The Impact of COVID-19 on Substance Use and Related Consequences among Patients in Office-Based Opioid Use Disorder Treatment.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic led to increased substance-related morbidity and mortality and transformed care for opioid use disorder (OUD). We assessed the perceived impacts of the pandemic on substance use and related consequences among patients in office-based addiction treatment (OBAT).

Methods: We recruited patients with OUD on buprenorphine from July 2021 to July 2022, with data collection at baseline and 6 months.

Wound Care Capacity of the Addiction Workforce in the Setting of Xylazine.

Objectives: As xylazine increasingly adulterates the unregulated opioid supply, people who use drugs (PWUD) are more likely to experience sequalae from xylazine. Given xylazine exposure is consistently associated with development of wounds which can heal with medically directed wound care, we sought to understand the level of preparedness and ability of front-line addiction professionals who interact with PWUD to provide wound care treatment.

Methods: We administered a 26-item online survey assessing participant and organizational characteristics, level of wound care training, ability to test for xylazine and treat xylazine-associated wounds, and funding and billing characteristics to a national sample of addiction professionals using a listserv of over 11,000 individuals.

Patient and Clinician Experiences with the Implementation of Telemedicine and Related Adaptations in Office-Based Buprenorphine Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Deaths from opioid overdose have increased dramatically in the past decade, representing an epidemic in the United States. For individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD), agonist medications such as methadone and buprenorphine reduce opioid-related morbidity and mortality. Historically, the provision of buprenorphine treatment in office-based settings has relied on frequent in-person contact, likely influencing patients' access to and retention in care.

Xylazine and Adulterants in the Evolving Drug Supply: Urgent Call for Responsive Education Models.

Novel adulterants and synthetic substances are rapidly infiltrating the US drug supply causing new clinical harms. There is an urgent need for responsive education and training to address these evolving harms and mitigate new risks. Since 2020, xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer, has become increasingly common in the illicit opioid supply, especially alongside fentanyl.

Evaluation of the New England Office Based Addiction Treatment ECHO: A Tool for Strengthening the Addiction Workforce.

Introduction: Reducing substance-related morbidity requires an educated and well-supported workforce. The New England Office Based Addiction Treatment Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (NE OBAT ECHO) began in 2019 to support community-based addiction care teams through virtual mentoring and case-based learning. We sought to characterize the program's impact on the knowledge and attitudes of NE OBAT ECHO participants.

Crohn's Disease Among the Poorest Billion: Burden of Crohn's Disease in Low- and Lower-Middle-Income Countries.

Background: To establish the epidemiology and patterns of care of Crohn's Disease in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of gastroenterology providers in countries where the world's poorest billion live was conducted to learn more about the state of diagnostic and treatment capacity for Crohn's. Quantitative data were analyzed in R and Excel.

Crohn's disease in low and lower-middle income countries: A scoping review.

Background: While Crohn's disease has been studied extensively in high-income countries, its epidemiology and care in low and lower-middle income countries (LLMICs) is not well established due to a lack of disease registries and diagnostic capacity.

Aim: To describe the published burden, diagnostic/treatment capacity, service utilization, challenges/barriers to individuals with Crohn's in LLMICs and their providers.

Methods: We conducted a scoping review utilizing a full search strategy was developed and conducted in PubMed, Embase and World Health Organization Global Index Medicus.