Articles tagged with Opioids
Researchers used machine learning technology to identify entities illegally selling prescription opioids online. The study found 1,778 tweets marketing controlled substances, with 90% including hyperlinks to purchase sites.
A study finds that while HCV screening is common among young adults who use prescription opioids recreationally, the follow-up measures needed to stop the spread of the virus are significantly less so. Only a small percentage received confirmatory testing, specialty care, or education on how not to transmit the virus.
A new study found that patients undergoing urological surgery are at risk of opioid dependence or overdose, with younger age, depression, and tobacco use being key risk factors. Urologists urge a balanced approach to prescribing opioids to minimize risks and maximize patient safety.
Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland found no association between long-term opioid use and Alzheimer's disease. Despite this, they highlight potential adverse effects such as drowsiness and addiction, suggesting restricted use for severe pain conditions.
A new study found that nearly 9% of bariatric surgical patients continue to use prescription opioids one year postoperatively, compared to 6% in general surgical populations. Surgeons must identify high-risk patients and adjust prescribing practices to prevent addiction.
The opioid epidemic has reached crisis proportions, with nearly 90 opioid overdose deaths per day in the US. Anesthesiologists and pain medicine physicians can take a leading role in identifying and solving the issues by using non-opioid drugs and emerging treatments.
A national analysis shows that opioid abuse remains disturbingly high, with nearly 1 in 7 Americans abusing prescription opioids. Experts urge caution and education to combat the epidemic.
The study found that opioid use decreased from 1 in 4 to 1 in 12 among hip and knee replacement patients between 2006 and 2014. Multimodal therapy increased, especially in small and medium-sized hospitals, leading to reduced opioid use and improved pain management.
A study published in Neurology found that prochlorperazine was more effective than hydromorphone in treating acute migraine, with 60% of patients experiencing sustained headache relief. The study also found no significant difference in opioid addiction rates between the two groups.
A new report from The Lancet estimates that 61 million people globally need palliative care and pain relief, with most in low- and middle-income countries lacking access to essential medicines. Immediate-release morphine costs just pennies but is inaccessible to over 90% of those who need it.
A new study found that gabapentin co-use with opioids increases the risk of fatal opioid overdose. The study analyzed data from Ontario, Canada and found that patients prescribed both gabapentin and opioids were more likely to die from an opioid overdose.
A new NIH-funded study aims to develop evidence-based treatments for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, a condition affecting newborns exposed to opioids during pregnancy. The Advancing Clinical Trials in Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (ACT NOW) project will evaluate treatment options and develop research protocols.
The article highlights the risks of opioid addiction after plastic surgery, citing a study that found 4.7% of US population aberrantly used prescription opioids in 2015. Plastic surgeons are advised to screen patients for risk factors and refer them to addiction specialists or transitional pain services.
Researchers analyzed opioid prescription data from the Department of Defense Military Health System Data Repository to identify optimal opioid pain medication prescription length following surgery. The findings suggest that prescription lengths may need to be extended beyond seven days for certain procedures, recognizing that up to 40%...
A study analyzing over 200,000 patients undergoing common surgical procedures found varying optimal opioid pain prescription lengths, with general surgery at 4-9 days, women's health at 4-13 days, and musculoskeletal at 6-15 days. The findings aim to balance adequate pain treatment with minimizing medication complications.
Researchers found ED opioid prescriptions were 44% less likely to exceed a three-day supply and 46% less likely to progress to long-term use. Patients in non-ED settings received higher doses, with one in five exceeding CDC guidelines, leading to a higher risk of long-term use.
Emergency room patients prescribed opioids are less likely to become long-term users, with prescriptions exceeding 7 days decreasing by 84-91% in ER settings. This study suggests that adherence to CDC guidelines may contribute to reduced opioid misuse.
A new analysis reveals that US dialysis patients are at high risk of early death, discontinuation of dialysis, and hospitalization due to excessive opioid use. The study found that more than 20% of dialysis patients received chronic opioid prescriptions, three times the rate in the general Medicare population.
Opioid-related problems in hospitalized children increased significantly over nine years, with white children being most affected. Adverse events included opioid withdrawal, constipation, altered mental status, and cardiac arrest.
The PCORI Board has approved $97.9 million to fund 11 studies comparing different approaches to improving care for conditions like opioid misuse, multiple sclerosis, and sickle cell disease. These studies aim to provide evidence-based information to inform healthcare decisions.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that excessive sedentary time, regardless of exercise habits, significantly increases the risk of death. Taking regular movement breaks can help mitigate this effect.
Patients in a collaborative care model received more substance abuse treatment and reported higher abstinence rates compared to those receiving usual primary care services. The study suggests that integrating treatment into primary medical care can increase access to evidence-based substance use treatment.
A new study found a significant association between opioid use and non-adherence to hormone therapy among breast cancer patients. The study highlights the challenges of managing chronic pain in cancer survivors, who often face 10 years of treatment.
A study found that tweets about opioid misuse on Twitter were strongly correlated with state-by-state information from the National Surveys on Drug Usage and Health. The research used a list of keywords to extract relevant tweets, which were then clustered based on semantic distance and verified by medical toxicologists.
The American Chemical Society has unveiled its annual 'Talented 12' list, showcasing young scientists working on world-changing projects. The researchers are developing alternative fuel sources, novel cancer treatments and innovative materials for everyday products.
Researchers found that patients of all races receive opioids at similar rates as evidence-based medications, despite concerns about medication overuse and comorbidities. The study suggests that clinicians can improve treating migraine patients by adopting better prescribing practices.
Most events leading to sustained prescription opioid use were nonspecific diagnoses, such as lumbago, rather than hospital procedures. Spine and orthopedic disorders were common conditions associated with the initial opioid prescription.
Researchers have discovered a potent pain reliever, UKH-1114, that targets the sigma 2 receptor to alleviate neuropathic pain. The compound is as effective as gabapentin but works at a lower dose and longer duration, offering a potential alternative to opioids.
A study published in JAMA Network found that acupuncture and electrotherapy can potentially reduce and delay opioid use after total knee replacement. The analysis of drug-free interventions revealed moderate evidence supporting the effectiveness of these non-pharmacological treatments.
A Yale University study found that ED-initiated buprenorphine treatment was the most cost-effective approach for individuals screening positive for opioid addiction. The treatment resulted in lower healthcare costs and better patient outcomes compared to referral alone or brief intervention with facilitated referral.
The PCORI Board approved $10 million for two studies to compare strategies for reducing unsafe opioid prescribing and improving pain management. The studies will focus on Medicaid payer strategies and healthcare provider interventions to expand non-opioid approaches, with the goal of providing evidence-based information to improve pati...
Researchers found that first-time buyers care only about finding trustworthy sellers, with trust remaining their primary concern. The core group of repeat buyers and sellers is harder to shut down, and disrupting it may be the best way to interrupt the cycle.
A new study reveals a 34% increase in overdose-related ICU admissions between 2009 and 2015, with average cost of care rising by 58%. The opioid epidemic has made patients sicker and killed more people despite intensive care, researchers say.
A new study by Drexel University found that opioid users are 50% more likely to receive treatment and have it paid for by insurance under Obamacare. The study analyzed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, showing a significant increase in access to care and insurance coverage since the ACA's implementation.
A new study found that nearly one in five family medicine physicians accepted payments from pharmaceutical companies related to opioids, while anesthesiologists received the most total annual payments. The study suggests that pharmaceutical companies may have a stronger hold on how doctors prescribe opioids than previously known.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that patients used significantly fewer opioid tablets than prescribed after inguinal hernia surgery, with 60% relying on nonopioid medications. The results suggest a need to reassess prescribing practices and consider patient experiences to determine optimal medication amounts.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System are conducting a five-year study to test whether medical marijuana reduces opioid use among adults with chronic pain. The study will enroll 250 HIV-positive and HIV-negative adults who use opioids and have received certification for medical marijuana use.
A new study found that cancer survivors have a higher rate of opioid prescription use compared to non-survivors. The study analyzed data from over 8,600 adults and found an average of 7.7 opioid prescriptions filled over 36 months among survivors.
The University of Michigan Injury Center has received $2.5 million from the CDC to continue its research on preventing injuries such as opioid overdoses, concussion, and motor vehicle crashes. The center aims to reduce injury by publishing innovative research and translating it into practice for local communities.
A study found that between 42-71% of prescribed opioids went unused among patients, highlighting the need for personalized pain management. Patients often store prescription opioids improperly and fail to dispose of unused pills safely.
The study found a substantial increase in neonatal abstinence syndrome among infants whose mothers were prescribed opioids and psychotropic medications. The absolute risk was highest among women exposed to gabapentin, with concurrent exposure to psychotropic medications increasing severity of withdrawal symptoms.
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that more than two-thirds of patients reported unused prescription opioids after surgery, highlighting an important source for nonmedical use. The study also revealed low rates of safe storage and disposal practices, contributing to opioid-related injuries and deaths.
A UC survey of Ohio hospital administrators and ED physicians shows majority support for state guidelines on opioid prescribing, but highlights implementation barriers such as navigating prescription monitoring software. The report aims to inform a coordinated response to address the opioid epidemic in Ohio.
A substantial number of US adults reported misusing prescription opioids, with 11.5 million admitting to misuse and 1.9 million having a use disorder. The majority of these individuals had low income or behavioral health problems, while relief from physical pain was the most common motivation for misuse.
A 12-week mindfulness-based parenting intervention improved parenting quality among mothers in medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Women who experienced high levels of childhood trauma benefited most from attendance, with clinically significant increases in parenting quality.
Researchers found that mindfulness and hypnotic suggestion significantly reduced acute pain levels in hospital patients, with patients experiencing a 29% and 23% reduction in pain respectively. These brief mind-body therapies also led to a significant decrease in the perceived need for opioid medication.
A 12-week yoga program significantly improves disability scores and reduces pain intensity in military veterans with chronic low back pain. Notably, these benefits persist even after six months, suggesting long-term potential for yoga as a non-drug treatment.
Patients taking opioids prior to ACL surgery are more likely to be on pain medications longer, according to a recent study. The research found that those who were filling opioid prescriptions before surgery were 10 times more likely to be using them five months after surgery.
A team-based primary care model, TOPCARE, has been shown to decrease prescription opioid use among patients with chronic pain by 40 percent. This study, conducted in four primary care practices, found that TOPCARE patients had lower opioid doses and were more likely to adhere to AAPM guidelines.
A randomized clinical trial found tramadol extended-release to suppress opioid withdrawal more effectively than clonidine, and similarly to buprenorphine. The study suggests tramadol ER as a promising medication for opioid use disorder treatment, but notes the need for further research.
Dose reduction in long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain improves pain, function, and quality of life. Multidisciplinary pain programs incorporating behavioral interventions can enhance patient outcomes.
A national survey of rural physicians found significant barriers to prescribing buprenorphine for opioid use disorder, including time constraints and lack of mental health support services. The study calls for tailored strategies to address these barriers and support physicians in providing Buprenorphine Maintenance Treatment.
Patients with opioid use disorder on buprenorphine are at significantly higher risk of death when in and out of treatment. The study found a 2.6 times increased risk of mortality compared to individuals without addiction issues during the same time period.
A family physician shares her experience with patient denial and anger towards opioid prescription limits, but finds healing through medication-assisted treatment training. She urges healthcare professionals to recognize opioid addiction and support one another in providing treatment.
US medical expenditures increased by 47% between 1996-1997 and 2011-2012, driven largely by prescription drug use. Expenditures rose in most categories except primary care physicians and home health care, with the largest increases seen in specialty physicians, emergency department visits, and prescribed medications.
A recent study found no association between opioid intake and disability, satisfaction with surgery, or pain management at 5-8 months post-surgery. However, patients using opioids reported more pain with activity and catastrophic thinking, leading to anxiety and limited mobility.
Researchers found that new opioid use among older adults with COPD is associated with a higher risk of coronary artery disease-related death. The study suggests that opioids may have negative effects on the heart, including lower blood oxygen levels and increased inflammatory factors.
A study of post-surgical patients found that those who received psychological support showed significant reductions in opioid use, depression, and daily disruptions due to pain. Patients learned coping skills grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, promoting mindfulness and acceptance of difficult experiences.
A recent study from the University of Michigan and Dartmouth found that over half of opioid prescriptions are written for adults with mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. The research highlights the concerning trend of vulnerable patients with mental illness being prescribed opioids.
The US has renewed funding for Brown University's addiction center, emphasizing efforts to address the growing opioid epidemic. The $3.8 million grant will support training programs for healthcare professionals and community-based organizations.