Background: Overdose remains a pressing public health concern in the United States, particularly with the emergence of fentanyl and other potent synthetic opioids in the drug supply. We evaluated trends in recurrent overdose and opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment initiation following emergency department (ED) visits for opioid overdose to inform response efforts.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used electronic health record and statewide administrative data from Rhode Island residents who visited EDs for opioid overdose between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2021, a period with fentanyl predominance in the local drug supply. The primary outcome was recurrent overdose in the 365 days following the initial ED visit. OUD treatment initiation within 180 days following the initial ED visit was considered as a secondary outcome. Trends in study outcomes were summarized by year of the initial ED visit.

Results: Among 1745 patients attending EDs for opioid overdose, 20 % (n=352) experienced a recurrent overdose within 365 days, and this percentage was similar by year (p=0.12). Among patients who experienced any recurrent overdose, the median time to first recurrent overdose was 88 days (interquartile range=23-208), with 85 % (n=299/352) being non-fatal. Among patients not engaged in OUD treatment at their initial ED visit, 33 % (n=448/1370) initiated treatment within 180 days; this was similar by year (p=0.98).

Conclusions: Following ED visits for opioid overdose in Rhode Island from 2016-2021, the one-year risk of recurrent overdose and six-month treatment initiation rate remained stable over time. Innovative prevention strategies and improved treatment access are needed.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11329345PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111379DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

recurrent overdose
28
opioid overdose
20
treatment initiation
16
overdose
13
visits opioid
12
oud treatment
12
initial visit
12
trends recurrent
8
initiation emergency
8
emergency department
8

Similar Publications

Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation: Exploring a Novel Treatment for Severe Opioid Use Disorder.

Biol Psychiatry

January 2025

Department of Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Opioid use disorder remains a critical healthcare challenge as current therapeutic strategies have limitations resulting in high recurrence and deaths. We evaluated safety and feasibility of focused ultrasound (FUS) neuromodulation to reduce substance cravings and use in severe opioid- and co-occurring substance use disorders.

Methods: This prospective, open-label, single-arm study enrolled 8 participants with severe, primary opioid use disorder with co-occurring substance use.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: Buprenorphine has recently emerged as a prehospital treatment for opioid use disorder. Limited data exist regarding the implementation of prehospital buprenorphine programs. Our objective was to describe the development, deployment, lessons learned, and ongoing evolution of the Wake County EMS buprenorphine program using data from the first year following implementation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The opioid epidemic is a pervasive health issue and continues to have a drastic impact on the United States. This is primarily because opioids cause respiratory suppression and the leading cause of death in opioid overdose is respiratory failure (, opioid-induced respiratory depression, OIRD). Opioid administration can affect the frequency and magnitude of inspiratory motor drive by activating μ-opioid receptors that are located throughout the respiratory control network in the brainstem.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Statins are frequently prescribed to lower the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular-related diseases. While statins are considered safe, there are occasional accidental overdoses in children that warrant concern for how to protect children from unintended consumption. We aimed to determine which statins were more prone to injury, characterize the injury types commonly seen for each statin, assess the age at which statin-related injuries were most frequent, and compare statin-related injuries among genders.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: We implemented a "kit in hand" naloxone distribution program at emergency department (ED) discharge activated by electronic health record Best Practice Advisory (BPA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate naloxone kit distribution before and after implementation.

Methods: Retrospective observational study of adult ED patients with unintentional opioid overdose conducted over a six-month period.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!