Associations Between the Specialty of Opioid Prescribers and Opioid Addiction, Misuse, and Overdose Outcomes

Pain Medicine ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 1871-1890
Author(s):  
Carroline P Lobo ◽  
Gerald Cochran ◽  
Chung-Chou H Chang ◽  
Walid F Gellad ◽  
Adam J Gordon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Prescription Opioid ◽  
Opioid Overdose ◽  
Pain Medicine ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Primary Care Practitioners ◽  
Incident Cohort

Abstract Objective To examine associations between opioid prescriber specialty and patient likelihood of opioid use disorder (OUD), opioid misuse, and opioid overdose. Design Longitudinal retrospective study using Pennsylvania Medicaid data (2007–2015). Methods We constructed an incident cohort of 432,110 enrollees initiating prescription opioid use without a history of OUD or overdose six months before opioid initiation. We attributed patients to one of 10 specialties using the first opioid prescriber’s specialty or, alternatively, the specialty of the dominant prescriber writing the majority of the patient’s opioid prescriptions. We estimated adjusted rates for OUD, misuse, and overdose, adjusting for demographic variables and medical (including pain) and psychiatric comorbidities. Results The unadjusted incidence rates of OUD, misuse, and overdose were 7.13, 4.73, and 0.69 per 100,000 person-days, respectively. Patients initiating a new episode of opioid treatment with Pain Medicine/Anesthesiology (6.7 events, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.5 to 8.2) or Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R; 6.1 events, 95% CI = 5.1 to 7.2) had higher adjusted rates for OUD per 100,000 person-days compared with Primary Care practitioners (PCPs; 4.4 events, 95% CI = 4.1 to 4.7). Patients with index prescriptions from Pain Medicine/Anesthesiology (15.9 events, 95% CI = 13.2 to 19.3) or PM&R (15.8 events, 95% CI = 13.5 to 18.4) had higher adjusted rates for misuse per 100,000 person-days compared with PCPs (9.6 events, 95% CI = 8.8 to 10.6). Findings were largely similar when patients were attributed to specialty based on dominant prescriber. Conclusions Differences in opioid-related risks by specialty of opioid prescriber may arise from differences in patient risk factors, provider behavior, or both. Our findings inform targeting of opioid risk mitigation strategies to specific practitioner specialties.

Fentanyl analogue overdose: Key lessons in management in the synthetic opioid age

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 428-432
Author(s):  
Amer Raheemullah, MD ◽  
Neal Andruska, MD, PhD
Keyword(s):  
Addiction Treatment ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Prescription Opioid ◽  
Opioid Overdose ◽  
Health Departments ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Public Health Departments ◽  
Disorder Treatment ◽  
Fentanyl Analogues ◽  
Overdose Deaths

Fentanyl overdoses are growing at an alarming rate. Fentanyl is often mixed into heroin and counterfeit prescription opioid pills without the customer’s knowledge and only detected upon laboratory analysis. This is problematic because fentanyl analogues like carfentanil are 10,000 times more potent than morphine and pose new challenges to opioid overdose management. A 62-year-old male with an overdose from a rare fentanyl analogue, acrylfentanyl, was given two doses of intranasal 2 mg naloxone with improvements in respiratory rate. In lieu of more naloxone, his trachea was intubated and he was admitted to the intensive care unit. He subsequently developed ventilator-associated pneumonia and then a pulmonary embolism. He did not receive any opioid use disorder treatment and returned back to the emergency department with an opioid overdose 21 days after discharge.We are encountering an unprecedented rise in synthetic opioid overdose deaths as we enter the third decade of the opioid epidemic. Thus, it is imperative to be aware of the features and management of overdoses from fentanyl and its analogues. This includes protecting against occupational exposure, administering adequate doses of naloxone, and working with public health departments to respond to fentanyl outbreaks. Additionally, fentanyl overdoses represent a critical opportunity to move beyond acute stabilization, start buprenorphine or methadone for opioid use disorder during hospitalization, link patients to ongoing addiction treatment, and distribute naloxone into the community to help curb the overdose epidemic.

scholarly journals Experiences of people with opioid use disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0255396
Author(s):  
Lexis R. Galarneau ◽  
Jesse Hilburt ◽  
Zoe R. O’Neill ◽  
Jane A. Buxton ◽  
Frank X. Scheuermeyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Community Outreach ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Outreach Program ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Opioid Agonist ◽  
Health Measures

Aim To capture pandemic experiences of people with opioid use disorder (OUD) to better inform the programs that serve them. Design We designed, conducted, and analyzed semi-structured qualitative interviews using grounded theory. We conducted interviews until theme saturation was reached and we iteratively developed a codebook of emerging themes. Individuals with lived experience of substance use provided feedback at all steps of the study. Setting We conducted phone or in-person interviews in compliance with physical distancing and public health regulations in outdoor Vancouver parks or well-ventilated indoor spaces between June to September 2020. Participants Using purposive sampling, we recruited participants (n = 19) who were individuals with OUD enrolled in an intensive community outreach program, had visited one of two emergency departments, were over 18, lived within catchment, and were not already receiving opioid agonist therapy. Measurements We audio-recorded interviews, which were later transcribed verbatim and checked for accuracy while removing all identifiers. Interviews explored participants’ knowledge of COVID-19 and related safety measures, changes to drug use and healthcare services, and community impacts of COVID-19. Results One third of participants were women, approximately two thirds had stable housing, and ages ranged between 23 and 59 years old. Participants were knowledgeable on COVID-19 public health measures. Some participants noted that fear decreased social connection and reluctance to help reverse overdoses; others expressed pride in community cohesion during crisis. Several participants mentioned decreased access to housing, harm reduction, and medical care services. Several participants reported using drugs alone more frequently, consuming different or fewer drugs because of supply shortages, or using more drugs to replace lost activities. Conclusion COVID-19 had profound effects on the social lives, access to services, and risk-taking behaviour of people with opioid use disorder. Pandemic public health measures must include risk mitigation strategies to maintain access to critical opioid-related services.

scholarly journals Opioid use disorder and treatment: challenges and opportunities

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim A. Hoffman ◽  
Javier Ponce Terashima ◽  
Dennis McCarty
Keyword(s):  
Partial Agonist ◽  
Opioid Analgesics ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Psychosocial Treatment ◽  
Opioid Antagonist ◽  
Prescription Opioid ◽  
Opioid Overdose ◽  
Opioid Epidemic ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Services Research

Abstract Background Addiction health service researchers have focused efforts on opioid use disorder (OUD) and strategies to address the emerging public health threats associated with the epidemics of opioid use and opioid overdose. The increase in OUD is associated with widespread access to prescription opioid analgesics, enhanced purity of heroin, the introduction of potent illicit fentanyl compounds, and a rising tide of opioid overdose fatalities. These deaths have become the face of the opioid epidemic. Main Text OUD is a chronic disorder that usually requires both medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and psychosocial treatment and support. Research has found that MOUD with an opioid receptor agonist (methadone), partial agonist (buprenorphine), or opioid antagonist (extended-release naltrexone) can support recovery. Despite compelling evidence that MOUD are effective, they remain underutilized. More research is needed on these therapies to understand the feasibility of implementation in clinic settings. Conclusion This special issue focuses on how health services research has emerged as an important contributor to efforts to control the opioid epidemic in North America and Europe.

Understanding and Preventing Opioid Misuse and Abuse (DRAFT)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L. DuPont ◽  
Theodore V. Parran ◽  
Bonnie B. Wilford
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Opioid Misuse ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Pattern Control ◽  
Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs ◽  
Risk Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Risks Factors

This chapter describes the dynamics of opioid misuse and abuse, and of opioid use disorder, as a basis for choosing risk mitigation strategies. Its opening words capture the dichotomy confronting the physician, describing opioids’ virtues and simultaneous risks. Factors contributing to the misuse and compulsive use of opioids preface a review of the best practices in prevention: prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), consultation and collateral source interrogation, lost prescription replacement policies, and development of and mutual adherence to formal monitoring plans. The chapter is directed to all physicians in clinical practice. Included is a table describing appropriate and inappropriate opioid use, with clinical examples. A second table distinguishes medical from nonmedical uses of opioids according to intent, effect, pattern, control, and legality. A final table distinguishes between the physician’s and the patient’s responsibilities.

Managing Pain in Patients with a History of a Substance Use Disorder

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin D. Cheatle
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Scholarly Activity ◽  
Prescription Opioid ◽  
Opioid Misuse ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Prescription Opioid Misuse

Patients with chronic pain tend to be complex and can present with multiple comorbidities, including anxiety, depression, functional disabilities, and substance misuse or abuse. The burgeoning rate of prescription opioid misuse and abuse and opioid-related fatalities has generated a great deal of scholarly activity on understanding the etiology of opioid misuse/abuse and developing risk assessment and mitigation strategies to curb this public health crisis. Balancing effective pain management and reducing the risk of opioid misuse/abuse and diversion can be a daunting endeavor, as is controlling pain in patients with pain and concomitant substance use disorders. This chapter provides an overview of the prevalence of opioid misuse/abuse in patients with chronic pain. It covers pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies for patients with pain and co-occurring opioid use disorder and also discusses the challenges and opportunities to improve pain care and reduce misuse and abuse of opioids.

scholarly journals Opioid medicines management in primary care settings: a scoping review of quantitative studies of pharmacists’ activities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Jordan ◽  
Asam Latif ◽  
Judy Mullan ◽  
Timothy Chen
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Provider Education ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Medicines Management ◽  
Primary Care Settings

Aim To undertake a scoping review of pharmacists’ activities in opioid medicines management in primary care settings, including those developed or led by pharmacists, or in which pharmacists were members of broader multi-disciplinary teams; and to collate the activities, models of care and settings, and reported outcomes. Methods The bibliographic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, CINAHL, SCOPUS and Web of Science were searched. Studies with quantitative evaluation and published in English were eligible. Participants were patients with any pain category or an opioid use disorder, and healthcare providers. Studies originating in hospitals or involving supply functions were not included. Screening of literature and data charting of results were undertaken by two researchers. Results The 47 studies included in the scooping review occurred in primary care settings collated into four categories: general practice or primary care clinics; healthcare organisations; community pharmacies and outreach services. Studies were primarily of opioid use in chronic, non-cancer pain. Other indications were opioid use disorder, cancer and dental pain. Pharmacist activities targeted risk-mitigation, patient and provider education and broader, strategic approaches. Patient-related outcomes included reduced opioid load, improved functionality and symptom management, enhanced access to services and medication-assisted treatments, and engagement in risk-mitigation strategies. Behaviour change of providers was demonstrated. Conclusion The review has identified the significant contribution that pharmacists working in primary care settings can make to minimise harm from opioids. Strategies implemented in isolation have the potential to further reduce adverse clinical outcomes with greater collaboration and coordination, such as opioid stewardship.

scholarly journals Assessing the Relationships Between COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Orders and Opioid Overdoses in the State of Pennsylvania

2021 ◽  
pp. 002204262110063
Author(s):  
Brian King ◽  
Ruchi Patel ◽  
Andrea Rishworth
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Opioid Overdose ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Fentanyl Analogs ◽  
Measure Change ◽  
Using Data ◽  
At Home

COVID-19 is compounding opioid use disorder throughout the United States. While recent commentaries provide useful policy recommendations, few studies examine the intersection of COVID-19 policy responses and patterns of opioid overdose. We examine opioid overdoses prior to and following the Pennsylvania stay-at-home order implemented on April 1, 2020. Using data from the Pennsylvania Overdose Information Network, we measure change in monthly incidents of opioid-related overdose pre- versus post-April 1, and the significance of change by gender, age, race, drug class, and naloxone doses administered. Findings demonstrate statistically significant increases in overdose incidents among both men and women, White and Black groups, and several age groups, most notably the 30–39 and 40–49 ranges, following April 1. Significant increases were observed for overdoses involving heroin, fentanyl, fentanyl analogs or other synthetic opioids, pharmaceutical opioids, and carfentanil. The study emphasizes the need for opioid use to be addressed alongside efforts to mitigate and manage COVID-19 infection.

Predicting Opioid Overdose Readmission and Opioid Use Disorder with Machine Learning

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah McDougall ◽  
Priyanka Annapureddy ◽  
Praveen Madiraju ◽  
Nicole Fumo ◽  
Stephen Hargarten
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Opioid Overdose ◽  
Opioid Use

354 Trends in the Drug-Sparing Effects for Benzodiazepines and Prescription Opioids among Insomnia Patients on Suvorexant in the US

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A141-A141
Author(s):  
Hrishikesh Kale ◽  
Rezaul Khandker ◽  
Ruchit Shah ◽  
Marc Botteman ◽  
Weilin Meng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interrupted Time Series ◽  
Charlson Comorbidity Index Score ◽  
Prescription Opioid ◽  
Prescription Opioids ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Prescription Opioid Use ◽  
Incident Cohort ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Post Period

Abstract Introduction Use of benzodiazepines to treat insomnia has been associated with serious side effects and abuse potential. Insomnia patients are at high risk of opioid abuse and better sleep patterns may help to reduce opioid use. This study examined the trend in the use of benzodiazepines and prescription opioids before and after initiation of suvorexant in insomnia patients. Methods The study analyzed 2015–2019, Optum Clinformatics Data Mart. Insomnia patients, identified using ICD-9/10 codes and prescribed suvorexant were included. The study included incident (newly diagnosed) and prevalent cohorts of insomnia patients. The proportion of patients on benzodiazepines or prescription opioids were calculated for 12 monthly intervals before (pre-period) and after initiation of suvorexant (post-period). Interrupted time series (ITS) analysis was conducted to assess trends for use of benzodiazepine or prescription opioids over time. Results A total of 5,939 patients from the incident insomnia cohort and 18,920 from the prevalent cohort were included. For the incident cohort, mean age was 64.47 (SD: 15.48), 63% were females, 71% had Medicare Advantage coverage, 59% had Charlson comorbidity index score (CCI) ≥ 1, 27% had an anxiety disorder and 16% had substance abuse disorder. Prevalent insomnia cohort was similar but had higher CCI. Results from ITS suggested that at the beginning of the pre-period, 28% of incident insomnia patients used either opioids or benzodiazepines with the rate of use in the pre-period increasing by 0.11% per month. In the post-period, the rate of use decreased by 0.33% per month. About 26% patients used benzodiazepines or opioids at 12-month after suvorexant initiation. In the absence of suvorexant, this proportion would have been 31%. Similar findings were observed for the prevalent insomnia cohort. A larger decrease was observed for opioid use than benzodiazepines. Conclusion The rate of benzodiazepines or prescription opioid use decreased over time after the initiation of suvorexant. Suvorexant has the potential to reduce the use of opioids and benzodiazepines among insomnia patients. Further research is needed to confirm these findings. Support (if any) This study was sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document