Articles tagged with Opioids
Researchers investigated buprenorphine prescribing among Medicaid beneficiaries during the first year of the pandemic. Changes in prescribing rates were observed, with significant implications for treatment access and patient outcomes.
Researchers found that patients with psychosocial and behavioral therapy had lower risk of medication discontinuation in the first 180 days after treatment. Therapy may help reduce high attrition rates commonly observed early during treatment.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen suggests that the poison from the sea snail species Conus rolani can function as a painkiller, blocking out pain in mice for an even longer time than morphine. This discovery offers a potential alternative to addictive painkillers like morphine and opioids.
Research found that Black females and male individuals of Other racial groups had higher odds of having a positive COVID-19 test than their White counterparts. Mortality rates were similar across sexes. Individuals with opioid use disorder presented with an opioid overdose more often than a positive COVID-19 test.
Researchers urge federal intervention to make naloxone widely available, citing a 30% increase in fatal overdoses from 2019 to 2020. The lack of accessible distribution points and high costs are major barriers to access, with one prescription dispensed for every 70 high-dose opioid prescriptions nationwide.
A recent survey study found that many people who could benefit from treatment are going without medication for opioid use disorder. The study revealed particularly low rates of medication use among adolescents and older adults, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to address this critical public health issue.
A study found that fewer than one-third of patients who fill buprenorphine prescriptions written by emergency physicians subsequently fill prescriptions from other clinicians. Researchers emphasize the need for improved systems to seamlessly transition patients from emergency settings to community treatment providers.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that state laws regulating opioid prescriptions had no effect on prescribing patterns for commercially insured adults with chronic non-cancer pain. The study suggests that declines in opioid prescribing may be driven by shifting clinical guidance or other factors.
A study of insurance claims data found that state laws governing opioid prescribing had a negligible effect on opioid prescribing trends. The authors suggest that shifting clinical guidelines, professional norms, or other factors may be driving the decline in opioid prescribing. In contrast, a post-hoc analysis of an ASPREE trial found...
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill are working with community-based harm reduction programs to develop systems to detect and issue public warnings about dangerous adulterants in street drugs. The team aims to use data to reduce overdose deaths and provide timely alerts to protect people's health.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicaid patients in Wisconsin with opioid use disorder experienced decreased access to treatment, including buprenorphine and urine drug testing. The study highlights the need for continued support and resources for these individuals.
The US overdose death rate exceeded the white rate for the first time in 20 years, driven by synthetic opioids and highly toxic drugs. Black Americans and Native Americans had the highest overdose death rates, highlighting deep-seated inequalities in access to treatment and services.
Researchers found that blood pressure medications increase the effect of opioids in the brain, fine-tuning a specific circuit and reducing addiction risk. This discovery suggests a new strategy to boost opioid signaling with minimal dependence on pain treatment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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.