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Harm Reduction Journal Oct 2023Providing sterile drug smoking materials to people who use drugs can prevent the acquisition of infectious diseases and reduce overdose risk. However, there is a lack of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Providing sterile drug smoking materials to people who use drugs can prevent the acquisition of infectious diseases and reduce overdose risk. However, there is a lack of understanding of how these practices are being implemented and received by people who use drugs globally.
METHODS
A systematic review of safer smoking practices was conducted by searching PubMed, PsycInfo, Embase for relevant peer-reviewed, English-language publications from inception or the availability of online manuscripts through December 2022.
RESULTS
Overall, 32 peer-reviewed papers from six countries were included. 30 studies exclusively included people who use drugs as participants (n = 11 people who use drugs; generally, n = 17 people who smoke drugs, n = 2 people who inject drugs). One study included program staff serving people who use drugs, and one study included staff and people who use drugs. Sharing smoking equipment (e.g., pipes) was reported in 25 studies. People who use drugs in several studies reported that pipe sharing occurred for multiple reasons, including wanting to accumulate crack resin and protect themselves from social harms, such as police harassment. Across studies, smoking drugs, as opposed to injecting drugs, were described as a crucial method to reduce the risk of overdose, disease acquisition, and societal harms such as police violence. Ten studies found that when people who use drugs were provided with safer smoking materials, they engaged in fewer risky drug use behaviors (e.g., pipe sharing, using broken pipes) and showed improved health outcomes. However, participants across 11 studies reported barriers to accessing safer smoking services. Solutions to overcoming safer smoking access barriers were described in 17 studies and included utilizing peer workers and providing safer smoking materials to those who asked.
CONCLUSION
This global review found that safer smoking practices are essential forms of harm reduction. International policies must be amended to help increase access to these essential tools. Additional research is also needed to evaluate the efficacy of and access to safer smoking services, particularly in the U.S. and other similar countries, where such practices are being implemented but have not been empirically studied in the literature.
Topics: Humans; Cocaine-Related Disorders; Crack Cocaine; Substance-Related Disorders; Narration; Harm Reduction; Drug Overdose; Smoking; Substance Abuse, Intravenous
PubMed: 37891658
DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00875-x -
Annals of Internal Medicine Jan 2014Deaths due to prescription opioid overdoses have increased dramatically. High-quality guidelines could help clinicians mitigate risks associated with opioid therapy. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Deaths due to prescription opioid overdoses have increased dramatically. High-quality guidelines could help clinicians mitigate risks associated with opioid therapy.
PURPOSE
To evaluate the quality and content of guidelines on the use of opioids for chronic pain.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE, National Guideline Clearinghouse, specialty society Web sites, and international guideline clearinghouses (searched in July 2013).
STUDY SELECTION
Guidelines published between January 2007 and July 2013 addressing the use of opioids for chronic pain in adults were selected. Guidelines on specific settings, populations, and conditions were excluded.
DATA EXTRACTION
Guidelines and associated systematic reviews were evaluated using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument and A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR), respectively, and recommendations for mitigating opioid-related risks were compared.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Thirteen guidelines met selection criteria. Overall AGREE II scores were 3.00 to 6.20 (on a scale of 1 to 7). The AMSTAR ratings were poor to fair for 10 guidelines. Two received high AGREE II and AMSTAR scores. Most guidelines recommend that clinicians avoid doses greater than 90 to 200 mg of morphine equivalents per day, have additional knowledge to prescribe methadone, recognize risks of fentanyl patches, titrate cautiously, and reduce doses by at least 25% to 50% when switching opioids. Guidelines also agree that opioid risk assessment tools, written treatment agreements, and urine drug testing can mitigate risks. Most recommendations are supported by observational data or expert consensus.
LIMITATION
Exclusion of non-English-language guidelines and reliance on published information.
CONCLUSION
Despite limited evidence and variable development methods, recent guidelines on chronic pain agree on several opioid risk mitigation strategies, including upper dosing thresholds; cautions with certain medications; attention to drug-drug and drug-disease interactions; and use of risk assessment tools, treatment agreements, and urine drug testing. Future research should directly examine the effectiveness of opioid risk mitigation strategies.
PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE
California Department of Industrial Relations and California Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation.
Topics: Adult; Analgesics, Opioid; Chronic Pain; Drug Overdose; Humans; Medication Adherence; Opioid-Related Disorders; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Risk Assessment; United States; Urinalysis
PubMed: 24217469
DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-160-1-201401070-00732 -
Drug and Alcohol Review May 2022Non-medical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) contributes substantially to the global burden of morbidity. However, no systematic assessment of the scientific literature... (Review)
Review
ISSUES
Non-medical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) contributes substantially to the global burden of morbidity. However, no systematic assessment of the scientific literature on the associations between NMPOU and health outcomes has yet been undertaken.
APPROACH
We undertook a systematic review evaluating health outcomes related to NMPOU based on ICD-10 clinical domains. We searched 13 electronic databases for original research articles until 1 July 2021. We employed an adaptation of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 'Levels of Evidence' scale to assess study quality.
KEY FINDINGS
Overall, 182 studies were included. The evidence base was largest on the association between NMPOU and mental and behavioural disorders; 71% (129) studies reported on these outcomes. Less evidence exists on the association of NMPOU with infectious disease outcomes (26; 14%), and on external causes of morbidity and mortality, with 13 (7%) studies assessing its association with intentional self-harm and 1 study assessing its association with assault (<1%).
IMPLICATIONS
A large body of evidence has identified associations between NMPOU and opioid use disorder as well as on fatal and non-fatal overdose. We found equivocal evidence on the association between NMPOU and the acquisition of HIV, hepatitis C and other infectious diseases. We identified weak evidence regarding the potential association between NMPOU and intentional self-harm, suicidal ideation and assault.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
Findings may inform the prevention of harms associated with NMPOU, although higher-quality research is needed to characterise the association between NMPOU and the full spectrum of physical and mental health disorders.
Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Humans; Opioid-Related Disorders; Prescriptions
PubMed: 35437841
DOI: 10.1111/dar.13441 -
JAMA Internal Medicine Nov 2016Overuse of medical care is an increasingly recognized problem in clinical medicine. (Review)
Review
IMPORTANCE
Overuse of medical care is an increasingly recognized problem in clinical medicine.
OBJECTIVE
To identify and highlight original research articles published in 2015 that are most likely to reduce overuse of medical care, organized into 3 categories: overuse of testing, overtreatment, and questionable use of services. The articles were reviewed and interpreted for their importance to clinical medicine.
EVIDENCE REVIEW
A structured review of English-language articles on PubMed published in 2015 and review of tables of contents of relevant journals to identify potential articles that related to medical overuse in adults.
FINDINGS
Between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2015, we reviewed 1445 articles, of which 821 addressed overuse of medical care. Of these, 112 were deemed most relevant based on their originality, methodologic quality, and number of patients potentially affected. The 10 most influential articles were selected by consensus using the same criteria. Findings included a doubling of specialty referrals and advanced imaging for simple headache (from 6.7% in 2000 to 13.9% in 2010); unnecessary hospital admission for low-risk syncope, often leading to adverse events; and overly frequent colonoscopy screening for 34% of patients. Overtreatment was common in the following areas: 1 in 4 patients with atrial fibrillation at low risk for thromboembolism received anticoagulation; 94% of testosterone replacement therapy was administered off guideline recommendations; 91% of patients resumed taking opioids after overdose; and 61% of patients with diabetes were treated to potentially harmfully low hemoglobin A1c levels (<7%). Findings also identified medical practices to question, including questionable use of treatment of acute low-back pain with cyclobenzaprine and oxycodone/acetaminophen; of testing for Clostridium difficile with molecular assays; and serial follow-up of benign thyroid nodules.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The number of articles on overuse of medical care nearly doubled from 2014 to 2015. The present review promotes reflection on the top 10 articles and may lead to questioning other non-evidence-based practices.
Topics: Delivery of Health Care; Evidence-Based Medicine; Guidelines as Topic; Health Services Misuse; Humans; Mass Screening; Medical Overuse; Patient Readmission; Prescription Drug Overuse; Quality of Health Care; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; United States; Unnecessary Procedures
PubMed: 27654002
DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.5381 -
Pain Physician Nov 2017Abuse-deterrent formulations (ADFs) represent one novel strategy for curbing the potential of opioid abuse. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Abuse-deterrent formulations (ADFs) represent one novel strategy for curbing the potential of opioid abuse.
OBJECTIVE
We aim to compare and contrast the characteristics and applications of current abuse-deterrent opioid products in clinical practice.
METHODS
Literature searches were conducted in databases (Pubmed Medline, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Google Scholar) and official reports. Relevant data were screened and organized into: 1) epidemiology of opioid abuse, 2) mitigation strategies for reducing opioid abuse, 3) development of ADFs, and 4) clinical experience with these formulations.
RESULTS
Increasing trends of opioid abuse and misuse have been reported globally. There are 5 types of abuse-deterrent opioid products: physical chemical barrier, combined agonist/antagonist, sequestered aversive agent, prodrug, and novel delivery system. The advantages and disadvantages of the 5 options are discussed in this review. A total of 9 products with abuse-deterrent labels have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The rates of abuse, diversion, and overdose deaths of these new products are also discussed. A framework for collecting in-time data on the efficacy, benefit and risk ratio, and cost-effectiveness of these new products is suggested to facilitate their optimal use.
LIMITATIONS
The present review did not utilize systematic review standards or meta-analytic techniques, given the large heterogeneity of data and outcomes reviewed.
CONCLUSIONS
ADFs provide an option for inhibiting the abuse or misuse of oral opioid products by hindering extraction of the active ingredient, preventing alternative routes of administration, or causing aversion. Their relatively high costs, uncertain insurance policies, and limited data on pharmacoeconomics warrant collaborative monitoring and assessment by government agencies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and data analysis services to define their therapeutic role in the future.
KEY WORDS
Opioid abuse, abuse-deterrent formulations, ADF, post-marketing, FDA guidance, cost impact, abuse liking, physician attitude, generic abuse-deterrent formulation, clinical application.
Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Drug Compounding; Humans; Opioid-Related Disorders; Prescription Drug Misuse
PubMed: 29149148
DOI: No ID Found -
Pain Physician May 2016Opioid overdose continues to be a significant and growing cause of preventable mortality and morbidity. Studies suggest that unintentional, non-fatal overdose from... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Opioid overdose continues to be a significant and growing cause of preventable mortality and morbidity. Studies suggest that unintentional, non-fatal overdose from prescription opioid analgesics constitutes a large portion of total overdose events. The societal burden associated with these events is a frequently overlooked public health concern.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate unintentional, non-fatal prescription opioid overdoses, including the identification of risk factors, societal burden, and knowledge gaps where further study is warranted.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review of the literature for unintentional, non-fatal opioid overdose.
METHODS
Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines were used in constructing this systematic review. To determine the scope of the existing literature, a systematic search was conducted using the MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases.
RESULTS
This systematic review analyzes 24 articles (21 retrospective descriptive analyses, 2 prospective analyses, one phase III trial, and one meta-analysis). Articles were reviewed by authors and relevant data examined. Results show that opioid overdose morbidity is significantly more prevalent than mortality and sequelae of non-fatal events should be studied in more detail.
LIMITATIONS
The limitations of this systematic review include the range of study populations and opioids discussed and the broad and variable definitions of "opioid overdose" in the literature.
CONCLUSIONS
Opioid overdose morbidity and mortality is seen across the entire spectrum of inpatient and outpatient use with significant numbers of adverse events occurring in population segments not identified by high risk indicators. Increased physician awareness and a multi-modal approach could help mitigate the overdose epidemic while maintaining effective pain control for patients.
KEY WORDS
Prescription, opioid, accidental drug overdose, unintentional overdose, drug poisoning, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone, oxymorphone, hydromorphone.
Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Drug Overdose; Humans; Prescription Drug Overuse
PubMed: 27228510
DOI: No ID Found -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023The U.S. has experienced exponential growth in overdose fatalities over the past four decades and more than 22 million people are currently living with a substance use... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The U.S. has experienced exponential growth in overdose fatalities over the past four decades and more than 22 million people are currently living with a substance use disorder (SUD). While great strides have been made in advancing the science of SUD prevention and treatment, proven programs and interventions are not commonly disseminated at scale in impacted communities. The U.S. Cooperative Extension System (Extension) has been recognized as a valued partner in addressing SUD in communities. Federal funding supporting Extension's response to the opioid epidemic reached $35 million in 2021 primarily through two grant programs: the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Health and Safety Education program; and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Rural Opioid Technical Assistance (ROTA) grants. The primary objective of this scoping review was to identify the range of Extension activities aimed at mediating substance misuse.
METHODS
Authors utilized the PRISMA-SCR model to complete this scoping review. Due to the nature of Extension work and the expectation that few activities would be cited in the peer-reviewed literature, the scoping review included a search of peer-reviewed databases, Extension websites for each state and U.S. territory, and the utilization of a web search engine. Upon initial analysis of records returned, authors noted a discrepancy between results returned and the number of states receiving ROTA grants. Thus, authors supplemented the PRISMA-SCR review protocol with a systematic procedure for investigating ROTA funded activities not readily apparent in the peer-reviewed or grey literature.
RESULTS
A total of 87 records met inclusion criteria. Findings included seven peer-reviewed articles and 80 results from the grey literature. An additional 11 ROTA grantees responded to requests for information regarding state level activities.
CONCLUSIONS
Nationwide, Extension has scaled multiple efforts to address SUD operating through a loose confederation of organizations connected to the land-grant system. Most activities are funded by federal grants and focus on state-sponsored training and resource sharing. The volume of effort is significant, however, implementation at the community-level has been slow. Significant opportunities exist for local adoption of evidence-based practices aimed at mitigating SUD.
Topics: United States; Humans; Databases, Factual; Dietary Supplements; Laboratory Personnel; Opioid Epidemic; Search Engine
PubMed: 36875395
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1127813 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2022This systematic review synthesized literature on potential impacts of protracted isolation and other disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic on deaths of despair... (Review)
Review
This systematic review synthesized literature on potential impacts of protracted isolation and other disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic on deaths of despair (suicide, overdoses, and drug-related liver diseases). Five electronic databases were searched yielding 70 eligible articles. Extant evidence mostly from high-income countries indicates COVID-19-related disruption may not have influenced suicide rates so far, but there have been reports of increased drug-related and liver disease mortality. Minority groups and women were more vulnerable, indicating the need for stronger equity focus on pandemic recovery and resilience strategies. Further high-quality studies with longer-term follow-up, especially from low-income countries, will inform these strategies.
Topics: COVID-19; Drug Overdose; Female; Humans; Income; Pandemics; Suicide
PubMed: 36232135
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912835 -
Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) Dec 2014The Extracorporeal Treatments in Poisoning (EXTRIP) workgroup was created to provide evidence and consensus-based recommendations on the use of extracorporeal treatments... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
The Extracorporeal Treatments in Poisoning (EXTRIP) workgroup was created to provide evidence and consensus-based recommendations on the use of extracorporeal treatments (ECTRs) in poisoning.
OBJECTIVES
To perform a systematic review and provide clinical recommendations for ECTR in carbamazepine poisoning.
METHODS
After a systematic literature search, the subgroup extracted the data and summarized the findings following a pre-determined format. The entire workgroup voted via a two-round modified Delphi method to reach a consensus on voting statements, using a RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method to quantify disagreement. Anonymous votes were compiled, returned, and discussed in person. A second vote determined the final recommendations.
RESULTS
Seventy-four articles met inclusion criteria. Articles included case reports, case series, descriptive cohorts, pharmacokinetic studies, and in-vitro studies; two poor-quality observational studies were identified, yielding a very low quality of evidence for all recommendations. Data on 173 patients, including 6 fatalities, were reviewed. The workgroup concluded that carbamazepine is moderately dialyzable and made the following recommendations: ECTR is suggested in severe carbamazepine poisoning (2D). ECTR is recommended if multiple seizures occur and are refractory to treatment (1D), or if life-threatening dysrhythmias occur (1D). ECTR is suggested if prolonged coma or respiratory depression requiring mechanical ventilation are present (2D) or if significant toxicity persists, particularly when carbamazepine concentrations rise or remain elevated, despite using multiple-dose activated charcoal (MDAC) and supportive measures (2D). ECTR should be continued until clinical improvement is apparent (1D) or the serum carbamazepine concentration is below 10 mg/L (42 the μ in μmol/L looks weird.) (2D). Intermittent hemodialysis is the preferred ECTR (1D), but both intermittent hemoperfusion (1D) or continuous renal replacement therapies (3D) are alternatives if hemodialysis is not available. MDAC therapy should be continued during ECTR (1D).
CONCLUSION
Despite the low quality of the available clinical evidence and the high protein binding capacity of carbamazepine, the workgroup suggested extracorporeal removal in cases of severe carbamazepine poisoning.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anticonvulsants; Carbamazepine; Child; Child, Preschool; Consensus; Delphi Technique; Drug Overdose; Evidence-Based Medicine; Female; Hemoperfusion; Humans; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Renal Dialysis; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 25355482
DOI: 10.3109/15563650.2014.973572 -
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment Dec 2024Methotrexate is an off-label therapy for atopic dermatitis. A lack of consensus on dosing regimens poses a risk of underdosing and ineffective treatment or overdosing... (Review)
Review
Methotrexate is an off-label therapy for atopic dermatitis. A lack of consensus on dosing regimens poses a risk of underdosing and ineffective treatment or overdosing and increased risk of side effects. This systematic review summarizes the available evidence on dosing regimens.A literature search was conducted, screening all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and guidelines published up to 6 July 2023, in the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases.Five RCTs and 21 guidelines were included. RCTs compared methotrexate with other treatments rather than different methotrexate dosing regimens. The start and maintenance doses in RCTs varied between 7.5-15 mg/week and 14.5-25 mg/week, respectively. Despite varied dosing, all RCTs demonstrated efficacy in improving atopic dermatitis signs and symptoms. Guidelines exhibited substantial heterogeneity but predominantly proposed starting doses of 5-15 mg/week for adults and 10-15 mg/m/week for children. Maintenance doses suggested were 7.5-25 mg/week for adults and 0.2-0.7 mg/kg/week for children. One guideline suggested a test dose and nearly half advised folic acid supplementation.This systematic review highlights the lack of methotrexate dosing guidelines for atopic dermatitis. It identifies commonly recommended and utilized dosing regimens, serving as a valuable resource for clinicians prescribing methotrexate off-label and providing input for an upcoming consensus study.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Methotrexate; Dermatitis, Atopic
PubMed: 38124505
DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2023.2292962