Prevalence of opioid dependence in New South Wales, Australia, 2014-16: Indirect estimation from multiple data sources using a Bayesian approach.

Aims: To estimate the prevalence of, and number of unobserved people with opioid dependence by sex and age group in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

Design: We applied a Bayesian statistical modelling approach to opioid agonist treatment records linked to adverse event rate data. We estimated prevalence from three types of adverse event separately: opioid mortality, opioid-poisoning hospitalizations and opioid-related charges.

Does opioid agonist treatment reduce overdose mortality risk in people who are older or have physical comorbidities? Cohort study using linked administrative health data in New South Wales, Australia, 2002-17.

Aims: To quantify the association between opioid agonist treatment (OAT) and overdose death by age group; test the hypothesis that across different age groups, opioid overdose mortality is lowest during OAT with buprenorphine compared with time out of treatment or OAT with methadone; and test associations between OAT and opioid overdose mortality in the presence of chronic circulatory, respiratory, liver and kidney diseases.

Design: Retrospective observational cohort study using linked administrative data.

Setting: New South Wales, Australia.

The impact of opioid agonist treatment on fatal and non-fatal drug overdose among people with a history of opioid dependence in NSW, Australia, 2001-2018: Findings from the OATS retrospective linkage study.

Background: There are critical periods of mortality risk at onset and cessation of opioid agonist treatment. We aim to determine whether non-fatal overdose followed the same pattern as fatal overdose, comparing the first 4 weeks of treatment and treatment cessation and the remainder time off treatment, with the remainder treatment time, to determine intervention markers.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of people with a history of opioid agonist treatment using linked New South Wales data.

The effect of person, treatment and prescriber characteristics on retention in opioid agonist treatment: a 15-year retrospective cohort study.

Background And Aims: There is limited evidence on the relationship between retention in opioid agonist treatment for opioid dependence and characteristics of treatment prescribers. This study estimated retention in buprenorphine and methadone treatment and its relationship with person, treatment and prescriber characteristics.

Design: Retrospective longitudinal study.

Retention of opioid agonist treatment prescribers across New South Wales, Australia, 2001-2018: Implications for treatment systems and potential impact on client outcomes.

Background: There has been much research on the efficacy and effectiveness of opioid agonist treatment (OAT), but less on its implementation and sustainability. A challenge internationally has been recruiting and retaining prescribers. This paper aims to characterise the prescribers in terms of OAT prescribing behaviours.

Risk of discharge against medical advice among hospital inpatients with a history of opioid agonist therapy in New South Wales, Australia: A cohort study and nested crossover-cohort analysis.

Background: People who use illicit opioids have high rates of hospital admission. We aimed to measure the risk of discharge against medical advice among inpatients with a history of opioid agonist therapy (OAT), and test whether OAT is associated with lower risk of discharge against medical advice.

Methods: We conducted a cohort study of patients admitted to hospital in an emergency between 1 August 2001 and 30 April 2018 in New South Wales, Australia.

Hospitalisations for non-fatal overdose among people with a history of opioid dependence in New South Wales, Australia, 2001-2018: Findings from the OATS retrospective cohort study.

Background: To examine, among a cohort of opioid dependent people with a history of opioid agonist treatment (OAT), the frequency and incidence rates of non-fatal overdose (NFOD) hospital separations over time, by age and sex.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of people with a history of OAT using state-wide linked New South Wales (NSW) data. The incidence of NFOD hospital separations involving an opioid, sedative, stimulant or alcohol was defined according to the singular or combination of poisoning/toxic effect using ICD-10-AM codes.

Life expectancy of people who are dependent on opioids: A cohort study in New South Wales, Australia.

Background: People who are dependent on opioids have increased risk of premature death, but there are few estimates of life expectancy.

Methods: We calculated age-specific mortality rates in a cohort of people who had at least one prescription of an opioid agonist (methadone or buprenorphine) between 2001 and 2018 in New South Wales, Australia. We used life tables to estimate life expectancy at age 18.

Reductions in emergency department presentations associated with opioid agonist treatment vary by geographic location: A retrospective study in New South Wales, Australia.

Introduction And Aims: It is not known if the reduction in ED use during periods of OAT occurs across urgent and low acuity presentations. We aimed to compare the incidence and costs of urgent and low acuity ED presentations of people with opioid use disorder (OUD) in and out of opioid agonist treatment (OAT).

Design And Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study (N=24,875), using linked administrative health data from New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

Using routinely collected data to understand and predict adverse outcomes in opioid agonist treatment: Protocol for the Opioid Agonist Treatment Safety (OATS) Study.

Introduction: North America is amid an opioid use epidemic. Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) effectively reduces extramedical opioid use and related harms. As with all pharmacological treatments, there are risks associated with OAT, including fatal overdose.