Research on opioids, addiction, and treatment. Covers traditional care practices, opioid treatment in pregnancy, illicit fentanyl, and treatment disparities.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Researchers link fentanyl to sodium pockets in nerve cell receptors, blocking harmful side effects while reducing pain. The study offers promise for safer painkillers and potential improvements for addressing the nation's crisis of addiction and overdose.
A novel public health intervention, virtual overdose monitoring services offer timely and anonymous access to emergency care and can develop personalized response plans for individuals using substances. High-quality research is needed to better understand the benefits and risks of these services.
New York State opioid prescriptions declined during the COVID-19 lockdown, with only a small transient increase in early refills. Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) prescriptions remained steady, thanks to policies ensuring their availability.
A randomized Phase 3 study published in JAMA found that morphine does not improve symptoms of chronic breathlessness in patients with COPD. However, clinical experience suggests that morphine can provide relief in end-of-life situations or crisis scenarios.
A recent study found that benzodiazepine treatment for sleep disorders is associated with an increased risk of drug overdose among young people aged 10-29, particularly those with recent opioid prescriptions. This highlights the importance of considering alternative pharmacologic treatments to minimize safety risks.
A researcher at Ohio University is using a $1.4 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to develop a training program for healthcare professionals to overcome stigma surrounding Buprenorphine prescriptions. The study aims to increase access to harm reduction services in rural areas.
Researchers found cannabis users had decreased patency and were 1.25 times more likely to require amputation one year after lower extremity bypass surgery. Cannabis use was also associated with a higher risk of opioid use after discharge.
The risk of death from infective endocarditis (IE) among young US residents aged 15-44 years has doubled in the last two decades. IE cases among younger patients and those who inject drugs have increased, with mortality rates increasing by 50%.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that antiepileptic prescribing to US nursing home residents with Alzheimer's Disease and dementia increased between 2015 and 2019. In contrast, antipsychotic and opioid prescribing rates declined during this period
Research found racial and ethnic disparities in buprenorphine treatment duration grew between 2006 and 2020. Longer treatment durations were associated with superior clinical outcomes for patients with opioid use disorders.
Researchers analyzed 200 overdose events in Rhode Island city, finding police were last to arrive at scene in most incidents. Arrests were extremely rare, with only 1% of cases involving law enforcement presence due to safety concerns.
Researchers at Rutgers University found that patients who participate in multiple outpatient visits early in treatment are more likely to continue care. Nearly half of these patients remained in treatment for six months or more, compared to just 2.9% of those with less frequent visits.
A recent study found that despite no decrease in opioid prescriptions, the doses prescribed are lower for senior patients after surgery. The study analyzed over 278,000 patients and showed an increase in non-opioid prescriptions, with most patients still receiving opioid prescriptions.
Opioid abuse declined nationwide during the pandemic, yet remained higher among non-heterosexuals compared to heterosexuals. The analysis suggests a need for tailored approaches to reduce abuse in vulnerable populations.
A University of Kansas researcher is using a $2.3 million grant to investigate the connection between DNA break-and-repair processes and opioid addiction. The study aims to understand how molecular changes in the brain contribute to addiction, with the goal of developing new therapies.
The project aims to utilize care coordination and population health principles to maximize health outcomes for high-risk individuals with OUD. Funding will be used to coordinate care through cross-sector system collaboration and individualize treatment plans.
A study found that 16.5% of American adults with diabetes ration their insulin, with younger adults and the uninsured being most affected. Insulin rationing is often linked to cost concerns, with many patients delaying purchases or taking less insulin than needed.
A survey of over 1,000 physicians found that 67% of respondents favored making telehealth a permanent option for treating opioid-use disorder. The study suggests that continued flexibility in telehealth regulations could help increase access to life-saving treatment, particularly during the ongoing opioid crisis.
Discontinuing or reducing telephone access may disrupt treatment for patients with access disparities, particularly Black patients and those experiencing homelessness. Telehealth was associated with increased retention rates for both new and continuing patients.
A new study suggests that phone calls and video chats can help patients access care, especially for those with barriers to traditional in-person visits. The study found that veterans who received virtual visits were more likely to stay on buprenorphine treatment, but there were disparities by race, housing status, and age.
Rescue Biomedical's technology detects opioid overdoses and delivers naloxone to reverse them. The NIH grant will help the company complete milestones, including regulatory approval and scaling up manufacturing.
Nonadherence with buprenorphine treatment was associated with increased opioid overdose risk and higher healthcare expenditures in a study of 34,000 Medicare patients. The study found that treatment gaps led to more frequent overdoses and increased healthcare costs.
Researchers will test a new telehealth platform linking people who have overdosed with access to medication for opioid use disorder, harm reduction services, and recovery supports. The project aims to expedite access to medication and reduce overdose events and fatalities.
A McMaster University study found that switching to non-opioid painkillers after surgery can significantly reduce opioid consumption and improve patient outcomes. The six-week study enrolled 193 patients who received either standard opioid-based painkillers or a combination therapy of naproxen, acetaminophen, and pantoprazole.
Researchers found that individuals who received naloxone were nine times more likely to survive an overdose, but access to the drug varied greatly across counties. The study suggests that increasing distribution of naloxone, training emergency responders, and expanding take-home programs could help combat the opioid epidemic.
The October issues of The American Journal of Psychiatry focus on diagnosis and treatment of opioid use disorder and cannabis use disorder. Psychiatric Services features research reports on issues related to mental health services for people with serious mental illness.
A clinical trial of email alerts from pharmacists to doctors and other practitioners found no reduction in risky opioid prescribing, highlighting the need for rigorous testing of policies aimed at making opioid prescribing safer. The study tested behavioral science techniques to encourage safer prescribing practices.
A new study from North Carolina State University reveals that law enforcement is not uniformly recognizing and respecting the legal protections in place to support harm reduction programs. Despite these protections, more than half of survey participants reported negative experiences with law enforcement, including confiscation of suppl...
A prospective multicenter case-control study found that third-trimester fetuses exposed to opioids in utero exhibited smaller brain biometric measurements and altered fetal physiology. The study suggests a possible link between prenatal opioid exposure and postnatal clinical outcomes.
A new study found that medical cannabis users reported significant improvements in pain management, social functioning, and overall health. The majority of participants were able to stop or reduce their opioid use, with some experiencing a five-fold decrease in hydrocodone prescriptions.
Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago found that opioid deaths in Cook County have been undercounted by up to 15%, with the majority of missed cases occurring in hospitals. The study highlights the need for better data collection and reporting to combat the opioid crisis.
Researchers at UC Davis aim to develop monoclonal antibodies that can bind to specific ion channels in nerve cells, inhibiting pain signal transmission. The goal is to create a monthly, non-addictive pain medication to replace opioids, which can lead to addiction.
For people at high risk of overdose enrolled in a safer opioid supply program, there was a rapid decrease in emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and health care costs. The study found improved outcomes for participants compared to those not exposed to the program.
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a significant increase in years of life lost to unintentional drug overdose among adolescents, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl contributing to the rising trend. Researchers found that mortality due to unintentional overdose in adolescents reached an all-time high in 2020.
A new poll reveals that nearly half of people over 50 experience joint pain, and many turn to prescription-based treatments despite potential health risks. The poll's authors stress the need for healthcare providers to discuss medication interactions and non-drug options with patients.