Articles tagged with Opioids
A recent study reveals that buprenorphine prescribers in nonmetropolitan areas predominantly come from primary care backgrounds. These physicians tend to have more flexible practice settings and accept Medicaid, differing from specialists who dominate large metropolitan areas.
A review panel led by Regenstrief Institute Research Scientist Kurt Kroenke found that clinicians, policymakers, and payers are misapplying CDC opioid guidelines, negatively affecting patients. The panel identified challenges with implementing the guidelines, including overly restrictive prescribing policies and burdens on clinicians.
A new study found that 1 in 167 opioid prescriptions were filled by patients whose family members had a history of 'doctor and pharmacy shopping', increasing the risk of misuse and overdose. The research highlights the importance of helping patients store and dispose of opioids safely to prevent family member misuse.
Researchers at SLU discovered a molecular pathway required for neuropathic pain and found blocking this signal can limit or stop pain. A new class of non-narcotic pain-killing therapies is being developed.
Researchers found buprenorphine office visits increased from 0.04% to 0.36% of ambulatory visits between 2004-2015, with 13.4 million visits from 2012-2015. Buprenorphine prescriptions were more common among white patients than those of other races/ethnicities.
Researchers found that certain surgeries, such as colorectal and cardiovascular surgeries, increase the likelihood of patients continuing to refill opioid prescriptions. Generalist nurse practitioners and physician assistants may also be overprescribing opioids, suggesting a need for education and better oversight.
A new study from the RAND Corporation found that allowing pharmacists to dispense naloxone without a physician's prescription can sharply reduce fatal opioid-related overdoses. States that adopted laws enabling direct dispensing of naloxone by pharmacists saw a significant decrease in overdose deaths, with an average reduction of 27% d...
A study of private insurance claims found that only 1.5% of high-risk opioid overdose patients received naloxone prescriptions during healthcare encounters. Prior diagnoses of opioid misuse or dependence were associated with higher naloxone prescription rates.
Researchers identified risks associated with popular alternative treatments like kratom, Imodium, and Xanax, which can cause substantial side effects and high abuse rates. The study also found that 'stacks' or kits combining substances are being used to combat withdrawal symptoms.
A vaccine combining a fentanyl antigen with tetanus toxoid has been shown to reduce fentanyl choices and increase food choices in rats, with effects lasting several months. The findings suggest the vaccine may decrease dangerous drug-taking behavior and increase healthier behaviors.
The University of Houston College of Pharmacy has opened a new center to educate providers and patients on safe controlled substance prescription use, aiming to optimize pharmacotherapy for pain management. The PREMIER Center will also support the safe disposal of unused medications through a $3.34 million grant.
Rutgers researchers analyzed 90 retail pharmacies in 10 New Jersey cities and found that naloxone was available in 60-70% of more affluent communities but less than 25% of lower-income areas. The city's population, affluence, and opioid-related hospital visits over five months were correlated with naloxone availability.
The Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative initiative improved the care of opioid-exposed infants by reducing pharmacological treatment duration and length of hospital stay. The project, which monitored 9,648 infants from 2014 to 2018, saw a decline in the proportion requiring treatment from 48% to 42%.
The researcher will collect data from 1,500 patients using prescription opioids to identify factors that may increase the risk of opioid-related depression. Long-term opioid analgesic use is associated with increased risk for depression and impairs depression treatment and recovery.
A study found that state-run PDMPs, pain clinic legislation, and opioid prescribing guidelines significantly decrease pediatric opioid exposures. The analysis of NPDS data from 2005-2017 showed a notable reduction in opioid exposures among children following the implementation of these policies.
A new study examining opioid fill patterns among Medicaid-enrolled children in the US revealed that prescriptions for these age groups were relatively rare, with an adjusted rate of 0.8% by 2016. The study also found that opioids were most frequently prescribed in combination with other pain relievers.
The UCR School of Medicine will conduct research on collegiate recovery with a focus on increasing awareness, improving treatment support, and incorporating students' voices in decision-making. This effort aims to reduce stigma and improve outcomes for students in recovery.
A recent study found that 40.3% of people with cancer used marijuana in the past year, compared to 38.0% without cancer. Meanwhile, prescription opioid use was higher among those with cancer (13.9%) than without (6.4%).
A study by Kaiser Permanente found that patients with fluctuating opioid doses were 3 times more likely to experience an overdose compared to those with stable doses. Discontinuing long-term opioid therapy for 3 or more months significantly reduced the risk of overdose.
Researchers and health-care professionals from universities across the region are teaming up with community groups to develop new solutions to the opioid crisis. The Opioid Research Consortium of Central Appalachia aims to improve access to treatment and reverse the tide of overdose deaths in areas with limited resources.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has approved $44.6 million to fund studies comparing the best ways to treat health conditions that impose high burdens on patients, caregivers, and the healthcare system. The newly approved awards focus on improving treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), with a total of four aw...
Chronic post-surgical pain affects 10% of patients, often requiring higher levels of opioids that can lead to tolerance and opioid-induced hyperalgesia. Opioid prescribing for surgery patients poses a challenge, with increases in misuse and abuse linked to inadequate pain management.
A study by Penn State researchers estimates that the US government lost up to $37.8 billion in tax revenue between 2000 and 2016 due to opioid-related employment loss. The state of Pennsylvania was among the hardest hit, with approximately $638.2 million lost in income and sales tax.
Researchers from NYU Meyers College of Nursing used FDNY GIS maps to develop an educational program for nurse practitioners, which improved their care and interventions on the opioid crisis. The study found that local, real-time maps informed clinical practice and increased screenings for risk-taking behaviors in adolescent populations.
Researchers found that combining cannabinoids with morphine did not increase impulsivity or memory impairment in rhesus monkeys, suggesting a safe way to cut opioid dosage for pain sufferers. The study's findings support the notion that opioid-cannabinoid mixtures can be effective for treating pain without greater adverse effects.
A novel study creates a new metric to illustrate disadvantaged areas nationwide, highlighting the regions with the highest disparity between opioid-related deaths and access to treatment providers. The study found that nearly 32% of US counties lack any treatment programs, while over 19% have a low number of treatment programs per death.
Research suggests that blocking opioid receptors can reverse the increase in sugar consumption caused by hormone therapy. The study found that estradiol treatment increased sugar intake in rats, but blocking opioid receptors with naltrexone reversed this effect.
The article highlights the growing public health crisis of opioid and infectious disease (ID) epidemics, citing increased rates of HIV, viral hepatitis, and skin infections linked to rising opioid use. Experts recommend strengthened responses by infectious diseases and substance use specialists, including investments in evidence-based ...
Recent studies have shed light on the impact of environmental toxins, food additives, and pain management on human health. Research has found that certain antioxidants can protect cells from harm caused by hexavalent chromium, while other substances may weaken the immune system or cause dental damage.
Researchers found that chronic morphine treatment decreased survival in control mice, but not in sickle mice with sickle cell disease. Chronic opioid therapy also caused hyperalgesia, a condition of increased pain sensitivity, in sickle mice. The study suggests that opioids may still be effective for managing pain in SCD patients despi...
Columbia University has received a planning grant to develop innovative evidence-based practices and programs for opioid education and naloxone training on college campuses. The project aims to establish a platform for disseminating and implementing effective strategies to address the opioid epidemic among college students.
A new study suggests that giving surgery patients disposal bags to safely dispose of leftover opioids can double the percentage of patients who properly dispose of their unneeded pills within six weeks. The study showed that providing only an informational brochure had a much smaller effect on safe disposal rates.
A new study reveals that long-term opioid users are at risk of hormone deficiencies, including hypogonadism and hypocortisolism. Up to 65% of men using opioids long term have low testosterone levels, leading to symptoms such as erectile dysfunction and infertility.
A new study developed a machine-learning algorithm to predict opioid overdose risk among Medicare beneficiaries with at least one opioid prescription. The model outperformed traditional statistical models in identifying subgroups of patients at similar risk of overdosing, especially those with low risk.
A clinical trial assessing the safety of experimental compound ANS-6637 has begun in healthy adults at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. The trial will evaluate how the compound affects opioid use disorder and provide groundwork for future studies to develop effective treatments for cravings, a major barrier to sobriety.
This analysis of US outpatient prescribing records reveals a two-to-three-fold variation in opioid prescribing metrics among states, with significant implications for policy and public health. Researchers suggest that this data can inform state-specific laws, policies, and interventions to address opioid-related problems.
Researchers at WashU Medicine developed a pain killer that blocks kappa opioid receptors to restore motivation in rodents. The compound dampens the negative emotions associated with pain without causing euphoria, offering a potential approach to less addictive pain treatment.
A study by WVU researchers finds that 70% of West Virginia teachers report an increase in students impacted by substance use at home, but only 10% feel confident in supporting these students. The study highlights the need for additional training and support for teachers to address the downstream effects of the opioid crisis on children.
A new study found a 54% drop in monthly opioid prescriptions for patients who had never used opioids or been off them for six months. However, some clinicians continued to prescribe at concerning dosages and lengths, raising concerns about undertreatment and high-risk prescribing.
The opioid crisis is expanding globally, with Norway, Sweden, and Denmark reporting a surge in prescription opioid prescriptions for chronic non-cancer pain. The study highlights the need to curtail the use of strong painkillers like oxycodone, which can lead to overdose deaths.
Complete surgical removal of the thyroid gland improved symptoms in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis, including profound fatigue, poor sleep quality, and muscle tenderness. Thyroidectomy also normalized serum antithyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies, providing a more effective treatment option for these patients.
A study of over 467,000 patients found that 30,865 developed persistent opioid use after surgery, while 10,487 experienced prolonged opioid use. Patients filling prescriptions for opioids shortly before or after surgery were more likely to have persistent and prolonged use.
Emergency department visits by people aged 65 and older with opioid misuse more than tripled between 2006 and 2014. Opioid misuse is associated with chronic conditions, increased injury risk, and higher rates of alcohol dependence and mental health diagnoses.
A new Michigan Medicine study found that long-term opioid use by one or more family members was associated with persistent opioid use by adolescents prescribed opioids after common surgical and dental procedures. The research highlights the potential risks of young adults continuing opioid prescriptions long after their surgeries.
A study of over 346,000 patients found that those with a family member using opioids long-term were more likely to develop persistent opioid use after first-time prescriptions for surgical or dental procedures. Persistent opioid use was seen in 4.1% of patients with a long-term family opioid user compared to 2.4% without.
A recent Ohio University study found that American hospitals have seen a decline in opioid abuse treatment programs, despite the growing opioid epidemic. The study analyzed data from 3,365 acute-care hospitals and found that many hospitals dropped these programs between 2010 and 2015.
Researchers found that most individuals misusing prescription opioids also use cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana or hard drugs. Those who misuse multiple substances have a greater risk of behavioral problems, mental health issues and treatment needs.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that the FDA and manufacturers failed to review prescribing records to prevent inappropriate use of potentially lethal fentanyl products. Despite a monitoring program in place, widespread misuse was discovered among cancer patients.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that driving while on prescription opioids significantly increases the risk of fatal motor vehicle crashes. The study analyzed data from over 18,000 fatal car crashes and found that drivers who tested positive for prescription opioids were more likely to be involved in fatal crashes.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have made a breakthrough in developing a blood test that can objectively determine the severity of pain in patients. The test, led by psychiatrist Alexander Niculescu, uses biomarkers found in the blood to match with potential treatment options.
Four articles examine racial disparities in opioid prescribing and overdose deaths, as well as county-level prescribing patterns in the US. The studies reveal significant differences in prescription rates and overdose fatality rates among various populations, highlighting pressing public health concerns.
A Stanford University School of Medicine investigation discovered that common opioids are less effective for patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for depression. This interaction may lead to reduced pain relief and increased risk of opioid abuse.
A new study estimates that 3.9 million US adults misused prescription opioids annually, with risk factors including co-occurring substance use disorders and psychological distress. Prescribers should be vigilant about potential misuse among patients prescribed potent opioid medications for long-term use.
The HEROES program, launched in 2018, provides comprehensive treatment for opioid abusers and offers assertive outreach to those struggling with addiction. The program has seen success with nearly 150 patients remaining drug-free for over 30 days.
Researchers found no significant increase in opioid-involved fatal crashes in Maryland from 2006 to 2017. A new approach defined by limiting analysis to those who died at the scene with opioids in their systems versus those who died later revealed this steady trend.
A study suggests that only about 10 percent of people who had non-fatal opioid overdoses in West Virginia received treatment in the aftermath. This missed opportunity to prevent future fatal overdoses is particularly concerning given the state's high overdose death rate.
Higher rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) were found in US counties with high unemployment and clinician shortages. NAS rates often peaked in rural, remote areas, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to address these disparities.
Researchers studying opioid addiction effects on bones are exploring how it impacts microscopic bone structures used to estimate age-at-death. Opioids upset the balance of bone remodeling towards more destruction and less formation of bone, leading to severely compromised age-at-death estimates.
Research from Vanderbilt University Medical Center found a significant association between long-term unemployment and higher rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome. Rural counties plagued by unemployment had significantly higher rates of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome compared to urban areas.
A study of people who inject drugs found a significant increase in the risk of infective endocarditis, a serious infection of the heart lining, possibly linked to increasing use of hydromorphone. The risk rose from 13.4 to 35.1 admissions per three months between 2011 and 2015.