Articles tagged with Opioids
A new model shows that encampment sweeps, bans and move-along-orders contribute to 15-25% increase in deaths among people experiencing homelessness over a 10-year period. Involuntary displacement is linked to increased overdose deaths, hospitalizations, injection-related infections and hindered access to medications.
A simulation modeling study finds that involuntary displacement worsens overdose and hospitalizations, decreases treatment initiation, and contributes to deaths. The study projects substantial increases in morbidity and mortality over a 10-year period in cities with such displacements.
A study of 460,000 privately insured postpartum women found that those giving birth after March 2020 were more likely to fill potent opioid prescriptions. This increase was particularly notable among cesarean births, raising concerns about opioid misuse and overdose risk.
A recent clinical study found that an online e-health program helped more people with chronic pain reduce their opioid medications and pain intensity than a control group. The program, called Goalistics Chronic Pain Management, improved pain knowledge, confidence managing pain, and coping skills.
Researchers found that postpartum women prescribed opioids increased by 38%, with stronger prescriptions given during the pandemic. The study highlights concerns over potential opioid abuse among vulnerable women.
Researchers found that receipt of opioid use disorder-related telehealth services was associated with reduced risk for fatal drug overdoses. Additionally, medication from opioid treatment programs and buprenorphine in office-based settings also showed a protective effect.
Researchers have identified marijuana-derived compounds that can reverse fentanyl overdoses by reducing its binding to opioid receptors and boosting naloxone's effects. These compounds, derived from cannabidiol (CBD), demonstrate a synergistic effect when combined with naloxone.
Rates of naloxone prescriptions for high-risk individuals and co-prescribing with opioids rose in emergency departments from 2012 to 2019. Opioid prescribing guidelines made it easier for doctors to prescribe naloxone, which is highly effective at reversing opioid overdose effects.
A recent study has found a significant link between fibromyalgia and increased odds of exacerbation in pain-related opioid use disorder. Researchers surveyed 125 individuals living with both conditions, revealing that those with fibromyalgia were more likely to report worsening addiction symptoms due to chronic pain.
A new study from the University of Illinois Chicago found a substantial increase in crash fatalities in four states with legalized recreational cannabis, with an average 10% increase in motor vehicle accident deaths. The study suggests that investing in policies and public health initiatives may mitigate this harm.
A statewide effort in Michigan resulted in a 56% reduction in opioid prescriptions after six common operations and a 26% drop in persistent opioid use. The achievement surpassed national trends, driven by voluntary prescribing guidelines and surgical team involvement.
A statewide incentive program in Pennsylvania is associated with a 50% improvement in initiating medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder among Medicaid-enrolled patients. The study found that the program increased prescription fills for buprenorphine and substance use disorder treatment within a week of emergency departme...
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine will create a data infrastructure support center to assist innovation projects addressing opioid use disorder and pain management. The center will monitor real-time opioid overdose trends and inform prevention and treatment services.
Receiving buprenorphine after a nonfatal opioid overdose significantly lowers the risk of subsequent overdose death. The medication was associated with a 62% reduction in risk, highlighting the need for lifesaving treatment following these events. Current evidence shows low uptake of buprenorphine and other medication-assisted treatments.
Researchers found that peer support specialists with a shared life experience were most valued for providing emotional and housing/employment support, helping inmates recover from opioid use disorder. Participants appreciated the empathetic and trustworthy relationships established with their peer navigators.
A study found that having opioids at home increases the risk of overdose for those living with them, emphasizing the importance of proper disposal and education. Household prescription opioids are associated with a higher likelihood of overdose for others in the household, even if they don't have their own prescription.
Implementation of post-overdose programs in Massachusetts municipalities associated with a 6% lower annual opioid fatality rate and a 7% lower opioid-related emergency encounter rate compared to non-programmed areas. The study suggests that these programs offer a critical opportunity to address overdose among high-risk individuals.
A large Canadian study finds no association between maternal opioid prescription after delivery and adverse infant outcomes. Infants of opioid-using mothers were slightly more likely to visit an emergency department, but this difference was minor.
A new molecular testing device has been developed to identify individuals with high hypnotizability, who are most likely to benefit from hypnosis interventions for pain treatment. The test detected a subset of highly hypnotizable individuals with high levels of postoperative pain.
A study of 4.3 million patients found shorter primary care visits were associated with a higher likelihood of antibiotic overprescribing and co-prescribing opioids and benzodiazepines. Younger, publicly insured, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic Black patients had shorter visits, highlighting opportunities for operational improvements in visi...
A randomized trial found that CBD oil did not reduce pain scores after surgical treatment and stent placement for patients with urinary stones. The study involved 90 patients who received either CBD oil or a placebo, with no significant difference in pain reduction or opioid use between the two groups.
A new study reveals that military members with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) who identify as 'Other' are at a significantly higher risk of suicide and overdose deaths. The study found that the rates of these deaths were highest among members of this group, despite making up only 7.38% of the study sample.
A West Virginia University study found that patients treated for motor vehicle collision injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic used more drugs, including cannabinoids, opioids, and stimulants. The study suggests public health interventions may be needed to curb this behavior in rural areas.
A US FDA mandate to limit acetaminophen dosage in pills combining it with opioids significantly reduced hospitalizations and acute liver failure cases. Researchers found a persistent decline in yearly rates of these cases after the mandate was implemented in 2014.
A new study by Oregon State University researchers found that people recently released from prison in Oregon are at a higher risk of opioid overdose, with a rate of 1,086 per 100,000 person years, exceeding the general public rate by 10 times.
A new study by Weill Cornell Medicine found that the FDA's mandate to limit opioid-acetaminophen combinations resulted in significant reductions in liver injuries. The mandate, implemented in 2014, limited the dosage of acetaminophen in these drugs, leading to a decline in hospitalizations and acute liver failure cases.
A novel community-focused strategy implemented in Pennsylvania counties led to a 30% reduction in opioid overdose death rates. The approach, developed by University of Pittsburgh researchers, prevented 1,818 opioid-related deaths over two years.
A team of scientists has developed a novel, implantable drug delivery system that can be controlled by external light sources and is absorbable by the body. This technology has promising implications for treating various medical conditions, including pain management and cancer treatment.
A novel surgical pain management strategy has been developed to reduce opioid use after total knee arthroplasty. The study found that changing prescriptions for opioids at discharge from automatic to upon request dramatically decreased opioid use, with over half of patients recovering without opioid use.
Researchers at Texas A&M University School of Medicine have identified a specific brain circuit that characterizes how fentanyl affects the brain. Suppressing negative emotional states may increase a person's chance of overcoming opioid use disorder.
A new pain management approach for men undergoing urethroplasty reduces the need for strong opioids while maintaining effective pain control. The study found that patients taking tramadol in combination with liposomal bupivacaine had greater reductions in pain compared to those taking oxycodone.
A Rutgers University analysis of Medicaid records found that the regulation did not reduce progression from short-term to long-term opioid use, but did decrease new prescriptions written for more than five days. This change may have reduced leftover opioids available for misuse, but also forced patients who needed longer treatments to ...
The study calls for easier access to naloxone, including over-the-counter distribution, to address the US opioid epidemic. With millions lacking access, health providers are urged to include naloxone in treatment programs and counsel patients' families on its use.
A recent study found that adults with type 1 diabetes are at a high risk of being overweight or obese, but only half receive lifestyle recommendations to manage their weight. The study also highlighted the importance of individualized patient education in improving weight management for these patients.
A new WVU study found nearly one in eight West Virginia infants had in utero exposure to opioids, stimulants, and/or cannabis between 2020 and 2022. The study showed a 40% increased risk of preterm birth among infants exposed to stimulants alone and a 70% increase with concurrent stimulant and cannabis exposures.
Research reveals that opioid tapering can lead to more hospitalizations and emergency department visits, while also reducing primary care visit rates. The study's findings suggest potential unintended consequences of opioid tapering for policymakers and clinicians.
A study found that receiving medical cannabis for thirty days or more can lead to a significant reduction in prescription opioid dosages among patients on long-term opioid therapy. Patients who were on higher baseline dosages of prescription opioids experienced larger reductions in opioid dosages.
A large study on chronic pancreatitis patients who underwent surgery found that about two-thirds survive for 10 years, but over a quarter struggle with persistent opioid use. Long-term follow-up revealed significant psychosocial issues, including substance abuse, narcotics abuse, and end-stage liver disease.
A recent study found that telemedicine use did not compromise the quality of opioid use disorder treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical outcomes for patients treated by clinicians with high and low telemedicine use were similar, suggesting telemedicine as a comparable alternative to in-person care.
A new study shows that Medasense's NOL monitoring during major abdominal surgery can significantly reduce the proportion of patients with severe post-operative pain. The study found that intraoperative opioid dosing based on the NOL index reduced PACU pain scores by a median of 1.5 points at 90 minutes post-surgery. This technology use...
Despite relaxed regulations, buprenorphine overdose deaths remained low and often involved multiple substances. The study suggests that expanded access to treatment for opioid use disorder is crucial to reducing overdose rates.
A study by University of Pittsburgh and Cornell University scientists found that states with recreational cannabis laws saw a significant reduction in pharmacy-based codeine distribution. This reduction is promising from a public health perspective, as prescription opioid misuse contributes to thousands of overdose deaths annually.
The university is implementing curricular changes to increase access to early intervention and reduce stigma around substance use disorders. The program will cover 30 hours of instruction and add another tool to the kit of nursing graduates, aiming to provide more treatment options for those struggling with opioid addiction.
A study shows that pharmacies can offer a safe starting point for patients with opioid use disorder, leading to higher rates of retention in treatment. The pharmacy-based model increases access to buprenorphine, a lifesaving medication, for diverse patient populations and promotes racial and economic equity.
Researchers found that combination therapy of buprenorphine and naloxone was as safe as buprenorphine alone during pregnancy, with similar outcomes in maternal health and newborn health. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Researchers found that letters successfully encouraged clinicians to check patients' prescribing records, leading to increased PMP search rates and persistent effects. The findings suggest a cost-effective evidence-based strategy for promoting safer prescribing practices through simple letter interventions.
A new study found that nearly a third of patients with chronic pain use cannabis to manage their symptoms, leading to decreased use of pain medications. The study suggests that further research is needed to understand the benefits and risks of using cannabis for chronic pain management.
A survey study found that 3 in 10 adults with chronic pain in states with medical cannabis laws used cannabis to manage their pain, often substituting it for other pain medications. The study highlights the importance of researching the effectiveness and potential adverse consequences of cannabis for chronic pain management.
A USC study found that notifying clinicians about fatal opioid overdoses through letters from medical examiners reduces opioid prescribing over the next three months. The study shows these notifications have a lasting impact, with a 7% reduction in prescriptions after one year.
A new study implementing restrictive opioid prescriptions saw no compromise in patient recovery among 4,000 surgical patients. The protocol led to a significant decrease in opioid dispensing and conversion to chronic use.
A study published in Addiction journal found a significant decrease in codeine consumption across Australia after the country's most misused legal opioid was switched to a prescription-only medicine. The switch led to a 37% overall drop in codeine consumption, with smaller decreases observed in regional areas.
The Cleveland Clinic is developing a stem cell treatment for complex regional pain syndrome, a debilitating disease that causes chronic pain, using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). The research has long-term potential for providing patients an alternative to addictive opioid treatments.
A new hotline has shown promising results in preventing overdoses and saving lives by providing virtual supervision for people using substances alone. The National Overdose Response Service received over 2,100 calls from unique callers, with no reported deaths during a pilot period.
A study published in The Journal of Arthroplasty found that prescribing smaller initial opioid prescriptions can reduce the risk of refill in patients after surgery. This approach also creates an opportunity for doctors and patients to discuss the risks of continuing opioids if needed.
A new study found that the incidence rate of endocarditis among patients with cocaine use disorder or opioid use disorder increased significantly between 2011 and 2022. The risk was higher in patients with COVID-19, with a mortality rate of 9% within 180 days of diagnosis.
Patients with cocaine and opioid use disorders are at higher risk of developing endocarditis after COVID-19 infection, according to new research. The study found a significant increase in endocarditis cases among these patients, highlighting the need for increased screenings.
The City of Tempe and Arizona State University have developed a unique partnership to track COVID-19 using wastewater-based epidemiology, providing early warning data for municipalities. The system has been shown to reliably predict SARS-CoV-2 levels in city ZIP codes up to 11 days ahead of clinical testing results.
The number of active buprenorphine prescriptions remained constant during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, but new treatment episodes started significantly fewer than expected. This trend occurred despite emergency policies aimed at increasing access to the medication.
A study found that medical marijuana legalization was associated with reduced opioid use and fewer pain-related hospitalizations among adults receiving cancer treatment. The results suggest potential benefits for patient safety and quality of life, but further investigation is needed to understand the nature of these associations.
A study suggests that abruptly stopping prescribed opioids for chronic pain increases the risk of overdose, particularly among individuals without opioid use disorder. However, tapering opioid therapy is associated with a decreased risk of overdose in those with opioid use disorder who have not received opioid agonist therapy.