The dependency can be caused by a range of elements, including chronic discomfort, psychological health concerns, and direct exposure to opioid drugs.
To investigate the relationship in between stopping prescribed opioid therapy for discomfort and overdose danger, a group of researchers performed a retrospective cohort study of individuals getting long-term opioid treatment for pain in British Columbia between October 2014 and June 2018. The scientists discovered that discontinuing opioid therapy for pain was associated with increased overdose risk among people without opioid usage condition (OUD). Tapering opioid treatment was associated with reduced risk of overdose in those with OUD who had not received opioid agonist treatment (AHR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.14– 0.67, p= 0.003).
Opioid addiction is a serious public health issue that impacts millions of individuals worldwide. It is defined by the compulsive usage of opioids despite negative effects, such as health issue, relationship troubles, and financial troubles. The addiction can be triggered by a range of elements, including persistent pain, psychological health concerns, and direct exposure to opioid drugs.
Discontinuation of opioid therapy for pain might increase the danger of overdose in clients.
Opioid-related overdose has actually ended up being a major factor to unexpected deaths in the United States and Canada. A brand-new research study just recently published in the journal PLOS Medicine, led by Mary Clare Kennedy of the University of British Columbia, Kelowna, Canada, indicates that stopping prescribed opioids might increase the risk of overdose.
To investigate the relationship between discontinuing recommended opioid therapy for pain and overdose risk, a team of researchers performed a retrospective cohort research study of individuals receiving long-lasting opioid treatment for pain in British Columbia in between October 2014 and June 2018. They studied the medical records of 14,037 clients signed up with the provincial health insurance customer lineup in British Columbia who had been on opioid treatment for at least 90 days.
The scientists found that terminating opioid treatment for pain was associated with increased overdose risk among individuals without opioid usage disorder (OUD). Yet the association was more powerful in those with OUD, consisting of those not receiving opioid agonist therapy (AHR = 3.18; 95% CI = 1.87– 5.40, p<< 0.001) and getting opioid agonist treatment (AHR = 2.52; 95% CI = 1.68-- 3.78, p<< 0.001). Finally, tapering opioid therapy was related to reduced danger of overdose in those with OUD who had not received opioid agonist treatment (AHR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.14-- 0.67, p= 0.003).
The research study had a number of constraints as the result measure did not catch overdose occasions that did not include a health care encounter or lead to death. Additionally, the scientists were unable to figure out the source of the drugs associated with overdoses and whether they were prescribed or obtained illicitly.
According to the authors, "These findings point to the need to avoid abrupt discontinuation of opioid treatment for discomfort and to boost guidance for prescribers in modifying opioid treatment tapering methods on the basis of opioid usage disorder and opioid agonist therapy status."
Kennedy adds, "Given the increased risk of overdose, unexpected discontinuation of opioid treatment for chronic discomfort should be prevented in nearly all circumstances. Enhanced assistance is required to support prescribers in carrying out efficient and safe opioid for pain tapering strategies, with particular factor to consider of opioid use condition and prescribed opioid agonist treatment status."
Referral: "Discontinuation and tapering of prescribed opioids and threat of overdose among individuals on long-term opioid treatment for pain with and without opioid use disorder in British Columbia, Canada: A retrospective accomplice study" by Mary Clare Kennedy, Alexis Crabtree, Seonaid Nolan, Wing Yin Mok, Zishan Cui, Mei Chong, Amanda Slaunwhite and Lianping Ti, 1 December 2022, PLOS Medicine.DOI: 10.1371/ journal.pmed.1004123.
SN is supported by the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research and the University of British Columbias Steven Diamond Professorship in Addiction Care Innovation. LT is supported by a Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar Award.
