Articles: opioid.
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Multicenter Study
Impact of modified-release opioid use on clinical outcomes following total hip and knee arthroplasty: a propensity score-matched cohort study.
Modified-release opioids are often prescribed for the management of moderate to severe acute pain following total hip and knee arthroplasty, despite recommendations against their use due to increasing concerns regarding harm. The primary objective of this multicentre study was to examine the impact of modified-release opioid use on the incidence of opioid-related adverse events compared with immediate-release opioid use, among adult inpatients following total hip or knee arthroplasty. Data for total hip and knee arthroplasty inpatients receiving an opioid analgesic for postoperative analgesia during hospitalisation were collected from electronic medical records of three tertiary metropolitan hospitals in Australia. ⋯ This included total opioid dose received. In the matched cohorts, patients given modified-release opioids (n = 347) experienced a higher incidence of opioid-related adverse events overall, compared with those given immediate-release opioids only (20.5%, 71/347 vs. 12.7%, 44/347; difference in proportions 7.8% [95%CI 2.3-13.3%]). Modified-release opioid use was associated with an increased risk of harm when used for acute pain during hospitalisation after total hip or knee arthroplasty.
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Collaborative care management (CCM) is an empirically driven model to overcome fractured medical care and improve health outcomes. While CCM has been applied across numerous conditions, it remains underused for chronic pain and opioid use. Our objective was to establish the state of the science for CCM approaches to addressing pain-related outcomes and opioid-related behaviors through a systematic review. ⋯ CCM shows promise for improving pain-related outcomes, as well as facilitating buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. More robust research is needed to determine which aspects of CCM best support improved outcomes and how to maximize the effectiveness of such interventions.
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Overdose fatalities are increasingly attributed to synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, which may be added to samples of illicit substances unknowingly to the user. As recently as April 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also raised awareness of the risks of xylazine, an animal tranquilizer that has been found in adulterated samples of illicit substance. ⋯ In this article, we advocate for emergency medical services to distribute fentanyl and xylazine test strips. We also critically evaluate legal and other barriers to implementation.
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Palliative medicine · Oct 2023
Review Meta AnalysisEffectiveness and safety of opioids on breathlessness and exercise endurance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
Opioids are recommended to treat advanced refractory dyspnoea despite optimal therapy by the American Thoracic Society clinical practice guidelines, while newly published randomised controlled trials of opioids in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease yield conflicting results. ⋯ Sustained-release opioids did not improve dyspnoea and exercise endurance. Short-acting opioids appeared to be safe, have potential to lessen dyspnoea and improve exercise endurance, supporting benefit in managing episodes of breathlessness and providing prophylactic treatment for exertional dyspnoea.