Younger age at intracranial aneurysms rupture among patients with opioid use disorders

BackgroundAssociation between opioid abuse and intracranial aneurysms rupture has been suggested in recent studies. However, these observations are limited to single center studies and could be benefited from validation in larger cohorts. Hence, we aimed to study the association between age at aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and opioid use disorders (OUD) using a large, national database.MethodsThis study was conducted using the 2016 and 2017 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) with ICD-10 codes. Cohorts were categorized as “Non-users”, “OUD”, and “Multi-drug users”. Linear regression models were used to examine the association between OUD and multi-drug users with age at aneurysm rupture, and multiple logistic regression models were used for the association between in-hospital mortality and drug abuse.ResultsA total of 17,391 patients with aSAH were captured in the 2016 and 2017 NIS database. Out of these patients, 235 (1.4%) were included in the OUD group and 59 (0.3%) in the multi-drug users’ group. Adjusted linear regression showed an unstandardized coefficient (UC) = −12.3 [95%CI = −14.4/−10.1, p < 0.001] for OUD patients and an UC = −16.8 [95%CI = −21.1/−12.5, p < 0.001] for multi-drug users, compared to non-users. The risk of in-hospital mortality was significantly increased in drug user, OR = 1.47 [95%CI: 1.1–2.01, p = 0.017] for OUD patients, and OR = 2.35 [95%CI: 1.35–4.11, p = 0.003] for multi-drug users.ConclusionsThis is the first national study to examine the association between age at intracranial aneurysms rupture and opioid abuse. aSAH patients with history of OUD were 12 years younger compared to non-users, when OUD was combined with other drugs, the age at aneurysms rupture was 17 years younger. Further elucidation regarding the mechanisms by which opioids triggers aneurysms rupture and predispose to worsen outcomes following aSAH is required, as well as appropriate prevention, and management strategies for aSAH patients with OUD.     

Management of opioid medications in patients with chronic pain and risk of substance misuse

When prescribed appropriately and used as prescribed, opioid medications can safely and effectively treat pain. Best practices with respect to their use in chronic non-cancer-related pain (CNCP) are evolving. Opioids may be subject to misuse for a variety of purposes, including self-medication, use for reward, compulsive use because of addiction, and diversion for profit. Individuals with chronic pain and co-occurring substance use, mental health disorders, and other conditions may be at increased risk for misuse of prescribed opioids. Interdisciplinary pain management, the use of universal precautions in all patients, and special attention to the structure of care in those at higher risk for opioid misuse may improve outcomes in opioid treatment of CNCP. This article discusses evolving research and clinical literature related to the care of individuals with CNCP at a higher risk for opioid misuse.     

Transcutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation reduces behavioral and physiological manifestations of withdrawal in patients with opioid use disorder: A double-blind,randomized, sham-controlled pilot study

BackgroundOpioid Use Disorder (OUD) is a serious public health problem, and the behavioral and physiological effects of opioid withdrawal can be a major impediment to recovery. Medication for OUD is currently the mainstay of treatment; however, it has limitations and alternative approaches are needed.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess the effects of transcutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation (tcVNS) on behavioral and physiological manifestations of acute opioid withdrawal.MethodsPatients with OUD undergoing acute opioid withdrawal were randomly assigned to receive double blind active tcVNS (N = 10) or sham stimulation (N = 11) while watching neutral and opioid cue videos. Subjective opioid withdrawal, opioid craving, and anxiety were measured using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Distress was measured using the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS), and pain was measured using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain. Electrocardiogram signals were measured to compute heart rate. The primary outcomes of this initial phase of the clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04556552) were heart rate and craving.ResultstcVNS compared to sham resulted in statistically significant reductions in subjective opioid withdrawal (p = .047), pain (p = .045), and distress (p = .004). In addition, tcVNS was associated with lower heart rate compared to sham (p = .026). Craving did not significantly differ between groups (p = .11).ConclusionstcVNS reduces behavioral and physiological manifestations of opioid withdrawal, and should be evaluated in future studies as a possible non-pharmacologic, easily implemented approach for adjunctive OUD treatment.     

The appropriate use of opiates in chronic pain

Chronic pain is a common but undertreated health problem in the United States. Opioids are effective for moderate-to-severe chronic pain, but these drugs must be used with care due to the risks for overdose and addiction. When initiating opioid treatment, physicians should perform a complete patient history, physical exam, and other appropriate testing and also assess the patient's risk for substance misuse, abuse, or addiction. Patients should be monitored regularly for both improvement of function and for aberrant drug behaviors. With proper monitoring and risk management, patients with chronic pain can be treated effectively and safely with opioids.     

Anger management style,blood pressure reactivity,and acute pain sensitivity: Evidence for “trait × situation” models

Background: Anger management style is related to acute and chronic pain, but it is not clear whether anger arousal is needed for these associations to emerge or whether physiological mechanisms mediate these links.Purpose: “Trait × Situation” models were examined to determine whether relationships between anger-out and pain and anger-in and pain depended on anger provocation’s preceding pain induction and whether pain sensitivity variance explained by anger management style overlapped with variance in harassment-induced blood pressure reactivity.Methods: Healthy individuals (N = 53) underwent either mental arithmetic with harassment and then a cold pressor (MA/CP) or vice versa (CP/MA). The Spielberger Anger Expression Inventory assessed anger-out using the Anger-Out subscale (AOS) and anger-in using the Anger-In subscale (AIS).Results: AOS × Order and AIS × Order interactions for pain tolerance emerged, such that (a) AOS was related negatively to tolerance among MA/CP participants, whereas AOS and tolerance were not related in CP/MA; (b) AIS was related positively to tolerance in MA/CP, whereas AIS was related negatively to tolerance in CP/MA; and (c) tolerance variance accounted for by AOS in MA/CP overlapped substantially with tolerance variance accounted for by diastolic blood pressure reactivity.Conclusions: Findings support the notion that anger management style affects pain and are consistent with evidence that deficient endogenous opioid functioning may be one mechanism through which anger-out is linked to both pain sensitivity and cardiovascular stress reactivity, a connection that appears most reliably when anger is provoked. This research was partly supported by Grant NS37164 from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, awarded to John W. Burns, Ph.D., and by Grant NS38145 from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, awarded to Stephen Bruehl, Ph.D.     

Effects of opioids on the parental brain in health and disease

The epidemic of opioid use disorder (OUD) directly affects millions of women of child-bearing age. Unfortunately, parenting behaviors – among the most important processes for human survival – are vulnerable to the effects of OUD. The standard of care for pregnant women with OUD is opioid maintenance therapy (OMT), of which the primary objective is to mitigate addiction-related stress. The aim of this review is to synthesize current information specific to pregnancy and parenting that may be affected by OUD. We first summarize a model of the parental brain supported by animal research and human neuroimaging. We then review animal models of exogenous opioid effects on parental brain and behavior. We also present preliminary data for a unifying hypothesis that may link different effects of exogenous opioids on parenting across species and in the context of OMT. Finally, we discuss future directions that may inform research and clinical decision making for peripartum women with OUD.     

The missing ‘P’ in pain management: how the current opioid epidemic highlights the need for psychiatric services in chronic pain care

Objective

The prevalence of opioid therapy for chronic noncancer pain has increased dramatically in recent years, with a parallel increase in opioid abuse, misuse and deaths from accidental overdose. We review epidemiological and clinical data that point to the important roles psychiatric disorders have in the use and abuse of opioids in patients with chronic pain.

Method

We conducted literature searches on the PubMed with the key phrases “chronic pain” and “opioid therapy” and selected those articles on the epidemiology of comorbidity between chronic pain and psychiatric disorders, the trends in long-term opioid therapy and the clinical trials that involved using opioid therapy for chronic pain or for mental health disorders. We then thoroughly reviewed the bibliography of all relevant articles to identify additional papers to be included in the present review.

Results

Chronic pain is highly comorbid with common psychiatric disorders. Patients with mental health and substance abuse disorders are more likely to receive long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain and more likely to have adverse outcomes from this therapy. Although opioids may exert brief antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in some patients with depression or anxiety, there is scant evidence for long-term benefit from opioid treatment of psychiatric disorders.

Conclusions

Opioids may be used in current clinical practice as the de facto and only psychiatric treatment for patients with chronic pain, despite little evidence for sustained benefit. The opioid epidemic thus reflects a serious unmet need for better recognition and treatment of common mental health problems in patients with chronic pain. Psychiatry is the missing P in chronic pain care.     

Individualized Prospective Prediction of Opioid Use Disorder

ObjectiveOpioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic relapsing disorder with a problematic pattern of opioid use, affecting nearly 27 million people worldwide. Machine learning (ML)-based prediction of OUD may lead to early detection and intervention. However, most ML prediction studies were not based on representative data sources and prospective validations, limiting their potential to predict future new cases. In the current study, we aimed to develop and prospectively validate an ML model that could predict individual OUD cases based on representative large-scale health data.MethodWe present an ensemble machine-learning model trained on a cross-linked Canadian administrative health data set from 2014 to 2018 (n  =  699,164), with validation of model-predicted OUD cases on a hold-out sample from 2014 to 2018 (n  =  174,791) and prospective prediction of OUD cases on a non-overlapping sample from 2019 (n  =  316,039). We used administrative records of OUD diagnosis for each subject based on International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes.ResultsWith 6409 OUD cases in 2019 (mean [SD], 45.34 [14.28], 3400 males), our model prospectively predicted OUD cases at a high accuracy (balanced accuracy, 86%, sensitivity, 93%; specificity 79%). In accord with prior findings, the top risk factors for OUD in this model were opioid use indicators and a history of other substance use disorders.ConclusionOur study presents an individualized prospective prediction of OUD cases by applying ML to large administrative health datasets. Such prospective predictions based on ML would be essential for potential future clinical applications in the early detection of OUD.     

Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in Canadian Psychosocial Addiction Programs: A National Survey of Policy,Attitudes, and Practice

ObjectiveTo describe current approaches in treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) within Canadian psychosocial outpatient, day, and residential addiction treatment programs, with an emphasis on the use of opioid agonist therapy (OAT).MethodAn online census survey was conducted in English and French of Canadian psychosocial addiction treatment programs (N = 214).ResultsPrograms estimated that 25% of their clients have OUD. A slight majority of programs provide some type of specialized services to clients with OUD (58%), most frequently providing or facilitating access to OAT but also specialized counselling, case management, education, and harm reduction services.Most programs reported that they admitted clients on OAT (88%) and only a minority expected or encouraged clients to taper (14%) or discontinue (6%). Programs focusing on client abstinence as the treatment goal were more likely to expect or encourage tapering or discontinuation than programs that focus on helping clients achieve personal consumption goals. Of programs that did not currently facilitate OAT, 44% indicated that they would provide OAT, but lacked the necessary accreditation, physician support, or other resources. No philosophical objections to OAT were noted.OAT initiation was provided by 30% of programs, 23% referred to another service within their organization, and 29% referred to a service outside their organization. The remaining 18% did not facilitate OAT initiation at all, ranging from 0% in Quebec to 23% in the Prairies. Overdose response kits were provided by 86% of programs. The majority not providing kits indicated willingness if policy support and resources were provided (67%).ConclusionsOverall, the results demonstrate that psychosocial programs provide some specialized services for OUD but desire further support specifically to provide OAT, including training, knowledge, and the expertise of individuals qualified to prescribe and dispense OAT. Many psychosocial treatment programs expressed a need for staff and resources for this purpose.     

Dissociative psychopathology among opioid use disorder patients: exploring the “chemical dissociation” hypothesis

Background

Although early trauma is a well-recognized risk factor for both dissociation and substance abuse, there are inconsistent reports on the association between substance abuse and dissociation. This inconsistency may be resolved by the “chemical dissociation” hypothesis that suggests that some substance abuse patients may not exhibit high levels of dissociation, despite their trauma history, because they may achieve dissociative-like states through chemicals consumption. This article describes 2 studies aimed to (a) assess the incidence of dissociative psychopathology among recovering opioid use disorder (OUD) patients and (b) examine the chemical dissociation hypothesis.

Methods

One hundred forty-nine patients receiving treatment in a heroin recovery program and 46 controls were administered self-report measures of dissociation and childhood maltreatment in study 1. A similar battery and an assessment of addiction severity were completed by 50 methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) patients and 30 detoxified OUD patients in study 2. In addition, Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition Dissociative Disorders-Revised was administered to a subsample of MMT and detoxified OUD patients.

Results

Patients with OUD reported higher levels of child maltreatment and dissociation than controls. Although MMT and detoxified patients did not differ in severity of addiction and child maltreatment, detoxified outpatients had higher levels of dissociation than MMT outpatients: 23% of the detoxified patients and 12% of the MMT patients were diagnosed with a dissociative disorder.

Conclusions

These findings support the chemical dissociation hypothesis of OUD and suggest that detoxification programs should take into consideration the high incidence of comorbid dissociative disorders among their recovering OUD patients.     

Late- and Typical-Onset Heroin Use Among Older Adults Seeking Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

ObjectiveAnalyze 10-year trends in opioid use disorder with heroin (OUD-H) among older persons and to compare those with typical-onset (age <30 years) to those with late (age 30+) onset.DesignNaturalistic observation using the most recent (2008–2017) Treatment Episode Data Set-Admissions (TEDS-A).SettingAdmission records in TEDS-A come from all public and private U.S. programs for substance use disorder treatment receiving public funding.ParticipantsU.S. adults aged 55 years and older entering treatment for the first time between 2008 and 2017 to treat OUD-H.MeasurementsAdmission trends, demographics, substance use history.ResultsThe number of older adults who entered treatment for OUD-H nearly tripled between 2007 and 2017. Compared to those with typical-onset (before age 30), those with late-onset heroin use were more likely to be white, female, more highly educated, and rural. Older adults with late-onset were more likely to be referred to treatment by an employer and less likely to be referred by the criminal justice system. Those with late-onset were more likely to use heroin more frequently but less likely to inject heroin than those with typical-onset. Those with typical onset were more likely to receive medication for addiction treatment than those with late-onset.ConclusionLate-onset heroin use is increasing among older U.S. adults. Research is needed to understand the unique needs of this population better. As this population grows, geriatric psychiatrists may be increasingly called upon to provide specialized care to people with late-onset OUD-H.     

The World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) Guidelines for the Biological Treatment of Substance Use and Related Disorders. Part 2: Opioid dependence

Abstract

Objectives. To develop evidence-based practice guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of opioid abuse and dependence. Methods. An international task force of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) developed these practice guidelines after a systematic review of the available evidence pertaining to the treatment of opioid dependence. On the basis of the evidence, the Task Force reached a consensus on practice recommendations, which are intended to be clinically and scientifically meaningful for physicians who treat adults with opioid dependence. The data used to develop these guidelines were extracted primarily from national treatment guidelines for opioid use disorders, as well as from meta-analyses, reviews, and publications of randomized clinical trials on the efficacy of pharmacological and other biological treatments for these disorders. Publications were identified by searching the MEDLINE database and the Cochrane Library. The literature was evaluated with respect to the strength of evidence for efficacy, which was categorized into one of six levels (A–F). Results. There is an excellent evidence base supporting the efficacy of methadone and buprenorphine or the combination of buprenorphine and naloxone for the treatment of opioid withdrawal, with clonidine and lofexidine as secondary or adjunctive medications. Opioid maintenance with methadone and buprenorphine is the best-studied and most effective treatment for opioid dependence, with heroin and naltrexone as second-line medications. Conclusions. There is enough high quality data to formulate evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of opioid abuse and dependence. This task force report provides evidence for the efficacy of a number of medications to treat opioid abuse and dependence, particularly the opioid agonists methadone or buprenorphine. These medications have great relevance for clinical practice.     

Adapting behavioural interventions to compensate for cognitive dysfunction in persons with opioid use disorder

Treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) is often in the context of biobehavioural interventions, consisting of medication for OUD (for example, methadone and buprenorphine), which is accompanied by psychoeducation and/or behavioural therapies. Patients with OUD often display weaknesses in cognitive function that may impact the efficacy of such behavioural interventions.A review of the literature was conducted to: (1) describe common cognitive dysfunction profiles among patients with OUD, (2) outline intervention approaches for patients with OUD, (3) consider the cognitive demands that interventions place on patients with OUD and (4) identify potential accommodation strategies that may be used to optimise treatment outcomes.Cognitive profiles of patients with OUD often include weaknesses in executive function, attention, memory and information processing. Behavioural interventions require the patients’ ability to learn, understand and remember information (placing specific cognitive demands on patients). Accommodation strategies are, therefore, needed for patients with challenges in one or more of these areas. Research on accommodation strategies for patients with OUD is very limited. We applied research from populations with similar cognitive profiles to form a comprehensive collection of potential strategies to compensate for cognitive dysfunction among patients with OUD. The cognitive profiles and accommodation strategies included in this review are intended to inform future intervention research aimed at improving outcomes among patients with OUD.