Research on opioids, addiction, and treatment. Covers traditional care practices, opioid treatment in pregnancy, illicit fentanyl, and treatment disparities.
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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
A new study from Michigan Medicine found that nearly 12% of patients with acute ankle sprain injuries filled an opioid prescription within seven days of diagnosis. Additionally, 8.4% of individuals who had not previously taken opioids were prescribed them three months after the original diagnosis.
Researchers found that patients treated with ibuprofen and Percocet used less opioids than those prescribed just Percocet after arthroscopic shoulder instability repair. This study suggests a possible reduction in post-operative narcotics distribution, addressing the public health crisis of opioid abuse.
Family physicians with five or fewer years' experience emphasize the need for trusting relationships and effective pain management support. Physicians with longstanding practices describe stronger therapeutic relationships that reduce strict enforcement measures.
A UK study found that type 2 diabetes patients experiencing empathy from their primary care practitioners had a lower risk of all-cause mortality over the next 10 years. Additionally, metformin use was associated with a significantly lower risk of dementia in African American patients with type 2 diabetes.
A team-based clinic redesign of opioid medication management in primary care resulted in declines in patients on high-dose opioids and total opioid prescriptions. The 'Six Building Blocks' framework improved opioid prescribing practices, possibly reducing dependency.
Researchers found that every fourth osteoarthritis patient was prescribed opioids, with codeine and tramadol being the most commonly used. Despite not being recommended as a first-line treatment, opioids were still given to nearly a quarter of patients, highlighting a significant challenge in addressing osteoarthritis pain management.
A study of 456 acute gout patients found that over 28% received opioid prescriptions, with many lasting longer than the typical gout attack. Diabetes and prior opioid use increased the likelihood of receiving opioids.
Most large health systems have active stewardship programs to prevent opioid misuse, with pharmacists playing a key role in detection and strategy development. Pharmacists also play a major role in drug therapy monitoring and patient education.
A study published in Hospital Pediatrics found that concurrent benzodiazepine exposure impacts the severity of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) more so than other substances. Infants exposed to both opioids and benzodiazepines were over 50% likelier to require medication treatment.
A peer-reviewed survey of 1,000 people in Colorado found that 80% of cannabis users for pain relief also stopped using prescription painkillers. Additionally, 84% of those using cannabis to aid sleep reported a reduction or stoppage of over-the-counter or prescription sleep aids.
An observational study found that in utero exposure to opioids was associated with a higher likelihood of being small for gestational age, preterm birth, and postnatal neurodevelopmental and physical disorders. Long-term effects included conduct disorder, emotional disturbance diagnoses, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
The study found that naloxone dispensing significantly increased in states with legal mandates for coprescription, up to a 7.75-fold increase compared to states without such mandates. Naloxone prescriptions per 100,000 patients ranged from 6 to 111, depending on the state.
A survey of orthopaedic providers found that they frequently recommend prescribing a nine-day supply of oxycodone after surgery, exceeding current guidelines. Despite knowledge gaps, the study highlights the need for evidence-based guidelines to curb overprescribing and patient harm.
A study found that patients who received more opioid tablets after knee surgery consumed more tablets for longer periods, while those with preoperative education used fewer tablets for shorter durations. Reducing opioid use can lead to better patient outcomes.
Research found a significant association between family members having opioid prescriptions and increased risk of overdose among individuals without opioid prescriptions, applicable to all age groups. The study also showed that greater quantities of prescribed opioids are linked to higher overdose risks.
A retrospective cohort study found that patients who received opioids for the first time while hospitalized had double the risk of continuing to receive opioids for months after discharge. Researchers reviewed electronic health records of 191,249 hospital admissions and found that almost 6% of patients receiving opioids during their ho...
A new study by Brown University researchers found a 25% increase in fatal opioid overdoses after cold weather snaps compared to days with average temperatures of 52 degrees. The study suggests that agencies should consider scaling up harm-reduction efforts during periods of cold weather.
Researchers found that gut microbiota influences morphine tolerance, with tolerant mice lacking Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillaeae. Probiotics restored these depleted communities, reducing morphine tolerance in mice pretreated with probiotics.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine has shed light on the practices surrounding inpatient opioid prescribing, revealing that patients who receive opioids during hospitalization are more likely to continue using them after discharge. The research, conducted by scientists at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate Schoo...
Researchers found that states with strict cannabis laws had lower opioid prescription rates in people aged 18 to 54. Opioid prescriptions increased with age, but this trend was reversed in states with stricter cannabis laws. The study suggests a potential public health benefit of medical cannabis laws
The Stanford University School of Medicine study found that legalizing medical marijuana does not reduce the rate of fatal opioid overdoses. The researchers concluded that access to medical cannabis may not be a factor in reducing opioid deaths, contrary to earlier findings.
Contrary to earlier research, a study found that medical cannabis laws were associated with a 23% increase in opioid overdose mortality. The reversal of the association occurred despite controlled data analysis and small population usage rates of just 2.5%.