Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety
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Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf · May 2016
Prescription opioid exposures and adverse outcomes among older adults.
A high prevalence of chronic pain and high rates of polypharmacy among older adults suggest that this age group may be particularly susceptible to unintentional misuse of prescription opioids. We examined recent trends in misuse of prescription opioids and associated medical outcomes among older-aged adults (60+ years) and compared the patterns with trends among younger-aged adults (20-59 years). ⋯ Recent increases in rates of misuse of prescription opioids and associated unfavorable medical outcomes among older adults have important implications as the USA undergoes a rapid expansion of its elderly population. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf · May 2016
Changes in the medical management of patients on opioid analgesics following a diagnosis of substance abuse.
When providers recognize that patients are abusing prescription drugs, review of the drugs they are prescribed and attempts to treat the substance use disorder are warranted. However, little is known about whether prescribing patterns change following such a diagnosis. ⋯ Prescribing to people who abuse drugs changes little after their abuse is documented. Actions such as tapering opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions, maximizing alternative treatments for pain, and greater use of medication-assisted treatment such as buprenorphine could help reduce risk in this population. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
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Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf · May 2016
The extent and correlates of community-based pharmaceutical opioid utilisation in Australia.
There has been concern regarding the increasing use of opioids and related harm. We present data on opioid utilisation across Australia and consider sociodemographic factors that may affect utilisation rates. ⋯ Substantial geographic variation in opioid utilisation was identified, with areas outside of major cities having higher rates of utilisation of all types of opioids. Prescription monitoring and best practice interventions aimed at improving opioid use need to have a particular focus on areas outside of major cities. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.