorphine/naloxone (BUP/NX) is an evidence-based, first-line opioid agonist for the management of opioid use disorder, a key challenge in its prescribing lies in the fact that it can precipitate opioid withdrawal during its initial induction process. At this time, there is minimal literature on the BUP/NX induction process in individuals who use illicit fentanyl regularly. DESIGN, METHODS AND RESULTS A case series from a Vancouver, Canada addiction medicine clinic of three fentanyl-exposed patients who experienced unexpected, precipitated withdrawal when initiating BUP/NX. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION These cases describe incidents of precipitated opioid withdrawal occurring after unusually long periods of fentanyl abstention. Although fentanyl is experienced as a short-acting opioid, the drug persists much longer in the body's peripheral tissues. Here, we highlight the new challenges fentanyl may pose to current BUP/NX induction strategies, and explore the possibility of a long-acting pharmacokinetic effect of fentanyl in the setting of repeated illicit use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Shearer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Samantha Young
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada,,Interdepartmental Division of Addiction Medicine, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, Canada,,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada,,General Internal Medicine, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health, Toronto, Canada
| | - Nadia Fairbairn
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada,,Interdepartmental Division of Addiction Medicine, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, Canada,,British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Rupinder Brar
- Interdepartmental Division of Addiction Medicine, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, Canada,,Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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12
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Moallef S, DeBeck K, Fairbairn N, Cui Z, Brar R, Wilson D, Johnson C, Milloy MJ, Hayashi K. Inability to contact opioid agonist therapy prescribers during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Canadian setting: a cross-sectional analysis among people on opioid agonist therapy. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2022; 17:73. [PMID: 36522789 PMCID: PMC9751503 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-022-00354-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic and consequent public health response may have undermined key responses to the protracted drug poisoning crisis, including reduced access to opioid agonist therapy (OAT) among people with opioid use disorder. Our study objectives were to estimate the prevalence of and identify factors associated with inability to contact OAT prescribers when in need among people on OAT in a Canadian setting during the dual public health crises. METHODS Survey data were collected from three prospective cohort studies of community-recruited people who use drugs between July and November 2020, in Vancouver, Canada. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify potential factors associated with inability to contact OAT prescribers among patients who accessed OAT in the past 6 months. RESULTS Among 448 respondents who reported accessing OAT in the past 6 months, including 231 (54.9%) men, 85 (19.0%) reported having been unable to contact OAT prescribers when needed, whereas 268 (59.8%) reported being able to talk to their prescriber when needed, and 95 (21.2%) reported that they did not want to talk to their medication prescriber in the previous 6 months. Among those who reported inability to contact prescribers, 45 (53.6%) reported that their overall ability to contact prescribers decreased since the start of the pandemic. In multivariable analyses, factors independently associated with inability to talk to OAT prescribers included: chronic pain (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 1.82; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.02, 3.27), moderate to severe symptoms of depression or anxiety (AOR = 4.74; 95% CI 2.30, 9.76), inability to access health/social services (AOR = 2.66; 95% CI 1.41, 5.02), and inability to self-isolate or socially distance most or all of the time (AOR = 2.13; 95% CI 1.10, 4.14). CONCLUSIONS Overall, approximately one fifth of the sample reported inability to contact their OAT prescribers when needed, and those people were more likely to have co-occurring vulnerabilities (i.e., co-morbidities, inability to access health/social services) and higher vulnerability to COVID-19. Interventions are needed to ensure optimal access to OAT and mitigate the deepening health inequities resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the escalating drug poisoning crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soroush Moallef
- grid.416553.00000 0000 8589 2327British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul’s Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada
| | - Kora DeBeck
- grid.416553.00000 0000 8589 2327British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul’s Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada ,grid.61971.380000 0004 1936 7494School of Public Policy, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC Canada
| | - Nadia Fairbairn
- grid.416553.00000 0000 8589 2327British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul’s Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Zishan Cui
- grid.416553.00000 0000 8589 2327British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul’s Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Rupinder Brar
- grid.416553.00000 0000 8589 2327British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul’s Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada ,grid.417243.70000 0004 0384 4428Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Dean Wilson
- grid.416553.00000 0000 8589 2327British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul’s Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada
| | - Cheyenne Johnson
- grid.416553.00000 0000 8589 2327British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul’s Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - M.-J. Milloy
- grid.416553.00000 0000 8589 2327British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul’s Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- grid.416553.00000 0000 8589 2327British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul’s Hospital, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada ,grid.61971.380000 0004 1936 7494Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC Canada
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13
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Brar R, Milloy MJ, DeBeck K, Nosova E, Nolan S, Barrios R, Wood E, Hayashi K. Inability to access primary care clinics among people who inject drugs in a Canadian health care setting. Can Fam Physician 2021; 67:e348-e354. [PMID: 34906953 DOI: 10.46747/cfp.6712e348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the prevalence and correlation of self-reported inability to access community primary care clinics among people who inject drugs (PWID). DESIGN Self-report questionnaire data. SETTING Vancouver, BC. PARTICIPANTS Data were derived from 3 prospective cohort studies of PWID between 2013 and 2016. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Multivariable generalized estimating equations were used to determine prevalence of and reasons for self-reported inability to access primary care, as well as factors associated with inability to access care. RESULTS Of 1396 eligible participants, including 525 (37.6%) women, 209 (15.0%) persons were unable to access a primary care clinic at some point during the study period. In the multivariable analysis, factors independently associated with inability to access clinics included ever being diagnosed with a mental health disorder (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.63, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.35), dealing drugs (AOR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.22), using emergency services (AOR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.02), being female (AOR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.08), and testing positive for HIV (AOR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.72) (for all factors, P < .05). CONCLUSION Specific exposures were linked to challenges in accessing primary care among the sample of PWID, even in a publicly funded health care setting. Notably, models designed for care of people with HIV appear to increase access to primary care among PWID. Further research is needed to determine how to effectively treat accompanying mental illness, how to provide women-centred services, and how to connect people with primary care who would likely otherwise go to the emergency department.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupinder Brar
- Family physician, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Practice at the University of British Columbia, and a researcher at the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) in Vancouver
| | - M-J Milloy
- Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of British Columbia and a research scientist at the BCCSU
| | - Kora DeBeck
- Assistant Professor in the School of Public Policy at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC, and a research scientist at the BCCSU
| | | | - Seonaid Nolan
- Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of British Columbia and a clinician scientist at the BCCSU
| | - Rolando Barrios
- Senior Medical Director of the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS in Vancouver
| | - Evan Wood
- Professor of Medicine at the University of British Columbia and is an addiction medicine physician and clinician scientist at the BCCSU
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University and a research scientist at the BCCSU.
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14
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Machado MO, Lu JD, Brar R, Kirby JS, Garg A, Lowes ML, Piguet V, Alavi A. Hidradenitis suppurativa odour and drainage scale: a novel method for evaluating odour and drainage in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. Br J Dermatol 2021; 184:772-774. [PMID: 33205398 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.19686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M O Machado
- Division of Dermatology, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - J D Lu
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - R Brar
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - J S Kirby
- Department of Dermatology, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - A Garg
- Department of Dermatology, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell, New Hyde Park, NY, USA
| | - M L Lowes
- Laboratory for Investigative Dermatology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - V Piguet
- Division of Dermatology, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - A Alavi
- Division of Dermatology, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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15
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Raski M, Sutherland C, Brar R. From methadone to Methadose: Lessons learned from methadone formulation change in British Columbia. Can Fam Physician 2020; 66:797-798. [PMID: 33208417 PMCID: PMC8302423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Matias Raski
- Medical student at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver
| | - Christy Sutherland
- Clinical Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia and Education Physician Lead with the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use
| | - Rupinder Brar
- Clinical Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia.
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16
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Raski M, Sutherland C, Brar R. [Not Available]. Can Fam Physician 2020; 66:e273-e275. [PMID: 33208436 PMCID: PMC8302420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Matias Raski
- Étudiant en médecine à l'Université de la Colombie-Britannique à Vancouver
| | - Christy Sutherland
- Professeure adjointe de clinique à la Faculté de médecine de l'Université de la Colombie-Britannique et responsable de l'éducation des médecins au Centre on Substance Use de la Colombie-Britannique
| | - Rupinder Brar
- Professeure adjointe de clinique à la Faculté de médecine de l'Université de la Colombie-Britannique.
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17
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Bach P, Robinson S, Sutherland C, Brar R. Innovative strategies to support physical distancing among individuals with active addiction. Lancet Psychiatry 2020; 7:731-733. [PMID: 32473096 PMCID: PMC7255226 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(20)30231-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Paxton Bach
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada; British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Samantha Robinson
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada; School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Christy Sutherland
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Rupinder Brar
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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18
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Brar R, Grant C, DeBeck K, Milloy MJ, Fairbairn N, Wood E, Kerr T, Hayashi K. Changes in drug use behaviors coinciding with the emergence of illicit fentanyl among people who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 2020; 46:625-631. [PMID: 32689810 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2020.1771721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Background: With the emergence of illicitly-manufactured fentanyl, drug overdose deaths have risen in unprecedented numbers. In this context, there is an urgent need to characterize potential changes in drug use behaviors among people who use drugs (PWUD). Objective: To examine changes in drug use behaviors following the emergence of illicit fentanyl among people who use drugs (PWUD). Methods: Data for this cross-sectional analysis was derived from three prospective cohorts of PWUD between December 2016 and May 2017 in Vancouver, Canada. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with self-reported behavior changes (binary variable "yes" or "no") following the emergence of illicit fentanyl. Results: Among 999 participants [363 (36.3%) females], 388 (38.8%) reported some behavior change. The remaining 611 (61.2%) reported no change in behavior; 240 (39.3%) of these individuals had recently been exposed to fentanyl. In multivariable analyses, factors independently associated with behavior change included recent non-fatal overdose (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 2.28), active injection drug use (AOR = 1.96), being on opioid agonist therapy (AOR = 1.80), and urine drug screen positive for fentanyl (AOR = 1.45), (all p < .05). Conclusion: The majority of PWUD in our sample did not change their drug use behavior despite a high prevalence of fentanyl exposure, indicating a need for targeted behavior change messaging and overdose prevention efforts such as naloxone and addiction treatment for this sub-population of PWUD. Further, the high fentanyl exposure observed in our sample suggests a need to address upstream structural factors shaping the overdose risk in addition to individual behavioral change.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Brar
- British Columbia Centre for Substance Use , Vancouver, BC, CANADA.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, BC, CANADA
| | - C Grant
- British Columbia Centre for Substance Use , Vancouver, BC, CANADA
| | - K DeBeck
- British Columbia Centre for Substance Use , Vancouver, BC, CANADA.,School of Public Policy, Simon Fraser University , Vancouver, BC, CANADA
| | - M-J Milloy
- British Columbia Centre for Substance Use , Vancouver, BC, CANADA.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, BC, CANADA
| | - N Fairbairn
- British Columbia Centre for Substance Use , Vancouver, BC, CANADA.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, BC, CANADA
| | - E Wood
- British Columbia Centre for Substance Use , Vancouver, BC, CANADA.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, BC, CANADA
| | - T Kerr
- British Columbia Centre for Substance Use , Vancouver, BC, CANADA.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, BC, CANADA
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- British Columbia Centre for Substance Use , Vancouver, BC, CANADA.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University , Burnaby, BC, Canada
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19
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Brar R, Fairbairn N, Sutherland C, Nolan S. Use of a novel prescribing approach for the treatment of opioid use disorder: Buprenorphine/naloxone micro-dosing - a case series. Drug Alcohol Rev 2020; 39:588-594. [PMID: 32657496 PMCID: PMC7919736 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Buprenorphine/naloxone is an evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder, but an identified limitation is the period of required opioid abstinence prior to induction on the medication. 'Micro-dosing', or using incrementally increasing doses of buprenorphine/naloxone over time, may be a way to overcome this challenge as it can be done in parallel with the ongoing use of other opioids (either illicit or prescribed). DESIGN AND METHODS A retrospective case series (January to December 2018) was completed of seven participants who underwent buprenorphine/naloxone induction using micro-dosing at two outpatient addiction clinics in Vancouver, Canada. RESULTS Seven participants completed a 7-day buprenorphine/naloxone micro-dosing protocol. Prior to and during the induction, one participant was prescribed methadone, three were prescribed slow release oral morphine and three used only illicit fentanyl. Participants were prescribed sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone: 0.5 mg once daily (day 1), 0.5 mg twice daily (BID; day 2), 1 mg BID (day 3), 2 mg BID (day 4), 3 mg BID (day 5), 4 mg BID (day 6) and 12 mg once daily (day 7). On day 7, all prescribed or illicit full opioid agonists were discontinued. Buprenorphine/naloxone was subsequently titrated to a daily dose of between 12 and 32 mg. All patients reported success with buprenorphine/naloxone induction with no precipitated withdrawal. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Buprenorphine/naloxone micro-dosing may offer a promising alternative approach for successful induction for individuals with opioid use disorder who desire treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone, and further research to determine effectiveness is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupinder Brar
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Nadia Fairbairn
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Christy Sutherland
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Seonaid Nolan
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
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20
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Randhawa PA, Brar R, Nolan S. Buprenorphine-naloxone "microdosing": an alternative induction approach for the treatment of opioid use disorder in the wake of North America's increasingly potent illicit drug market. CMAJ 2020; 192:E73. [PMID: 31959660 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.74018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Privia A Randhawa
- Medical student, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Rupinder Brar
- Family and addictions physician, British Columbia Centre on Substance Use; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Seonaid Nolan
- Assistant professor, British Columbia Centre on Substance Use; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
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Socias ME, Wood E, Dong H, Brar R, Bach P, Murphy SM, Fairbairn N. Slow release oral morphine versus methadone for opioid use disorder in the fentanyl era (pRESTO): Protocol for a non-inferiority randomized clinical trial. Contemp Clin Trials 2020; 91:105993. [PMID: 32194251 PMCID: PMC7919741 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2020.105993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND North America is facing an unprecedented public health crisis of opioid-related morbidity and mortality, increasingly as a result of the introduction of illicitly manufactured fentanyl into the street drug market. Although the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) is a key element in the response to the opioid overdose epidemic, currently available pharmacotherapies (e.g., methadone, buprenorphine) may not be acceptable to or effective in all patients. Available evidence suggests that slow-release oral morphine (SROM) has similar efficacy rates as methadone with respect to promoting abstinence, and with improvements in a number of patient-reported outcomes among persons using heroin. However, little is known about the relative effectiveness and acceptability of SROM compared to methadone in the context of fentanyl use. This study aims to address this research gap. METHODS pRESTO is a 24-week, open-label, two arm, non-inferiority, randomized controlled trial comparing SROM versus methadone for the treatment of OUD. Participants will be 298 clinically stable, non-pregnant adults with OUD, recruited from outpatient clinics in Vancouver, Canada, where the majority of the illicit opioids are contaminated with fentanyl. The primary outcome is suppression of illicit opioid use, measured by bi-weekly urine drug screens. Secondary outcomes include: treatment retention, medication safety, overdose events, treatment satisfaction, psychological functioning, changes in drug-related problems, changes in quality of life, opioid cravings, other substance use, and cost-effectiveness. DISCUSSION pRESTO will be among the first studies to evaluate treatment options for individuals primarily using synthetic street opioids, providing important evidence to guide treatment strategies for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Eugenia Socias
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Evan Wood
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Huiru Dong
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Rupinder Brar
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Paxton Bach
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sean M Murphy
- Department of Healthcare Policy & Research, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nadia Fairbairn
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Caulfield MDG, Brar R, Sutherland C, Nolan S. Transitioning a patient from injectable opioid agonist therapy to sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone for the treatment of opioid use disorder using a microdosing approach. BMJ Case Rep 2020; 13:13/3/e233715. [PMID: 32213504 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2019-233715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In the wake of North America's opioid crisis, access to evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) is of critical importance. While buprenorphine/naloxone and methadone are currently indicated as first-line medications for the treatment of OUD, there are a proportion of individuals who do not benefit from these therapies. Recent Canadian guidelines suggest the use of alternate therapies, including slow-release oral morphine or injectable opioid agonist therapy (iOAT) for individuals unsuccessful with either methadone or buprenorphine/naloxone. While the guidelines highlight the need to intensify OUD treatment as disease severity increases, equally important is the consideration for deintensification of treatment (eg, from iOAT to an oral opioid agonist treatment (OAT) option) following successful stabilisation. Literature addressing how best to accomplish this, however, is currently lacking. Accordingly, the case presented here describes a patient that successfully transitions from iOAT to oral buprenorphine/naloxone using a novel induction approach termed microdosing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rupinder Brar
- Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christy Sutherland
- Department of Family Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Seonaid Nolan
- Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada .,BC Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Socías ME, Dong H, Wood E, Brar R, Richardson L, Hayashi K, Kerr T, Milloy MJ. Trajectories of retention in opioid agonist therapy in a Canadian setting. Int J Drug Policy 2020; 77:102696. [PMID: 32050143 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-term engagement in opioid agonist therapy (OAT) has been consistently associated with reduced risk for morbidity and mortality in people with opioid use disorder (OUD). However, the dynamic nature of engagement/disengagement in OUD care for over time is poorly captured by traditional metrics. We characterized long-term longitudinal trajectories of engagement in OAT in Vancouver, Canada, between 2005 and 2018. METHODS Data were derived from two community-recruited prospective cohorts of people who use drugs. Retention in OAT was defined as self-reported enrolment in OAT for two consecutive follow-up periods (an approximately six-month retention interval). We used latent class growth analysis to identify OAT engagement trajectories during the first five years after OAT initiation and multivariable logistic regression to evaluate predictors of trajectory group membership. RESULTS We identified four OAT retention trajectories among 438 OAT initiators: "consistently high" (36%), "consistently low" (23%), "increasing" (23%), and "decreasing" (15%). Employment was a significant cross-cutting predictor of membership of all sub-optimal OAT engagement patterns compared to consistently high trajectories. We also found that initiating OAT after 2014 (when regulatory changes to the provincial OAT program were introduced) was associated with the "consistently low" engagement group relative to others. CONCLUSIONS We identified four distinct OAT engagement trajectories in Vancouver, Canada, with employment being a common predictor of sub-optimal care trajectories, suggesting the need to explore alternative OAT models to address employment-related barriers. Care trajectory analysis could help inform tailored interventions to specific populations of people with OUD at specific time points to improve engagement in OAT, and decrease opioid-related morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Eugenia Socías
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Huiru Dong
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Evan Wood
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Rupinder Brar
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Lindsey Richardson
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Sociology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Thomas Kerr
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - M-J Milloy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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McAdam M, Brar R, Young S. Initiation of injectable opioid agonist treatment in hospital: A case report. Drug Alcohol Rev 2019; 39:138-141. [PMID: 31814186 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Uncontrolled opioid withdrawal and pain often drive inpatients with opioid use disorder to leave hospital against medical advice, resulting in suboptimal medical and addiction treatment. When oral opioid agonist treatments such as methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone fail for management of craving and withdrawal, injectable opioid agonist treatment may serve to retain patients in care and link them to addiction services. We describe the case of a 47-year-old man with a severe, active opioid use disorder and daily use of illicitly manufactured fentanyl, who was re-admitted to hospital for post-operative management after leaving against medical advice due to uncontrolled opioid withdrawal. Intravenous hydromorphone was used to retain him in care, allowing for completion of his antibiotics and enrolment in ongoing community injectable opioid agonist treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew McAdam
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Rupinder Brar
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Family Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Samantha Young
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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25
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Bardwell G, Wood E, Brar R. Fentanyl assisted treatment: a possible role in the opioid overdose epidemic? Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 2019; 14:50. [PMID: 31711521 PMCID: PMC6849248 DOI: 10.1186/s13011-019-0241-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Background The current opioid overdose epidemic affecting communities across North America is increasingly driven by illicitly manufactured fentanyl and its related analogues. A variety of public health interventions have been implemented and scaled up, including opioid agonist treatments (OAT). While these treatments are successful for many individuals, they have a variety of limitations. It is critical to trial alternative treatments if conventional opioid agonist treatment options are not successful for a proportion of patients who use illicit fentanyl. Main body Prescription fentanyl has been widely used for pain management. The use of transdermal fentanyl, specifically, which provides long acting and stable drug levels post-titration over several days, should be explored as an opioid agonist treatment option. The use of transdermal fentanyl for patients who use illicit fentanyl is currently being piloted in Vancouver, Canada. To address potential diversion, the patch is signed, dated, and a film dressing is applied to mitigate tampering. Evaluation outcomes are still pending, but there have been no adverse outcomes thus far and clinical improvements have been noted for many patients. This exploratory therapeutic approach should be considered across multiple settings and rigorously evaluated. Conclusions There are known limitations to existing OAT options and there is a need to urgently evaluate alternative strategies for patients who are using illicit fentanyl not successfully treated with conventional OAT. Many patients may be attracted to, and retained in, fentanyl assisted treatment. This may be another strategy for certain patients to prevent harms caused by illicit fentanyl use, including overdose and death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoff Bardwell
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada. .,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada.
| | - Evan Wood
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Rupinder Brar
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada.,Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, 5950 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
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26
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Brar R, Sutherland C, Nolan S. Supervised injectable opioid agonist therapy in a supported housing setting for the treatment of severe opioid use disorder. BMJ Case Rep 2019; 12:12/7/e229456. [PMID: 31371332 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2019-229456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, North America is facing a national opioid overdose crisis. Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic, relapsing condition requiring varying intensities of treatment. Injectable opioid agonist therapy (iOAT) is an effective, high-intensity treatment option for people who are unsuccessful on conventional oral opioid agonist treatments (eg, methadone, buprenorphine). This case highlights the effectiveness of the provision of iOAT in a low-barrier setting. More specifically, we discuss a patient with severe OUD and untreated HIV infection, who was disengaged from medical care and, consequently, was prescribed iOAT in a supportive housing setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupinder Brar
- Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christy Sutherland
- Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Seonaid Nolan
- Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Kanapeckaite L, Kumar S, Daneshi M, Vig S, Brar R. Ultrasound guidance for arterial access. Int J Surg 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2018.05.655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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28
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Klimas J, Nosova E, Socías E, Nolan S, Brar R, Hayashi K, Milloy MJ, Kerr T, Wood E. Factors associated with discontinuation of methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) among persons who use alcohol in Vancouver, Canada. Drug Alcohol Depend 2018; 186:182-186. [PMID: 29604525 PMCID: PMC6154800 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We sought to examine the factors associated with discontinuation of MMT among persons on methadone who use alcohol. METHODS We evaluated the impact of drug-related and other factors on discontinuation of MMT among persons enrolled in MMT and who reported any use of alcohol versus those who were enrolled in two community-recruited prospective cohorts of people who use illicit drugs (PWUD). Extended Cox models with time-dependent variables identified factors independently associated with time to first MMT discontinuation. RESULTS Between December 2005 and 2015, 823 individuals on MMT who also reported using alcohol at least once were included in these analyses. During the study period, 391 (47.5%) discontinued methadone. Daily heroin injection (Adjusted Hazard Ratio [AHR] = 2.67, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 2.10-3.40) and homelessness (AHR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.10-1.83) were positively associated with MMT discontinuation, whereas receiving other concurrent addiction treatment in addition to MMT (AHR = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.05-0.08), as well as >60 mg methadone dose (AHR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.39-0.60), Hepatitis C virus seropositivity (AHR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.47-0.90), and HIV seropositivity (AHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.57-0.91) were negatively associated with MMT discontinuation. Any/heavy alcohol use was not independently associated with MMT discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS This study reinforces the known risks of continued heroin injection and homelessness for MMT discontinuation among individuals who also consume alcohol and highlights the protective effect of both MMT dose and receipt of concurrent addiction treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Klimas
- British Columbia Centres for Substance Use and Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada; School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Health Sciences Centre, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
| | - Ekaterina Nosova
- British Columbia Centres for Substance Use and Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada
| | - Eugenia Socías
- British Columbia Centres for Substance Use and Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Seonaid Nolan
- British Columbia Centres for Substance Use and Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Rupinder Brar
- British Columbia Centres for Substance Use and Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- British Columbia Centres for Substance Use and Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - M-J Milloy
- British Columbia Centres for Substance Use and Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Thomas Kerr
- British Columbia Centres for Substance Use and Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Evan Wood
- British Columbia Centres for Substance Use and Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
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Cheema C, Brar R, Narwan A, Cheema C. Transitional Care Management in patients discharging from Skilled Nursing facility: Combating Rehospitalization and Bridging the Gaps in Care. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2017.12.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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30
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Elwan H, Brar R, Patel S, Biasi L, Donati T, Lea T, Katsanos K, Zayed H. Supervised Exercise Therapy Versus Percutaneous Angioplasty Versus Combined Angioplasty and Exercise for Intermittent Claudication: Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2017.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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31
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Prasad A, Brar R, Sinha S, Rana S. Idiopathic spinal cord herniation. Singapore Med J 2013. [DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2013039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Kammon A, No author NA, Brar R, Sodhi S, Banga H, Nagra J. Chlorpyrifos chronic toxicity in broilers and effect of vitamin C. Open Vet J 2011. [DOI: 10.5455/ovj.2011.v1.i0.p21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
An experiment was conducted to study chlorpyrifos chronic toxicity in broilers and the protective effect of vitamin C. Oral administration of 0.8 mg/kg body weight (bw) (1/50 LD50) chlorpyrifos (Radar�), produced mild diarrhea and gross lesions comprised of paleness, flaccid consistency and slightly enlargement of liver. Histopathologically, chlorpyrifos produced degenerative changes in various organs. Oral administration of 100 mg/kg bw vitamin C partially ameliorated the degenerative changes in kidney and heart. There was insignificant alteration in biochemical and haematological profiles. It is concluded that supplementation of vitamin C reduced the severity of lesions induced by chronic chlorpyrifos toxicity in broilers.
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Brar R, Ali T, Morgan R, Loftus I, Thompson M. Endovascular repair of an aortic arch aneurysm using a branched-stent graft. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2008; 36:545-9. [PMID: 18722142 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2008.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2008] [Accepted: 06/29/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Aortic arch aneurysm repair continues to pose a formidable technical challenge in a patient population with significant co-morbidity. REPORT We present a successful endovascular repair of an 8.4 cm aortic arch aneurysm, in a 74 year old man, who's previous median sternotomy showed signs of delayed healing, precluding open repair. DISCUSSION Applied endovascular techniques obviated the need for aortic clamping, cardiac bypass, or hypothermic circulatory arrest, via an approach that was potentially infected.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Brar
- St George's Vascular Institute, St George's Hospital NHS Trust, Blackshaw Road, London SW17 0QT, UK
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35
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Brar R, Ahluwahla G, Yeo A. Endovascular Aneurysm Repair for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA). Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2007. [DOI: 10.1308/rcsann.2007.89.8.828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- R Brar
- St Mary's Hospital Paddington, London, UK
| | | | - A Yeo
- St Mary's Hospital Paddington, London, UK
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Chandraratna PA, Vijayasekaran S, Brar R, Azer M, Brar B, Gandhi S, Niguse GT, Chen Q. Feasibility of continuous transthoracic cardiac imaging using a novel ultrasound transducer. Echocardiography 2001; 18:651-5. [PMID: 11801206 DOI: 10.1046/j.1540-8175.2001.00651.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The feasibility of hands-free transthoracic continuous ultrasonic cardiac imaging has not been demonstrated previously. We developed a 2.5-MHZ spherical transducer mounted in an external housing to permit steering in 360 degrees (CONTISON). The external housing was attached to the chest wall using an adhesive patch. METHODS AND RESULTS The transducer was placed in the third or fourth interspace at the left sternal border to permit imaging of the left ventricle (LV) in its short axis and attached to the chest wall. The transducer then was attached to an ultrasound machine. Ten normal subjects and 20 patients with previous myocardial infarction were studied. The following maneuvers were performed at the beginning of the study: (1) The patient was rotated from the supine position (0 degrees ) in 20 degrees increments to the left lateral decubitus position (90 degrees ). The echocardiogram was displayed continuously and was recorded on videotape (parasternal short-axis view) at 0 degrees, 20 degrees, 40 degrees, 60 degrees, 80 degrees, and 90 degrees. (2) The patient was returned to the supine position and an echocardiogram was obtained. The patient was then seated up 20 degrees, 40 degrees, 60 degrees, 80 degrees, and 90 degrees by using the controls on the bed. (3) The patient then was returned to the supine position and the echocardiogram was displayed continuously on the monitor. The echocardiogram was recorded every 15 minutes for a period of 4 hours. All segments of the LV were visualized in the supine position and during lateral rotation (0 degrees -90 degrees ). Thus, body position did not affect the image. All segments of the LV were visualized during sitting up (0 degrees -90 degrees ), and all segments were visualized during the 4 hours of imaging. The patients were able to move around without distortion of the image. CONCLUSION The CONTISON transducer permitted continuous imaging of LV wall motion. Body position did not affect interpretation of wall motion. This device has potential applicability in monitoring LV function in the intensive care setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- P A Chandraratna
- (11-111 Cardiology), Cardiology Section, Medical Health Care Group, Long Beach VA Health Care, 5901 East 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90822, USA
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Kumar A, Brar R, Wang P, Dee L, Skorupa G, Khadour F, Schulz R, Parrillo JE. Role of nitric oxide and cGMP in human septic serum-induced depression of cardiac myocyte contractility. Am J Physiol 1999; 276:R265-76. [PMID: 9887205 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.1999.276.1.r265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated the existence of a circulating myocardial depressant substance during human septic shock. We have recently identified this substance as a synergistic combination of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). This study utilized an in vitro cardiac myocyte assay to evaluate the potential mechanistic role of nitric oxide (NO) and cGMP in depression of myocyte contractility induced by TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha + IL-1beta (at low concentrations), and human septic shock serum (HSS). TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha + IL-1beta, and each of 5 sera from patients with acute septic shock caused depression of both maximum extent and peak velocity of cardiac myocyte shortening and an increase in intracellular cGMP concentration during 30 min of exposure (minimum P < 0.01). NO synthetase (NOS) and guanylate cyclase inhibitors such as N-methyl-L-arginine (L-NMA) and methylene blue prevented these effects; an excess of L-arginine with L-NMA restored them (minimum P < 0.01). In contrast, D-arginine failed to reestablish cytokine-induced myocyte depression and cGMP accumulation prevented by L-NMA. Exposure of myocytes to TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, or TNF-alpha + IL-1beta produced a concentration-dependent increase in intracellular cGMP that paralleled the depression of cardiac myocyte contractility (minimum P < 0.001). In addition, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha + IL-1beta, or HSS application to cardiac myocytes resulted in increased NO gas generation, which was inhibited by L-NMA (minimum P < 0.01). Furthermore, unstimulated cardiac myocytes were shown to harbor constitutive but not inducible NOS activity. These data suggest that the sequential generation of NO by a constitutive NOS and cGMP by guanylate cyclase represents an important mechanism of cardiac myocyte depression by TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha + IL-1beta, and the myocardial depressant substance(s) of septic shock.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kumar
- Section of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA
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Soble JS, Yurow G, Brar R, Stamos T, Neumann A, Garcia M, Stoddard MF, Cherian PK, Bhamb B, Thomas JD. Comparison of MPEG digital video with super VHS tape for diagnostic echocardiographic readings. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 1998; 11:819-25. [PMID: 9719094 DOI: 10.1016/s0894-7317(98)70057-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digital recording of echocardiographic studies is on the clinical horizon. However, full digital capture of complete echocardiographic studies in traditional video format is impractical, given current storage capacity and network bandwidth. To overcome these constraints, we evaluated the diagnostic image quality of digital video by using MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group) compression. METHODS AND RESULTS Fifty-eight complete, consecutive studies were recorded simultaneously with the use of MPEG-1 and sVHS videotape. Each matched MPEG and sVHS study pair was reviewed by two from a total of six readers, and findings were recorded with the use of a detailed, computerized reporting tool. Intrareader and interreader discrepancies were characterized as major or minor and analyzed in total and for specific subgroups of findings (left and right ventricular parameters, valvular insufficiency, and left ventricular regional wall motion). Intrareader discrepancies were reviewed by a consensus panel for agreement with either MPEG or sVHS findings. There was an exact concordance between MPEG and sVHS readings in 83% of findings. The majority of discrepancies were minor, with major discrepancies in only 2.7% of findings. There was no difference in the rate of consensus panel agreement with MPEG or sVHS for instances of intrareader discrepancy, either in total or for any subgroup of findings. Interreader discrepancy rates were nearly identical for both MPEG and sVHS. CONCLUSIONS MPEG-1 digital video is equivalent to sVHS videotape for diagnostic echocardiography. MPEG increases the range of practical options for digital echocardiography and offers, for the first time, the advantages of digital recording in a familiar video format.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Soble
- Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA
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Brar R, Kumar A, Schaer G, Hollenberg S, Hursey T, Sun Y, Parrillo J. Release of soluble myocardial depressant activity by reperfused myocardium. J Am Coll Cardiol 1996. [DOI: 10.1016/s0735-1097(96)82472-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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