Articles tagged with Opioids
Researchers discovered a significant rise in infective endocarditis among Ontarians who inject drugs, with hydromorphone prescriptions linked to the increased risk. The study found that reusing injection equipment, common among opioid users, allows for bacterial contamination and increases the chances of heart infection.
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.
A new US study found that prescription opioids are negatively affecting labor force participation and unemployment rates nationwide. The study discovered a strong adverse effect of opioids on labor markets, with a 10% increase in opioid prescriptions per capita leading to a 0.6 percentage point drop in labor force participation rates.
A new 'Cascade of Care' framework aims to address gaps in addiction care and monitor treatment outcomes for individuals with opioid use disorder. The model identifies key stages through which people must progress to increase the chance of reaching remission, and emphasizes prevention services targeting populations by risk level.
The University of Cincinnati design team has created a naloxone-dispensing smart device called AntiOD, which is designed to educate the public on signs of overdose and how to administer naloxone. The device will be installed in semi-public places with step-by-step instructions for bystanders.
Research published in Addiction found that US doctors receiving direct payments from opioid manufacturers prescribe more opioids than those who receive no such payments. The study analyzed data from over 63,000 physicians who received opioid-related promotional payments and compared them to over 802,000 physicians with no such payments.
A study found that increased opioid marketing to physicians was associated with higher prescribing rates and subsequent overdose deaths. The analysis, which analyzed industry marketing data and national opioid prescribing and death data, reported $40 million in targeted marketing efforts across over 2,200 counties.
A new study published in Sleep found a 250% increase in Americans taking opioids with benzodiazepines or Z-drugs between 1999 and 2014. This alarming trend is associated with increased risks of serious adverse outcomes, including breathing problems and death.
The new data reveal an estimated 2.3 million people living with Hepatitis C infection in the U.S. between 2013 and 2016, with a high burden in the West and Appalachian states. HepVu's interactive maps provide a comprehensive picture of the disease's impact on states to inform researchers and public health decision-makers.
CHOP surgeons found that opioids were often overprescribed for children's elbow fractures, with patients using less than 25% of the prescribed amount. Most patients stopped taking opioid medication after a short period, with some opting for over-the-counter pain relievers instead.
A study reveals GPs in poorer areas prescribe more opioids for pain, with smoking, obesity, and depression linked to increased prescribing. Chronic pain management is a challenge, with limited capacity for counseling and potential risks outweighing benefits.
Concurrent tobacco use is associated with a higher likelihood of receiving prescriptions for opioids combined with muscle relaxants and benzodiazepines. This increased co-prescription may lead to prescription drug addiction due to the heightened risk of overdose.
The Second Chance app uses sonar to monitor breathing rate and detect opioid overdose symptoms. It has been shown to accurately identify overdoses 90% of the time and can track movement and breathing from a distance.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that prescribed opioids increase the risk of pneumonia in individuals with and without HIV. Patients taking medium or high doses of opioid painkillers were at greater risk for pneumonia, particularly those with immunosuppressive properties.
The opioid crisis roadmap neglects significant data on sex and gender differences, which are crucial for developing effective interventions. Women experience distinct pain and addiction patterns compared to men, and are more likely to relapse and face greater functional impairment.
Researchers argue that the opioid crisis requires a comprehensive approach, building on lessons from the AIDS epidemic. A five-point action plan is proposed to address cultural, social, economic, and structural barriers to care.
The study analyzed data from over 69,000 ED visits for patients under 18 and found a decrease in opioid prescribing rates from 2006-2010 to 2011-2015. Regional and demographic differences were observed, with higher rates among white patients and those aged 13-17, as well as lower rates among Medicaid recipients.
A new study by Boston Medical Center found that patients are less likely to disclose drug use earlier in treatment, but urine drug testing can help identify and engage patients with positive test results. The study suggests developing interventions for patients with positive urine tests to keep them engaged in care.
A study combining 96 randomized clinical trials found that opioids had small improvements in pain and physical functioning compared to placebo, but also an increased risk of vomiting. Nonopioid alternative pain medications showed similar benefits with lower risks.
A recent study published in JAMA found that opioids provide only modest benefits for patients with chronic non-cancer pain. The research suggests that while opioids may help alleviate symptoms, their use comes with a high risk of side effects and addiction.
A new study by Stanford Medicine and Duke University finds that early physical therapy can reduce the risk of long-term opioid use by 7-16% for patients with musculoskeletal pain. Physical therapy is also associated with a 5-10% reduction in opioid dosage for those who do use them.
A study of nearly 89,000 U.S. adults found that early physical therapy was associated with lower opioid use for shoulder, knee, and low back pain, but not neck pain. This suggests that early physical therapy may play a role in reducing the risk of long-term opioid use in patients with musculoskeletal pain.
Researchers have developed monoclonal antibodies effective against several synthetic opioids, including fentanyl and carfentanil. The vaccine could help combat opioid addiction and reduce overdose deaths by blocking the analgesic effects of these potent drugs.
Researchers are developing a nonopioid drug, ML351, to treat certain types of chronic pain. The drug targets a novel signaling pathway responsible for chronic pain development and has shown promise in preclinical studies.
A new study found that an ultrarestrictive opioid prescribing strategy was associated with fewer pills dispensed after surgery, without changes in postoperative pain scores or complications. The protocol reduced opioid pill dispensing by 72-85% for patients undergoing different types of surgery.
Researchers explore novel approaches to monitoring opioid use in municipal wastewater, offering a rapid, cost-effective solution to supplement existing data. The method can identify hot spots of drug use and predict shifts in consumption patterns, aiding in the development of effective intervention programs.
Patients undergoing cardiac surgery with persistent opioid use have a higher rate of complications, longer hospital stays, and increased costs compared to those without opioid use. The study found no significant difference in mortality rates between the two groups.
Despite unmet need for treatment of substance use disorders, telemedicine use for this condition remains woefully underused. The study found that telehealth visits for substance use disorder accounted for only 1.4 percent of all telehealth visits, highlighting a significant gap in access to care.
A study by researchers at Idaho State University found that a quarter of chronic opioid users in Idaho were at risk for overdose from unsafe combinations of prescriptions. Pharmacists are urged to facilitate communication between prescribers and educate patients on the risks of these dangerous drug combinations.
High-dose opioids are widely prescribed for chronic pain, but can cause self-perpetuating therapy and withdrawal. The Canadian government should recall these formulations to regulate dangerous prescribing practices. This would help fuel the opioid crisis, particularly among patients with addiction.
An observational study found a higher risk of subsequent opioid use and abuse among patients exposed to opioids prescribed by dental providers. The study, examining outpatient opioid prescriptions for patients aged 16-25, suggests increased scrutiny is needed during third-molar extractions and postoperative care
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that teens and young adults who receive their initial opioid prescriptions from dentists are at increased risk for opioid addiction in the following year. The study, which examined nearly 15,000 patients, found that those who received dental opioid prescriptions were more likely to c...
A new study found that amphetamine and opioid use in pregnancy increased substantially over the last decade, particularly in rural counties. Amphetamine-affected births doubled, while the rate of opioid use quadrupled, resulting in higher risks of severe maternal morbidity and mortality.
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that opioid prescriptions for children and adolescents have been steadily decreasing since 2012. The analysis of data between 2004 and 2017 showed a significant decline in outpatient opioid prescription rates, with a notable decrease in hydrocodone bitartrate prescriptions.
A study of 73 adults with sickle cell disease found that even high-dose opioid treatment did not effectively manage pain in a subset of patients. The researchers emphasize the need for non-opioid pain relievers to address this challenge.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that strong opioids increase the risk of hip fractures in people with Alzheimer's disease. The risk was highest in the first two months of opioid use, and was significantly higher for moderate to strong opioids.
A Malaysian survey found that misconceptions about opioids affect pain control among cancer patients, with fears of addiction and immune system damage being the most common barriers. The study highlights the need for improved accessibility to pain relief treatments in low- and middle-income countries.
A new study reveals that adults identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual are more likely to misuse opioids than heterosexual counterparts. Women who identify as bisexual are particularly at increased risk, with twice the likelihood of misuse compared to other groups.
A study from the University of Eastern Finland found that one in five people with Alzheimer's disease use benzodiazepines and opioids concurrently. Prolonged use was linked to lung diseases, osteoporosis, and fractures.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed an algorithm that uses supercomputers to analyze genetic data, identifying genes linked to pain and opioid addiction. Meanwhile, a team from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory used deep learning methods to improve weather forecasting, leveraging high-performance computing and in...
Two studies found that fewer than 25% of California retail pharmacies dispense naloxone without a physician's prescription, and 69% of Texas chain pharmacies reported having the medication in stock. The studies aimed to assess naloxone accessibility after legislation allowed pharmacists to provide the antidote without a prescription.
Since 2012, prescription opioids dispensed to children and adolescents have decreased, with an average of 4 per 1,000 children receiving an outpatient opioid prescription in 2009-2012. Long-term opioid prescription use has also declined since the start of 2017.
A new computer tool has been developed to identify patients with chronic pulmonary embolism (PE) who can be safely treated at home. The tool uses a sensitive cardiac injury marker, troponin, to measure the severity of PE and predict patient outcomes.
A study of almost 2,400 patients in Michigan who underwent surgery found that more opioids were prescribed than used. Patients used about 27 percent of the opioids prescribed, with larger prescriptions associated with increased use.
A new study found that surgery patients often take less than half of the prescribed opioid pain medications, with prescription size being the most important factor. The study suggests that surgeons can reduce opioid prescriptions and improve patient safety by considering individual factors such as pain scores and operation intensity.
Researchers found that widely used naloxone nasal spray and injection products retain high potency and stability beyond their labeled expiration dates. This study suggests extending shelf-life could aid in increasing medication availability, particularly during the ongoing opioid epidemic.
A new study finds significant variation in opioid prescription rates and child removal rates among states, with some states experiencing a positive association between the two.
Researchers developed a new marker that can accurately detect cardiac injury, reducing the need for costly and invasive stress tests. The test uses high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) assays to measure troponin concentrations lower than conventional assays.
Preliminary research suggests opioid use increases risk of developing atrial fibrillation by 34 percent. Atrial fibrillation is a chaotic quivering of the heart's upper chambers, one of the leading causes of strokes.
A study found racial and ethnic differences in emergency pain relief for children with long bone fractures, with minority children more likely to receive pain medication but less likely to receive opioid analgesia. The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes the importance of consistent pain management for all pediatric patients.
The $1.5 million grant will allow Brown, RIDOC and partners to expand MAT treatment for high-risk individuals, addressing gaps in the existing program. Over three years, the team aims to treat over 300 additional Rhode Island residents with opioid use disorders.
UA pharmacologists aim to prevent opioid tolerance by targeting sphingosine-1-phosphate, a lipid that may induce opioid sensitivity. Fingolimod, an existing medication for multiple sclerosis, shows promise as a potential solution.
A study found that maternal opioid use disorder diagnoses are increasing among rural residents, with over half of these cases occurring in rural hospitals. Rural women with opioid use disorder are more likely to give birth in urban teaching hospitals, highlighting the need for resources in both rural and urban settings.
Adults with chronic kidney disease have a higher likelihood of receiving opioid prescriptions and using them, suggesting a link to the national opioid epidemic. Multiple comorbid conditions, including pain-causing and non-pain-related conditions, are associated with increased prescription opioid use in patients with CKD.
A recent study estimates that over 275,000 people in Massachusetts have opioid use disorder, with the prevalence increasing from 2.7% in 2011 to 4.6% in 2015. The study used linked public health data sets to provide a more accurate picture of the impact of opioids in the state.
A new clinical protocol called STOP Narcotics reduces post-operative opioid prescribing by 50%, while maintaining adequate pain control, and increases medication disposal. The study involved 416 patients undergoing general surgery and found significant reduction in opioid use and diversion.
A new protocol developed by Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital reduces opioid use after colorectal surgery, resulting in shorter hospital stays. The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol includes pre-emptive pain management, non-opioid general anesthesia, and postoperative programmed non-narcotic analgesics.
SLU scientist Daniela Salvemini is studying chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment and opioid addiction to develop new treatments. Her research aims to identify novel therapeutic approaches to mitigate chemo-brain and improve quality of life for cancer patients.
A new study reveals wide variation in benzodiazepine prescribing among primary care doctors, with some counties having three times the level of sedative prescribing as others. High-intensity prescribers tend to be high-intensity users of opioid painkillers and other high-risk medications.
Opioid-induced constipation affects 40-60% of patients taking chronic opioid therapy. A new AGA guideline recommends starting with traditional laxatives as first-line agents, followed by PAMORA drugs if symptoms persist. These treatments aim to improve bowel symptoms without compromising pain relief.