Articles tagged with Opioids
The University of Missouri has received a $1.2 million grant to provide clinical training to doctoral students in underserved Missouri communities affected by the opioid epidemic. The program aims to create a workforce that can address improved treatment access, overdose-reversing drugs and pain management strategies.
Researchers developed a bioelectronic implant that can sense dangerously low oxygen levels and administer naloxone to prevent opioid deaths. The device is small, wireless, and can be implanted just beneath the skin to bypass barriers in current overdose treatment.
A team of researchers from the University of Sydney has made a breakthrough in the search for an opioid alternative, discovering a fungus that produces tetrapeptides mimicking endomophins. The findings, published in PNAS, suggest a new drug could be developed with fewer side-effects and effective pain relief.
A new study at Boston Medical Center aims to determine the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in treating chronic lower back pain. The 8-week group mindfulness program may improve patients' physical and psychological function, as well as their likelihood of reducing opioid prescriptions.
In Penn Medicine's New Jersey practices, an electronic 'nudge' served as an effective tool to influence prescribing behavior and lower quantities of prescribed opioids. The study found no evidence that pain control worsened despite the decreased prescriptions.
Researchers propose novel treatment strategies that can help prevent opioid abuse by identifying vulnerable individuals through advances in brain science. These findings have implications for addressing the opioid epidemic, particularly in understanding the neurological response to opioids.
The University of Illinois Chicago has received $2.8 million in NIH funding to investigate non-opioid pain management solutions for adults with kidney disease. The study aims to find effective treatments to alleviate chronic pain and improve quality of life for patients on maintenance dialysis.
A study found that prescription opioids are associated with a higher risk of death and hospitalization compared to other pain medications, especially at high doses. The risk is highest among individuals with lower kidney function, who may experience reduced clearance of the active compounds from their bodies.
A team of UC Davis researchers led by Vladimir Yarov-Yarovoy is developing a new class of peptides to treat chronic pain with minimal side effects. The goal is to identify the most effective peptide design that can selectively block pain-associated sodium channels without affecting other channels.
Patients who first see a chiropractor or physical therapist are less likely to be prescribed opioids, reducing the risk of short- and long-term use. The study found that state-level policy regulations impact opioid prescribing, with patients in states with limited access more likely to receive opioids.
The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a grant to Sydney-based company Kinoxis Therapeutics to develop a potential treatment for opioid withdrawal. KNX100, a small molecule therapeutic drug candidate, is being developed to treat opioid-use disorder and other substance use disorders.
A new study published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report found that nearly one-third of patients with lupus use prescription opioids to manage chronic pain. The research, led by Emily Somers, aims to determine current levels of opioid prescribing for lupus patients.
Researchers at Wayne State University and Henry Ford Health System aim to develop a new therapeutic approach to reduce opioid addiction relapse using dual orexin antagonism. The study will investigate the role of sleep disturbance in opioid use disorder and its potential link to treatment cessation.
A large-scale implementation of an enhanced recovery program (ERP) reduced rates of extended hospitalization for bariatric surgery patients by nearly half. The protocol, known as ENERGY, improved patient outcomes through measures such as minimizing fluid overload and implementing opioid-sparing pain management strategies.
Guidelines recommend universal screening for opioid use and offering opioid agonist therapy, counselling, and mental health supports. Ongoing support in the postpartum period is crucial for women with opioid use disorders at increased risk of fatal overdose.
The University of Kentucky received a grant to establish a Clinical Research Center to provide quality addiction treatment for opioid use disorder in criminal justice settings. The grant will enhance access to treatment for women transitioning from jail to the community, addressing unique vulnerabilities.
Rates of filled opioid prescriptions after eye surgery doubled from 1.2% in 2000-01 to 2.5% in 2014 across six ocular subspecialties, despite reduced invasiveness and recovery time for these procedures. The study's findings are concerning as they suggest that efforts to reduce opioid use have not had the desired impact.
Researchers have identified specific touchpoints where individuals with opioid use disorder encounter the healthcare system, criminal justice, or public health services, increasing their risk of overdose death. Targeted interventions and harm reduction services can reduce these deaths by up to 50%.
A study found that young adults in the US report high rates of non-medical prescription drug use, binge drinking, and illicit drug use. Researchers recommend a multilevel approach to address potential harms related to polysubstance use throughout the life course.
Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa are at increased risk of developing new long-term opioid use. Researchers found that nearly 25% of patients developed opioids over two years, highlighting the need for alternative pain management strategies.
A three-year pilot study is evaluating a new opioid overdose prevention program, ROAR, specifically designed for incarcerated women. The program aims to reduce the risk of post-incarceration opioid overdose by providing treatment and recovery support prior to release.
Researchers presented innovative studies on head and neck cancer, cochlear implants, and treatment options for conditions like laryngotracheal stenosis and obstructive sleep apnea. The selected studies highlighted outstanding scientific merit and innovation in the field of otolaryngology.
A new study found that only a small percentage of men taking long-term opioids were screened for and treated for low testosterone. The research suggests a widespread underscreening for this condition, which can have significant effects on men's health and quality of life.
Researchers discovered that patients coming off chronic opioid prescriptions were three times more likely to die of an overdose in the years that followed. This alarming outcome has raised concerns about the policy recommendations aimed at reducing opioid prescribing, highlighting the need for systems to protect patients.
A recent study found that approximately 400 caregivers reported pain medication use by children after common surgeries such as hernia or appendectomy. Most patients received acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief, with only 22% prescribed opioids at hospital discharge.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that patients in the US and Canada receive opioids at a rate seven times higher than those in Sweden. Nearly half of US patients received high-dose opioid prescriptions within 30 days of discharge, while 25% of Canadian patients did so.
A comparison of opioid prescription fills after surgery revealed significant differences between the United States, Canada, and Sweden. The study found that 76.2% of US patients filled an opioid prescription within seven days of discharge, compared to 78.6% in Canada and 11.1% in Sweden.
A new study by Weill Cornell Medicine found that states with comprehensive prescription drug monitoring program mandates saw a 8.92% reduction in opioid prescriptions and 17.75% fewer emergency department visits compared to those with weak or no mandates.
Primary care physicians tend to prescribe opioids more for pain issues later in the day and if appointments are running late. The likelihood of an opioid prescription increased from 4% to 5.3% as appointments progressed, with a notable increase for appointments over 60 minutes behind schedule.
New research reveals a strong correlation between opioid use, brain inflammation, and negative emotional states during withdrawal. The study found that inflammation in the gut and central amygdala may contribute to the severity of withdrawal symptoms.
University Hospitals has received a $1 million grant from the Ohio Opioid Technology Challenge to further develop its opioid pill tracking technology. The platform, UH Care Continues, helped keep over 12,000 prescription opioid pills out of circulation in just six months by leveraging algorithms to prompt clinicians to evaluate patient...
A systematic review found moderate-strength evidence supporting face-to-face CBT in reducing suicidal ideation, as well as low-strength evidence suggesting DBT's effectiveness. Pharmaceutical treatments like ketamine and lithium showed promise in reducing suicidal ideation and suicide rates, respectively.
Research from Michigan Medicine identified anxiety as a key factor linked to more opioid use after surgery. The study also found younger age, non-white race, and sleep disturbance to be associated with increased opioid consumption. Clinicians may target these factors to personalize pain management and reduce opioid misuse.
The Massage Therapy Foundation has awarded a research grant to investigate the effectiveness of massage therapy in reducing chronic pain and opioid crisis among veterans. The two-year study aims to explore massage therapy's benefits and develop sustainable recommendations for addressing pain and improving care.
A 2 ½-year study found that osteopathic physicians' empathetic approach reduces pain catastrophizing and disability among patients with chronic pain. Osteopathic physicians are also less likely to prescribe opioids, aligning with CDC guidelines.
Scientists identified a receptor, GPR139, in nematodes that decreases opioid sensitivity and withdrawal effects. The discovery could pave the way for developing new treatments with improved safety and efficacy.
A Michigan-wide effort to reduce opioid prescribing for common surgeries resulted in a nearly 30% decrease in prescription size, without affecting patient pain or satisfaction. The study's success suggests an opportunity for other states to build on Michigan's experience and further reductions in prescription size.
A study by University of Houston researcher found that adults taking opioids for severe pain also experience increased anxiety, depression, and substance abuse issues when combining it with marijuana. This highlights the need for comprehensive assessment and treatment of chronic pain.
Researchers at Kaiser Permanente discovered that allowing women to eat and move sooner after surgery improves recovery, reduces opioid exposure, and enhances breastfeeding experiences. The study's Enhanced Recovery After Surgery program led to a significant decrease in opioid use without increased pain or hospital stay.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital are developing an opioid vaccine to protect people with opioid use disorder against accidental fentanyl overdoses. The two-year project aims to enroll patients and test responses to candidate vaccines, with the goal of eventually testing the vaccine in humans.
A study found that 9% of patients with acute pain conditions continued opioid use 3 months after discharge from the emergency department. Most patients used opioids to manage initial or new pain, not misuse. The study highlights the need for non-narcotic methods to treat acute pain and further research on chronic pain mechanisms.
A team of experts from Indiana University and the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have received a $1.6 million grant to investigate the impact of opioid pain medications prescribed during pregnancy on children's health outcomes. The study aims to identify causal connections between maternal opioid use and adverse childhood outcomes.
A new study published in Economic Inquiry reveals that marijuana access leads to significant reductions in opioid-related deaths. The research found a decrease of 20-35% in annual opioid mortality rates following recreational marijuana legalization in the US.
According to the OVERCOME study, nearly a quarter of people with frequent headaches use opioids to treat their migraines. Clinical guidelines discourage opioid use for migraine symptoms except in rare cases, highlighting concerns about its potential risks and effectiveness.
Researchers at UNC are collaborating with law enforcement agencies to implement and evaluate two new opioid addiction treatment programs for people in the criminal justice system. The initiatives aim to expand access to substance use treatment and reduce overdose deaths nationwide.
Researchers estimate that opioid misuse reduced state tax revenue by over $11 billion and increased Medicaid costs associated with opioid use disorder to more than $3 billion. The study also found significant costs to the child welfare system, criminal justice system, and education sector.
A study using national insurance claims data found an association between opioid prescriptions after vaginal or cesarean delivery and increased rates of new persistent opioid use among US women. The study included over 988,000 women and explored the long-term effects of post-delivery opioid use.
A recent study of over 308,000 women who gave birth from 2008 to 2016 found that nearly half received opioid prescriptions as part of their birth experience, with one in every hundred still filling them a year later. The percentage of women filling opioid prescriptions declined over time, suggesting growing awareness of the national op...
Researchers at Purdue University developed a wearable device that detects low respiration rates and releases naloxone, reversing deadly effects of opioid overdose. The device could save lives by buying time for emergency services to arrive.
Brown University researchers will work with state and community partners to implement and evaluate a treatment program for people in community-based justice supervision. The program aims to improve outcomes for a larger set of people, including those on parole and probation, who are disproportionately affected by opioid use disorder.
The Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) aims to develop effective intervention and treatment strategies for justice-involved populations with OUD. Research centers will study evidence-based medications, behavioral interventions, and comprehensive patient-centered treatments in 15 states and Puerto Rico.
A recent study found that US physicians prescribe opioids more frequently to patients during hospitalization and at discharge compared to peers in other countries. The study adjusted for pain severity and patient illness, but still observed a significant difference.
A Boston University study found that serious workplace injuries significantly increase the risk of suicide and overdose death, especially among women. The research suggests that improved pain treatment and substance use disorder treatment may help reduce mortality rates from workplace injuries.
Researchers found small increases in nonmedical prescription opioid use and slight decreases or no change in prescription opioid use disorder among nonmedical users. Medical marijuana laws had little impact on individual-level opioid outcomes, suggesting insufficient policies to reduce misuse.
A study of 46,000 injured workers in Tennessee found long-term opioid use was common. Factors associated with long-term opioid use included pre-injury opioid use and type of job injury.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that prescribed opioids are associated with a nearly threefold increase in overdose rates for individuals without their own prescriptions. Family members on the same health insurance plan have access to these medications, posing a significant risk of accidental exposure or misuse.
A new study found that mothers who underwent surgery before pregnancy have a 1.6 times higher risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome, a condition characterized by opioid withdrawal symptoms in newborns. The study suggests that careful postoperative pain management can help prevent this condition.
A new study found that mothers who had surgery before pregnancy had a 1.6 times higher risk of their newborns experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms, known as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). The study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, analyzed data from almost 2.2 million births in Quebec between 1989 and 2016.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 26 studies found that prenatal opioid exposure is associated with delayed cognitive and motor development in children. The study suggests that early prenatal exposure to opioids may have long-term consequences for child development, highlighting the need for further research into this area.
A study found that 40% of primary care clinics refuse new patients taking opioid painkillers, reducing access to needed care. Larger clinics and those offering safety-net coverage were more likely to accept these patients.