Articles tagged with Opioids
A new clinical trial demonstrates that a mindfulness-based therapy, Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE), decreases opioid use and misuse while reducing chronic pain symptoms. MORE significantly improves chronic pain symptoms, decreases opioid craving, and reduces symptoms of depression.
Researchers found that some painkillers and fever medications may help fight infection, while others can weaken the immune system. The review highlights the need for more studies on the impact of these medicines on infectious diseases.
Research from Tufts University scientists finds that opioid exposure in mothers can lead to metabolic disorders and type 2 diabetes in their sons. The study, published in Scientific Reports, suggests that even short-term use of opioids before pregnancy can have long-lasting effects on the health of future generations.
A novel graphene-based field effect transistors (FETs) device can detect four different synthetic and natural opioids at once in wastewater. The device uses aptamers to trap opioid metabolites, enabling real-time monitoring with high geographical resolution and low cost.
Researchers found that 1% of US adults taking opioids are also prescribed benzodiazepines and other sedatives. This polypharmacy approach is linked to increased side effects and may pose dangers to vulnerable populations.
Research reveals that people who have had COVID-19 are more likely to experience mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders, within a year after recovery from the virus. The study found that COVID-19 survivors were 60% more likely to suffer from mental health problems than those who were not infe...
Researchers found a significant increase in overdose deaths involving gabapentinoids and z-drugs between 2000 and 2018. The proportion of deaths increased by more than three-fold, coinciding with exponential prescription increases. Co-usage with opioids was common, with over 67% of overdose victims having both substances in their system.
The Commission on the North American Opioid Crisis recommends banning direct marketing to prescribers and curbing industry influence on medical education. The group also suggests standardizing addiction care within health systems and improving access to medication-assisted treatment.
The study found significant gaps in naloxone access and distribution across the US, with state-specific needs varying by epidemic type and distribution pathways. Community-based and pharmacy-initiated access points were more effective in reducing fatal opioid overdoses.
A US study analyzed opioid prescribing patterns before surgery, revealing that approximately 44% of patients received opioids as preoperative medication. The analysis spanned over a decade and examined the trend's impact on patient outcomes and potential risks.
A national study found that states with higher labor underutilization, non-Hispanic white populations, and opioid prescriptions had higher SIM rates. States with centralized medicolegal death investigation systems detected more SIM cases due to toxicologic testing.
A new study finds that hospitals in predominantly Black and Hispanic areas have lower rates of offering programs addressing opioid use disorder. The researchers analyzed 446 nonprofit hospitals across the US, finding gaps in hospital-based services that contribute to racial disparities.
A new study finds that opioid and stimulant overdose deaths have risen significantly among Black Americans, with a 575% increase in mortality rates compared to white people. The study also reveals a major shift in the geographic trends of the opioid crisis, with a significant increase in overdose deaths in eastern states.
A large study analyzed administrative health data from Ontario and found a low risk of major anomalies with tramadol and morphine, minor anomalies with codeine, hydromorphone, and oxycodone exposure. The study highlights the need to consider both the benefits and harms of opioid treatment during pregnancy.
This survey study estimates the most commonly used opioid and nonopioid pain management techniques for chronic pain among US adults. The findings highlight the widespread use of various pain management methods, including opioids and over-the-counter medications.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic developed a non-opioid pain management approach that provides equivalent or better pain control and patient satisfaction compared to traditional opioid regimens. This approach eliminates opioids after common sports surgeries, such as knee and shoulder procedures.
The UArizona Health Sciences Center is developing a Center of Excellence for Addiction Studies to advance addiction research and develop therapies for the opioid epidemic. The center will facilitate national collaborations, employ cutting-edge genetic techniques, and provide advanced methods for measuring neurotransmitters.
Hospital admissions for opioid use in England rose 48.9% between 2008 and 2018, driven by prescription painkillers and heroin. The increase was most pronounced among older adults and those living in affluent areas.
A quality improvement initiative at 10 US children's hospitals has led to an almost 80% reduction in opioid prescribing for children after appendectomy, without harming patient outcomes. The study used a standardized prescribing protocol and ACS NSQIP Pediatric data to minimize opioid prescriptions.
A recent study found an increase in intentional drug overdose deaths among young people aged 15-24, older adults aged 75-84, and non-Hispanic Black women. Despite a downward trend in overall deaths, these subgroups saw a rise in intentional overdose death rates, with women ages 45 to 64 having the highest rates.
The opioid crisis is predicted to grow exponentially in North America, adding 1.2 million more overdose deaths by 2029. The epidemic began in the 1990s and has worsened over the past decade due to the availability of illicit opioids like heroin and fentanyl.
A study of 236,000 individuals found patient- and prescription-related factors significantly linked to opioid-related fatal or nonfatal overdose. The research highlights the need for careful prescribing practices and post-discharge follow-up to prevent such overdoses.
A multilevel program improved the awareness and adoption of buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in rural Colorado. The program increased the proportion of practices providing or referring patients for treatment from 18.8% to 74.4%, with a significant increase in buprenorphine prescriptions over four years.
Researchers found that exposure to addiction medicine consult teams led to a significantly reduced risk of death within three months of discharge. Medication played a key role in reducing mortality for patients with opioid use disorders, while other components may be crucial for those with alcohol use disorder.
A new study in Ohio finds that neighborhoods with more opioid overdoses have higher rates of child welfare investigations and confirmed cases of child maltreatment. Concentrated disadvantage measures, such as poverty levels, are particularly associated with severe issues with child maltreatment.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing found that patients with acute painful admitting diagnoses were almost twice as likely to have a self-directed discharge than those without. Inadequate pain assessment may be a motivator for this behavior, leading to poorer health outcomes and preventable financial costs.
A new study found a 1,886% increase in opioid-related overdose deaths among U.S. adults aged 55 and older between 1999 and 2019. Contributing factors include ageism, social isolation, depression, and declining cognitive function.
A study analyzing opioid overdose deaths among adults aged 55 and older found disparities by sex, race, and ethnicity. The research revealed that Black and Native American women had higher rates of opioid overdose deaths compared to their white female counterparts.
Research suggests that some heart surgery patients can effectively manage postoperative pain with non-opioid medications at home. A study of 1,924 patients found that nearly one-fourth did not receive an opioid prescription at discharge.
Researchers found that buprenorphine providers are less likely to discriminate between Medicaid and privately insured patients, but patients face numerous barriers to obtaining an initial appointment. Despite this, disparities persist in access to OUD treatment.
A new study suggests that combining two drugs can reduce postoperative opioid use and side effects in adolescents with scoliosis. The combination of intrathecal morphine and oral gabapentin provides more effective pain control, resulting in fewer side effects and lower narcotic consumption.
A Colorado State University study analyzed global health data to identify the leading causes of deaths and disabilities in the state from 1990 to 2019. Cardiovascular disease and cancers accounted for half of the deaths, while musculoskeletal disorders and tobacco use were also significant contributors.
Per capita morphine milligram equivalents (MME) volume declined most in metropolitan counties and counties with higher fatal opioid overdoses. Clinical specialties showed significant declines, except for some states' counties with both increases and decreases.
A program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine increased buprenorphine treatment rates in emergency departments by sixfold, from 3% to 23%, and sustained the changes. The program used behavioral design tactics and automated connections to peer recovery specialists to overcome barriers to treatment.
A Salk Institute team has uncovered a neural network in the brain that connects breathing rhythm with feelings of pain and fear. This discovery could lead to the development of an analgesic that prevents opioid-induced respiratory depression, a major cause of overdose deaths.
The study found that buprenorphine use for opioid use disorder increased substantially in US jails and prisons over the past five years. Despite being rare among incarcerated individuals with opioid use disorder, this increase suggests potential improvements in treatment access.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, access to nonpharmacologic therapies like physical therapy was limited, leading to an increase in opioid prescriptions for pain management. The study found that prescription opioids replaced nonpharmacologic therapies as a primary means of pain control.
A new study found that childhood trauma is a significant risk factor for prescription opioid misuse among young adults. Participants who reported four or more adverse childhood experiences were nearly three times more likely to be at risk for opioid misuse, with a 13% higher likelihood compared to those with zero to three ACEs.
A new smartwatch sensor uses machine learning to detect opioid cravings and provide personalized interventions, showing 80% accuracy in real-time monitoring. The technology has the potential to prevent relapse, overdose, and dependency.
A LSU Health New Orleans study reports a nearly 70% decrease in morphine milligram equivalent (MME) per discharge opioid prescriptions for patients who underwent common lower extremity surgical procedures. The study also found a significant decline in new opioid prescriptions, from 50% in 2013 to 19.3% in 2018.
A new study by NYU School of Global Public Health found racial disparities in opioid prescribing, with Blacks and Hispanics less likely to be prescribed opioids in the late 1990s. By the mid 2000s, prescription opioid use among Blacks matched that of whites, despite the focus on white populations during the opioid crisis.
A study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing explores the effectiveness of telehealth in treating opioid use disorder (OUD) in low-barrier clinic settings. The research highlights how telehealth can facilitate treatment for many patients, but also notes digital divide limitations and clinician comfort issues.
A new study by the Keck School of Medicine of USC finds that Medicaid expansion is associated with a significant reduction in mortality rates. The study, which tracked data from 2014-2018, found that expanding Medicaid coverage resulted in an estimated 3.8% decrease in adult deaths per year.
A new study found that emergency physicians are missing opportunities to prescribe life-saving medications like naloxone and buprenorphine after opioid overdose visits. The study analyzed over 149,000 visits between 2019-2021 and discovered that naloxone was prescribed only in 7.4% of cases, while buprenorphine was prescribed in only 8...
Pharmacy standing orders led to a significant increase in naloxone dispensing in Massachusetts, but gaps in access persist in rural communities and Hispanic neighborhoods. Communities with higher rates of opioid overdose deaths and buprenorphine treatment also dispensed more naloxone.
A new study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that 12.4% of patients who received implantable cardiac devices and filled an opioid prescription within two weeks of surgery developed persistent opioid use. Higher initial prescriptions were associated with a higher risk of persistent opioid use.
A Michigan Medicine study found that only 7.4% of patients received naloxone and 8.5% received buprenorphine prescriptions within 30 days of an opioid overdose. The low rates highlight missed opportunities for equipping patients with rescue medicines to use in case of future overdoses.
Experts suggest expanding treatment options for hospital patients with opioid withdrawal symptoms, potentially allowing more individualized and patient-centered care. Randomized controlled trials are needed to determine the efficacy of short-acting opioids in this context.
A wearable device has been developed to detect and reverse opioid overdoses by injecting naloxone, a lifesaving antidote. The device, which senses when a person stops breathing and moving, has shown promising results in clinical trials.
Scientists at Scripps Research have created new compounds that activate opioid receptors without inducing tolerance, allowing for sustained pain relief. These 'biased agonists' also avoid respiratory suppression and constipation, making them a promising alternative to traditional opioids.
Analysis of COVID-19 pandemic policy changes found that federal and state governments have ensured opioid treatment availability, with few states adopting comprehensive approaches. The study highlights the importance of standardized policies to improve treatment access and outcomes for individuals with opioid use disorder.
A Henry Ford Health System study published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine found that a novel opioid-free pain management protocol provided the same pain relief for patients as common types of prescription opioids. This approach aims to reduce opioid misuse and promote more effective pain management after ACL knee reconstruc...
Opioid overdose deaths in Illinois increased significantly from July 2017 to June 2020, with the highest rates occurring in 2020. The study analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and found a notable spike in unintentional opioid overdose deaths during the pandemic.
Researchers developed a compound that regulates a biological channel linked to pain, reducing the sensation of pain in rodents. The compound, dubbed 194, successfully targets sodium ion channels and promotes pain relief by activating the body's endogenous opioid system.
A review board comprising healthcare professionals from various disciplines has sharply reduced opioid prescribing at an OHSU internal medicine clinic. The clinic uses a systematic approach to review high-risk cases and coach primary care providers on tapering patients off opioids.
A randomized controlled trial found that CBT with yoga and education components significantly reduced pain impact and disability in patients on long-term opioid therapy. Patients receiving CBT also reported greater reductions in pain compared to those receiving usual care.
The rate of HCV in pregnant people increased from 1.8 to 5.1 per 1,000 live births between 2009 and 2019. Researchers found that rural residence, higher rates of employment, and a greater density of obstetricians were associated with a lower risk of developing HCV during pregnancy.
A study of 67,000 patients found that physical therapy can significantly lower the risk of long-term opioid dependence following total knee replacement surgery. The researchers suggest that this could be due to improved pain management and reduced reliance on opioids for post-operative pain relief.
Boston University researchers found that even low levels of physical therapy before or after total knee replacement surgery lower the odds of chronic opioid use. Participation in six or more sessions of physical therapy post-surgery and initiation within 30 days of surgery were linked to reduced chance of chronic opioid use.
A survey of US dentists found that an overwhelming majority believe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-acetaminophen combinations are as effective or more effective in managing dental pain as opioids. However, nearly half still prescribe opioids, highlighting a disconnect between their knowledge and prescribing habits.