Research on opioids, addiction, and treatment. Covers traditional care practices, opioid treatment in pregnancy, illicit fentanyl, and treatment disparities.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that US hospitals have significantly varying rates of opioid prescribing, with some discharging up to 20% of patients with new prescriptions. Short-term prescriptions can lead to long-term use and potentially abuse.
In the first year of two Florida laws aimed at reducing opioid prescriptions, the state's top prescribers wrote significantly fewer pain medication prescriptions, with a 6.2% drop in volume and 5.1% decrease in patients. Despite this, most physicians did not change their prescribing patterns.
A study of 574 patients undergoing knee or hip replacement surgery found that 30% were taking opioids prior to surgery, with 35% continuing to take them six months later. High-dose opioids and higher pain scores on the day of surgery were associated with persistent opioid use.
Millions of Americans take long-term opioid medications to manage chronic pain, but transitioning away can be complex and anxiety-provoking. However, study participants reported improved quality of life after the transition, highlighting the importance of intensive support from family and healthcare providers.
New research suggests that more time spent by parents with their newborns during treatment eases withdrawal symptoms and shortens hospital stays. The study found that skin-to-skin contact plays a role in reducing NAS symptoms, supporting the importance of parental engagement in care.
A new study suggests that a single half-hour session with a trained therapist during an ER visit can motivate people to reduce their use of prescription opioid painkillers and lower their risk of overdose. The study found a significant reduction in risky behaviors among those who received the intervention, compared to those who did not.
A recent study found that 74% of fentanyl patch prescriptions were not safe due to insufficient prior opioid exposure. The prescribing guidelines for the 50 µg/h dose are often not followed, especially among patients over 65, who are at a higher risk of adverse outcomes.
A new editorial emphasizes the need for proper pain assessment and opioid prescribing to balance treatment effectiveness with addiction risks. Experts call for physicians to speak out as a voice of reason in their communities, advocating for safe and effective pain relief when medically indicated.
A report by an expert panel highlights the need for new approaches to tackle the US opioid epidemic, including multimodal pain management and optimizing health outcomes. The panel also emphasizes the importance of collaboration between healthcare providers, patient advocates, and legislators to address this growing public health issue.
Two studies found that patients who reduced their opioid use prior to joint replacement surgery had improved patient satisfaction and outcomes, fewer complications, and a reduced need for post-surgical opioids. Patients with chronic opioid use were more likely to experience prolonged pain and higher rates of post-operative complications.
A study from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that monthly monitoring and support from pain specialists increased PCP confidence in prescribing opioids, improved patient compliance, and enhanced communication between practitioners. The research highlights the benefits of careful monitoring and pain management support within primary c...
A clinical trial found that modulating the endogenous opioid system improves serotonin-targeting antidepressant therapy effectiveness in patients with persistent depression. The combination drug ALKS-5461 produced significant symptom improvement, with lower doses showing stronger effects.
Drs. D'Onofrio and Fiellin's study found that ED-initiated buprenorphine treatment significantly increased successful addiction treatment initiation and reduced opioid use outcomes among opioid-dependent patients. The study's results suggest a promising intervention for addressing opioid dependence in general medical settings.
Researchers found that guideline-concordant care, including mental health services and substance abuse treatment, can significantly reduce the risk of death for patients on opioid painkillers. Patients who received these services were 50% less likely to die within six months.
Researchers at the National Addiction Centre criticize the widespread use of improvised nasal naloxone kits without testing and regulatory approval. The kits have been shown to have limited absorption rates, with only 4% of naloxone being absorbed when administered nasally.
The report reveals that high-income western countries and regions are driving the increase in opioid use, while poorer nations face significant barriers to access including affordability, lack of awareness, and onerous regulations
A recent perspective recommends individualized care through careful benefit-risk assessments and education to address the prescription opioid-misuse epidemic. Clinicians face challenges in managing severe chronic pain due to limited tools and reimbursement systems favoring medication-only treatment.
A recent study found that medical provider training, new clinic policies, and tapering opioid use can significantly reduce the level of opioid medication used by patients. However, women had less success with the tapering approach. The research also highlighted the need for close collaboration between doctors, pharmacists, and patients...
A University of Alberta study found that patients without opioid prescriptions experienced improved physical functioning and reduced disability compared to those who received opioid treatment for neuropathic pain. The research suggests a graded approach to physical activity may help improve function despite chronic pain.
A recent study published in Annals of Family Medicine has found that long-term opioid use is associated with an increased risk of developing new-onset depression. The research, led by Dr. Jeffrey Scherrer, analyzed data from over 70,000 patients and found that longer duration of opioid analgesic use was linked to new-onset depression.
A study by Boston Medical Center found that nearly 3,000 individuals with chronic pain who experienced a nonfatal opioid overdose continued to be prescribed opioids, with 70% receiving prescriptions from the same provider. Patients who took high dosages were twice as likely to have another overdose at two years of follow-up.
After a nonfatal overdose, nearly 3,000 patients continued to be prescribed opioids, with 70% receiving prescriptions from the same provider who wrote them before. Patients taking high dosages were twice as likely to experience another overdose after discontinuing opioid use.
University of Toronto scientists have identified a specific channel in the brain where opioids interfere with breathing, leading to dangerous consequences. Researchers found that mice without this channel breathed normally even under opioid overdose conditions.
The Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital have been awarded grants to integrate substance abuse screening and intervention into their curriculum. The training program aims to expand screening and intervention for opioid overdose deaths in Rhode Island, which has seen a rise in opioid-related deaths. The program will provide traini...
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that the majority of opioid prescriptions are distributed by large numbers of general practitioners, not just a small group of specialists. The top 10 percent of opioid prescribers account for 57 percent of prescriptions, similar to the overall prescribing pattern for all drugs.
Scientists have discovered a potential solution to chronic pain by identifying the key ingredient responsible for painlessness in people born with a rare genetic mutation. By combining low-dose opioids with Nav1.7 blockers, researchers hope to replicate the effect and develop new treatments for millions of patients worldwide.
A new study found that patients who undergo hip-replacement surgery experience a surge in pain medication use before and immediately after surgery, but this trend reverses in the long term. Medication use for insomnia and anxiety also increases before surgery and decreases afterward.
Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus discovered that patients given opioid pain medication on discharge had a 25% higher risk of becoming chronic users. The study found that medical patients were more likely to progress to chronic use compared to surgical patients.
A new study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that commercial electronic health record opioid warning systems often fire off unnecessary alerts, compromising patient safety. The alert fatigue issue highlights the need to refine these systems to highlight only clinically significant alerts.
Deaths from cardiovascular disease among people with rheumatoid arthritis are declining, according to a new study. Researchers found that efforts to prevent and diagnose heart problems may be paying off for patients with the chronic condition.
Researchers found significant variation in opioid prescription rates across BC health areas, with highest volumes correlating to overdose deaths. The study suggests that changing prescribing practices and monitoring sales can help address the issue.
Risk assessments can help identify patients most likely to abuse opioids by reviewing family history, lifestyle, and environment. Clinically useful guides like the Opioid Risk Tool offer good predictive value for physicians.
A study of over 120,000 adults in Ontario found that 70% of those living at home were given a new opioid prescription between 2003 and 2012. Older adults with COPD, especially those in long-term care homes, were at risk of excessive opioid use, which can lead to falls, fractures, and other side effects.
Researchers found that manipulating self-experienced pain affects empathy for pain in others through the endogenous opioid system. The study suggests empathy relies on simulation and is grounded in our own experiences, which may explain why feelings of others can affect us so immediately.
The ESMO Global Opioid Policy Initiative reveals disparities in opioid access across the globe, with the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia showing limited access to essential pain relieving medication. The addition of new Designated Centres brings polices tailored to patient needs, promoting a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found racial disparities in pain management among children with appendicitis in emergency departments, with black children receiving less pain medication and opioids. The study analyzed data from 2003 to 2010 and suggested that more research is needed to understand why such disparities exist.
A Boston University School of Medicine program educates clinicians on safe opioid prescribing, resulting in improved knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practice. The program has empowered clinicians to make informed decisions about opioids for chronic pain sufferers.
A recent study analyzed prescription claims data in Florida and Georgia, finding modest decreases in opioid prescribing and use after implementation of the state's pill mill law and prescription monitoring program. The reductions were most pronounced among patients and providers with high levels of opioid use at baseline.
A study suggests that two Florida laws, enacted to combat prescription drug abuse, led to a small but significant decrease in opioid prescriptions. The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program and 'pill mill' law measures reduced the volume of opioids prescribed by 2.5% and the dosage strength by 5.6%, equivalent to 750,000 pills per month.
Researchers at Stanford University have genetically engineered yeast to produce hydrocodone and other opioid painkillers, enabling a faster and potentially less expensive way to produce plant-based medicines. The breakthrough could lower costs and increase access to pain medications for 5.5 billion people worldwide.
Researchers successfully synthesized thebaine and hydrocodone in yeast, offering a novel microbial-based production process for opioids. The breakthrough could significantly reduce production time and potentially create a new source of pain relief worldwide.
A $1.3 million grant from AHRQ supports a demonstration project to track and analyze data on pharmacies' naloxone rescue kit distribution to develop best practices for a national program. The study aims to increase naloxone distribution in Massachusetts and Rhode Island to combat opioid addiction and overdose.
Patients with depression or anxiety experience 50% less pain improvement, 75% more opioid abuse when prescribed opioids. Identifying psychiatric disorders early can improve pain relief and reduce opioid abuse risk.
A study by WSU researchers found that an online program can help people with chronic non-cancer pain manage their symptoms and reduce opioid use. Participants who used the program reported increased confidence and positive thinking, and made progress towards reducing or eliminating pain.
New research finds that equipping law enforcement officers with naloxone does not raise their risk of legal liability. The study concludes that officers should be authorized to administer naloxone to reduce opioid-related deaths and increase overdose rescue times.
A new program at Johns Hopkins Hospital implemented consistent use of experienced medical teams, preemptive antibiotics, and early patient mobilization to reduce complications and accelerate recovery in colorectal surgery. The approach resulted in a significant reduction in hospital stays, surgical infections, blood clots, and costs.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that clinicians are hesitant to prescribe naloxone, a life-saving medication for opioid overdose, due to concerns about its effects and potential risks. Despite its promise as a tool to prevent deaths, logistical challenges and clinician reluctance hinder widespread adoption.
A study of US and international orthopaedic surgery patients found that despite receiving more pain medication, American patients reported higher worst pain scores than international patients. This suggests that the relationship between pain medication and pain perception may be complex.
Researchers found no significant differences in co-occurring substance use between medical cannabis patients using prescription pain medication and those who did not. Medical cannabis may be a safer alternative for chronic pain management, but communication between doctor and patient is key.
A literature review highlights the alarming rise of opioid use in the US, with orthopaedic surgeons as the third highest prescribers. The study emphasizes the need for comprehensive risk assessment and patient-physician relationship trust to avoid overprescribing opioids.
A randomized trial by Yale researchers found that patients given buprenorphine in the emergency department were more likely to engage in addiction treatment and reduce illicit opioid use. They also had fewer resources used, compared to those who received only referrals or brief interventions.
A study published in Cell Reports reveals that pain signaling pathways influence the sensitivity of opioid receptors on neuron surfaces. The findings may help develop non-addictive pain management drugs.
A new Penn Medicine study found that patients seen in emergency departments have misperceptions about opioid dependence and want more information about their pain management options. Patients desire better communication from physicians about their pain management options, along with discussion of the risks of opioid dependence.
A study published in PAIN journal reports that 20-30% of opioid analgesic drugs prescribed for chronic pain are misused, while the rate of opioid addiction is approximately 10%. The researchers note variability in rates across studies and question whether the benefits of opioids for chronic pain outweigh the consequences.
Researchers found altered opioid neurotransmission in obese individuals, with reduced opioid receptors in the brain. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms of overeating and obesity, but its findings do not indicate whether the changes are a cause or consequence of obesity.
A new study found that people with depression release less of a natural pain and stress-reducing chemical called natural opioids when rejected, prolonging the pain of social rejection. In contrast, they experience relatively better feelings when someone they're interested in likes them back, but only momentarily.
A study by Saint Louis University found that patients taking higher doses of opioids for chronic pain were more likely to experience an increase in depression. The researchers hope their findings will inform better pain management strategies and improve outcomes for patients.
A new study by UMass Chan Medical School found that opioids administered in the emergency room do not influence patient satisfaction scores. Factors such as wait time and communication play a greater role, according to the study's authors.
A National Institutes of Health white paper found little to no evidence for the effectiveness of opioid drugs in treating long-term chronic pain, despite their widespread use. The study's findings suggest that many studies used to justify prescription were poorly conducted or of insufficient duration.
The NIH panel recommends a more tailored approach to treating the estimated 100 million Americans with chronic pain. A combination of evidence-based and multidisciplinary approaches is needed to balance patient perspectives, desired outcomes, and safety.