scholarly journals Effectiveness and Safety of Low-Threshold Opioid-Agonist Treatment in Hard-To-Reach Populations with Opioid Dependence

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Chalabianloo ◽  
Christian Ohldieck ◽  
Øystein A. Haaland ◽  
Lars Thore Fadnes ◽  
Kjell Arne Johansson
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Utilization ◽  
Opioid Dependence ◽  
Treatment Retention ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Opioid Agonist ◽  
Opioid Agonist Treatment ◽  
Fatal Overdose ◽  
Low Threshold

<b><i>Objectives:</i></b> Opioid-use disorder is related to premature death worldwide. Opioid-agonist treatment (OAT) is an effective treatment for opioid dependence. OAT delivery platforms may influence treatment access and outcomes, especially for the most vulnerable groups. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of low-threshold OAT compared to the standard treatment. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Patients with diagnosed opioid dependence undergoing low-threshold OAT at the Bergen delivery platform in Norway were enrolled in a cohort study in 2014–2019. A national OAT cohort was the reference group. The main outcomes were treatment retention, the use of illicit opioids, non-fatal overdose, overdose death, and all-cause mortality during the first year following treatment initiation and the full treatment period. Additionally, healthcare utilization in the periods before and during OAT was investigated. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Compared to the reference cohort, the low-threshold cohort (<i>n</i> = 128, mean age: 38 years, women: 28%) showed treatment retention rates of 95% versus 92%, illicit opioid use of 7% versus 10%, non-fatal overdose of 7% versus 6%, and death at 1.0% versus 1.3%, respectively. The incident rate ratios (IRRs) for healthcare utilization increased substantially during the OAT period compared to the period before; the IRR increased by 3.3 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.8, 3.9) and 3.4 (95% CI: 3.1, 3.9) for all in- and outpatient healthcare, respectively. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Low-threshold OAT was at least as effective and safe as the standard OAT in terms of treatment retention, the use of illicit opioids, non-fatal overdose, and death. Healthcare utilization increased during the OAT compared to the period before. Lowering the threshold for OAT entrance within proper delivery platforms should be broadly considered to reduce harm and improve healthcare access among patients with opioid dependence.

scholarly journals Opioid agonist treatment and fatal overdose risk in a state‐wide US population receiving opioid use disorder services

Addiction ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 115 (9) ◽  
pp. 1683-1694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noa Krawczyk ◽  
Ramin Mojtabai ◽  
Elizabeth A. Stuart ◽  
Michael Fingerhood ◽  
Deborah Agus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Opioid Agonist ◽  
Opioid Agonist Treatment ◽  
Fatal Overdose

scholarly journals A Cohort Study Evaluating the Association Between Concurrent Mental Disorders, Mortality, Morbidity, and Continuous Treatment Retention for Patients in Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) Across Ontario, Canada Using Administrative Health Data

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen A Morin ◽  
Joseph K Eibl ◽  
Graham Gauthier ◽  
Brian Rush ◽  
Christopher Mushquash ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Treatment Retention ◽  
Continuous Treatment ◽  
Drug Benefit ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Opioid Agonist ◽  
Opioid Agonist Treatment ◽  
Using Data

Abstract Background: Due to the high prevalence of mental disorders among people with opioid use disorder, the objective of this study was to determine the association between concurrent mental disorders, mortality, morbidity and continuous treatment retention for patients in opioid agonist treatment in Ontario, Canada. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients enrolled in opioid agonist treatment between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2015. Patients were stratified into two groups: those diagnosed with concurrent mental disorders and opioid use disorder and those with opioid use disorder only, using data from the Ontario Health Insurance Plan Database, Ontario Drug Benefit Plan Database. The primary outcome studied was all-cause mortality using data from the Registered Persons Database. Emergency Department visits from the National Ambulatory Care Database, hospitalizations Discharge Abstract Database, and continuous retention in treatment, defined as one year of uninterrupted opioid agonist treatment using data from the Ontario Drug Benefit Plan Database, were measured as secondary outcomes. Encrypted patient identifiers were used to link information across databases.Results: We identified 55,924 individuals enrolled in opioid agonist treatment, and 87% had a concurrent mental disorder diagnosis during this period. We observed that having a mental disorder was associated with an increased likelihood of all-cause mortality (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.4; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.2-1.5. For patients diagnosed with mental disorders the estimated rate of ED visits per year was 2.25 times higher and estimated rate of hospitalization per year 1.67 times higher than for patients with no mental disorders. However, there was no association between having a diagnosis of a mental disorder and one-year treatment retention in OAT adjusted Hazard Ratio (HR) = 1.0; 95%CI 0.9 to 1.1).Conclusion: Our findings highlight the consequences of the high prevalence of mental disorders for individuals with opioid use disorder in Ontario, Canada

scholarly journals A Cohort Study Evaluating the Association Between Concurrent Mental Disorders, Mortality, Morbidity, and Continuous Treatment Retention for Patients in Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) Across Ontario, Canada Using Administrative Health Data

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen Morin ◽  
Joseph K Eibl ◽  
Graham Gauthier ◽  
Brian Rush ◽  
Christopher Mushquash ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Treatment Retention ◽  
Continuous Treatment ◽  
Drug Benefit ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Opioid Agonist ◽  
Opioid Agonist Treatment ◽  
Using Data

Abstract Background: Due to the high prevalence of mental disorders among people with opioid use disorder, the objective of this study was to determine the association between concurrent mental disorders, mortality, morbidity and continuous treatment retention for patients in opioid agonist treatment in Ontario, Canada. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients enrolled in opioid agonist treatment between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2015. Patients were stratified into two groups: those diagnosed with concurrent mental disorders and opioid use disorder and those with opioid use disorder only, using data from the Ontario Health Insurance Plan Database, Ontario Drug Benefit Plan Database. The primary outcome studied was all-cause mortality using data from the Registered Persons Database. Emergency Department visits from the National Ambulatory Care Database, hospitalizations Discharge Abstract Database, and continuous retention in treatment, defined as one year of uninterrupted opioid agonist treatment using data from the Ontario Drug Benefit Plan Database, were measured as secondary outcomes. Encrypted patient identifiers were used to link information across databases.Results: We identified 55,924 individuals enrolled in opioid agonist treatment, and 87% had a concurrent mental disorder diagnosis during this period. We observed that having a mental disorder was associated with an increased likelihood of all-cause mortality (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.4; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.2-1.5, frequent emergency department visits (OR 3.69; 95% CI 3.7-4.1) and hospitalizations (OR 2.6; 95%CI 2.5-2.7). However,there was no association between having a diagnosis of a mental disorderand one-year treatment retention in OAT OR 1.0; 95%CI 0.9-1.1). Conclusion: Our findings highlight the consequences of the high prevalence of mental disorders for individuals with opioid use disorder in Ontario, Canada

scholarly journals A Cohort Study Evaluating the Association Between Concurrent Mental Disorders, Mortality, Morbidity, and Continuous Treatment Retention for Patients in Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) Across Ontario, Canada Using Administrative Health Data

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen Morin ◽  
Joseph K Eibl ◽  
Graham Gauthier ◽  
Brian Rush ◽  
Christopher Mushquash ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Treatment Retention ◽  
Continuous Treatment ◽  
Drug Benefit ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Opioid Agonist ◽  
Opioid Agonist Treatment ◽  
Using Data

Abstract Background: Due to the high prevalence of mental disorders among people with opioid use disorder, the objective of this study was to determine the association between concurrent mental disorders, mortality, morbidity and continuous treatment retention for patients in opioid agonist treatment in Ontario, Canada. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients enrolled in opioid agonist treatment between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2015. Patients were stratified into two groups: those diagnosed with concurrent mental disorders and opioid use disorder and those with opioid use disorder only, using data from the Ontario Health Insurance Plan Database, Ontario Drug Benefit Plan Database. The primary outcome studied was all-cause mortality using data from the Registered Persons Database. Emergency Department visits from the National Ambulatory Care Database, hospitalizations Discharge Abstract Database, and continuous retention in treatment, defined as one year of uninterrupted opioid agonist treatment using data from the Ontario Drug Benefit Plan Database, were measured as secondary outcomes. Encrypted patient identifiers were used to link information across databases.Results: We identified 55,924 individuals enrolled in opioid agonist treatment, and 87% had a concurrent mental disorder diagnosis during this period. We observed that having a mental disorder was associated with an increased likelihood of all-cause mortality (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.4; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.2-1.5. For patients who had been diagnosed with mental disorders, the number of ED visits per year 2.25 times higher, and the number of hospitalizations per year was 1.67 times higher than for patients with no mental disorders. However, there was no association between having a diagnosis of a mental disorder and one-year treatment retention in OAT adjusted Hazzard Ratio (HR) = 1.0; 95%CI 0.9 to 1.1).Conclusion: Our findings highlight the consequences of the high prevalence of mental disorders for individuals with opioid use disorder in Ontario, Canada

scholarly journals A Cohort Study Evaluating the Association Between Concurrent Mental Disorders, Mortality, Morbidity, and Continuous Treatment Retention for Patients in Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) Across Ontario, Canada Using Administrative Health Data

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen A. Morin ◽  
Joseph K. Eibl ◽  
Graham Gauthier ◽  
Brian Rush ◽  
Christopher Mushquash ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Treatment Retention ◽  
Continuous Treatment ◽  
Drug Benefit ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Opioid Agonist ◽  
Opioid Agonist Treatment ◽  
Using Data

Abstract Background: Due to the high prevalence of mental disorders among people with opioid use disorder, the objective of this study was to determine the association between concurrent mental disorders, mortality, morbidity and continuous treatment retention in opioid agonist treatment in Ontario, Canada. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients enrolled in opioid agonist treatment between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2016. Patients were stratified into two groups: those diagnosed with concurrent mental disorders and opioid use disorder and those with opioid use disorder only, using data from the Ontario Health Insurance Plan Database, Ontario Drug Benefit Plan Database. The primary outcome studied was all-cause mortality using data from the Registered Persons Database. Emergency Department visits from the National Ambulatory Care Database, hospitalizations Discharge Abstract Database, and continuous retention in treatment, defined as one year of uninterrupted opioid agonist treatment using data from the Ontario Drug Benefit Plan Database, were measured as secondary outcomes. Encrypted patient identifiers were used to link across databases. Results: We identified 55,924 individuals enrolled in opioid agonist treatment, 87% had a concurrent mental disorder diagnosis during this time period. We observed that having a mental disorder was predictive of all-cause mortality (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.4; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.2-1.5, frequent emergency department visits (OR 3.69; 95% CI 3.7-4.1) and hospitalizations (OR 2.6; 95% CI 2.5-2.7). However it was not predictive for one-year treatment retention in OAT OR 1.0; 95% CI 0.9-1.1). Conclusion: Our findings highlight consequences of the high prevalence of mental disorders for individuals with opioid use disorder in Ontario, Canada.

scholarly journals Scoping review protocol: the use of telemedicine in providing opioid agonist treatment and related psychosocial supports

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e040556
Author(s):  
Des Crowley ◽  
Robyn Homeniuk ◽  
Ide Delargy
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Opioid Agonist ◽  
Opioid Agonist Treatment ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Medical Librarian ◽  
The Cochrane Library

IntroductionThe global opioid-related disease burden is significant. Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) can be effective in reducing illicit opioid use and fatal overdose, and improving multiple health and social outcomes. Despite evidence for its effectiveness, there are significant deficits in OAT globally. COVID-19 has required rapid adaptation of remote models of healthcare. Telemedicine is not used routinely in OAT, and little is known about the current levels of use and effectiveness. The objective of this review is to describe models of telemedicine and their efficacy.Methods and analysisThis scoping review uses the review methodology described by Arksey and O’Malley and adapted by Levac et al. The search strategy developed by the medical librarian at the Irish College of General Practitioners in conjunction with the research team will involve five databases (PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, PsycInfo and OpenGrey) and the hand searching of reference lists. A limited initial search of two databases will be completed to refine search terms, followed by a second comprehensive search using newly refined search terms of all databases and finally hand searching references of included studies. To be included, studies must report on remote ways of providing OAT (including assessment, induction and monitoring) or related psychosocial support; be published in English after 2010. Two researchers will independently screen titles, abstracts and full-text articles considered for inclusion. Data will be extracted onto an agreed template and will undergo a descriptive analysis of the contextual or process-oriented data and simple quantitative analysis using descriptive statistics.Ethics and disseminationResearch ethics approval is not required for this scoping review. The results of this scoping review will inform the development of a national remote model of OAT. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant conferences.

scholarly journals Exploring the effectiveness of dextroamphetamine for the treatment of stimulant use disorder: a qualitative study with patients receiving injectable opioid agonist treatment

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Palis ◽  
Kirsten Marchand ◽  
Gerald “ Spike” Peachey ◽  
Jordan Westfall ◽  
Kurt Lock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Substitution Effect ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Opioid Agonist ◽  
Opioid Agonist Treatment ◽  
Stimulant Use ◽  
Practice Elements ◽  
Concurrent Use ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Background A high proportion of people receiving both oral and injectable opioid agonist treatment report concurrent use of stimulants (i.e. cocaine and or amphetamines), which has been associated with higher rates of continued illicit opioid use and treatment dropout. A recent randomized controlled trial demonstrated the effectiveness of dextroamphetamine (a prescribed stimulant) at reducing craving for and use of cocaine among patients receiving injectable opioid agonist treatment. Following this evidence, dextroamphetamine has been prescribed to patients with stimulant use disorder at a clinic in Vancouver. This study investigates perceptions of the effectiveness of dextroamphetamine from the perspective of these patients. Methods Data were collected using small focus groups and one-on-one interviews with patients who were currently or formerly receiving dextroamphetamine (n = 20). Thematic analysis was conducted using an iterative approach, moving between data collection and analysis to search for patterns in the data across transcripts. This process led to the defining and naming of three central themes responding to the research question. Results Participants reported a range of stimulant use types, including cocaine (n = 8), methamphetamine (n = 8), or both (n = 4). Three central themes were identified as relating to participants’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the medication: 1) achieving a substitution effect (i.e. extent to which dextroamphetamine provided a substitution for the effect they received from use of illicit stimulants); 2) Reaching a preferred dose (i.e. speed of titration and effect of the dose received); and 3) Ease of medication access (i.e. preference for take home doses (i.e. carries) vs. medication integrated into care at the clinic). Conclusion In the context of continued investigation of pharmacological treatments for stimulant use disorder, the present study has highlighted how the study of clinical outcomes could be extended to account for factors that contribute to perceptions of effectiveness from the perspective of patients. In practice, elements of treatment delivery (e.g. dosing and dispensation protocols) can be adjusted to allow for various scenarios (e.g. on site vs. take home dosing) by which dextroamphetamine and other pharmacological stimulants could be implemented to provide “effective” treatment for people with a wide range of treatment goals and needs.

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