Sex and Gender Differences in Weight-Related Biopsychosocial Factors Among Adults Receiving Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder.

Introduction: Medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is the most efficacious treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). MOUD uptake and continuation may be impacted by health concerns, including weight gain, and social factors, such as food insecurity, that vary between men and women. This study aimed to describe sex and gender differences in body mass index (BMI) and weight-related demographic, psychosocial, and clinical characteristics among adults receiving buprenorphine for OUD.

Rapid induction onto extended-release injectable buprenorphine following opioid overdose: A case series.

Background: Buprenorphine treatment has been associated with reduced non-prescribed opioid use and opioid related overdose (OD). We evaluated initial outcomes of rapid induction onto extended-release injectable buprenorphine (BUP-XR) within 7 days of emergency department presentation for unintentional OD.

Methods: Between February 2019-February 2021,  = 19 patients with opioid use disorder received buprenorphine/naloxone (4/1 mg), followed by BUP-XR (300 mg) at induction and continued BUP-XR outpatient for 6 months.

Sucrose subjective response and eating behaviors among individuals with opioid use disorder.

Background: While opioid agonists represent the most efficacious treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), they may enhance the reinforcing effects of sweets, placing individuals at risk for weight gain and associated consequences. We examined sucrose subjective response among adults receiving opioid agonist treatment vs. a comparison sample without OUD.

Impact of Current Pain Status on Low-Barrier Buprenorphine Treatment Response Among Patients with Opioid Use Disorder.

Objective: Chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is prevalent among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). However, the impact of CNCP on buprenorphine treatment outcomes is largely unknown. In this secondary analysis, we examined treatment outcomes among individuals with and without CNCP who received a low-barrier buprenorphine maintenance regimen during waitlist delays to more comprehensive opioid treatment.

Within-subject evaluation of interim buprenorphine treatment during waitlist delays.

Background: The effectiveness of opioid agonist treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) is well established, and delays to treatment are still common, particularly in rural geographic areas. In a randomized 12-week pilot study, we demonstrated initial efficacy of a technology-assisted Interim Buprenorphine Treatment (IBT) vs. continued waitlist control (WLC) for reducing illicit opioid use and other risk behaviors during waitlist delays.

Nonfatal Opioid Overdoses at an Urban Emergency Department During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study compares the numbers of nonfatal, unintentional opioid-related opioid overdoses presenting to a US urban emergency department during the early months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (March-June 2020) vs 2019, overall and by age, race/ethnicity, and insurance status.

Effects of Interim Buprenorphine Treatment for opioid use disorder among emerging adults.

Objective: Although opioid maintenance is a first-line approach for treating opioid use disorder (OUD), suboptimal treatment outcomes have been reported among emerging adults (EAs; 18-25 years of age). In this secondary analysis, we compared treatment outcomes between EAs and older adults (OAs; ≥ 26 years of age) receiving low-barrier, technology-assisted Interim Buprenorphine Treatment (IBT) during waitlist delays to comprehensive opioid maintenance treatment.

Method: Participants were 35 individuals with OUD who received IBT consisting of 12-weeks of buprenorphine maintenance with bi-monthly clinic visits and technology-assisted monitoring.

Fentanyl exposure among patients seeking opioid treatment.

Aim: Overdoses attributed to the potent opioid agonist fentanyl have substantially increased in recent years. Despite these serious public health consequences, many opioid treatment providers do not currently include a fentanyl assay in their urine toxicology testing. As a result, extent of fentanyl exposure and related risks among individuals with opioid use disorder often remains unknown.

Feasibility of an interactive voice response system for daily monitoring of illicit opioid use during buprenorphine treatment.

In-person retrospective timeline follow-back (TLFB) interviews are a well-established method for collecting self-reports of drug use from patients. However, this method can require significant staff and patient time. In the context of a randomized clinical trial evaluating interim buprenorphine dosing, we examined the feasibility of an interactive voice response (IVR) system for daily monitoring of illicit opioid use during buprenorphine treatment, with a focus on the agreement of illicit opioid use self-report data collected from the concurrent IVR methodology versus retrospective TLFB interviews.

A novel mHealth application for improving HIV and Hepatitis C knowledge in individuals with opioid use disorder: A pilot study.

Aims: There is a critical need to reduce infectious disease transmission among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). Here we examine the ability of a novel, automated educational intervention, delivered via iPad in a single visit, to improve human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) knowledge among adults with OUD.

Methods: Participants were 25 adults enrolled in a 12-week trial evaluating the efficacy of an Interim Buprenorphine Treatment for reducing illicit opioid use and other risk behaviors during delays to opioid treatment.

Promoting smoking abstinence among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Initial feasibility.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the U.S., with the majority of COPD deaths attributable to cigarette smoking.

Interim buprenorphine treatment during delays to comprehensive treatment: Changes in psychiatric symptoms.

Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and mood disorders among individuals with opioid use disorder far exceeds that of the general population. While psychiatric symptoms often improve upon entry into opioid treatment, this has typically been seen with treatments involving psychosocial counseling. In this secondary analysis, we examined changes in psychiatric symptoms during a randomized clinical trial evaluating an interim buprenorphine treatment without counseling among individuals awaiting entry into comprehensive treatment.