Systematic Review of long-term and related effects (including additional drug misuse) of outpatient opioid prescriptions in adolescents and transitional youth
Presenter Biography
Shay Houston is a 3rd year MPH student within the OHSU-PSU SPH program. Shay Houston works full-time in the research department at CODA Inc. in Portland, Oregon, working primarily in methamphetamine and opioid use disorder research.
Institution
OHSU
Program/Major
Public Health
Degree
MPH
Presentation Type
Poster
Event Website
NA
Start Date
4-4-2024 1:00 PM
Keywords
Adolescents; opioid use; substance use disorder; substance use treatment; drug misuse; adolescent addictions; systematic review
Abstract
Background: Opioid use disorder (OUD) poses a significant threat to youth in the United States, contributing to unintentional injuries and fatalities. While previous research has explored OUD among adolescents in controlled inpatient settings, little attention has been given to the risks associated with outpatient opioid prescriptions. This systematic review examines the consequences of outpatient opioid prescriptions among adolescents and transitional youth, focusing on potential associations with increased opioid prescribing, future misuse, overdose, OUD diagnosis, substance use, and suicidality.
Methods: PubMed and Scopus were searched to identify articles investigating the link between opioid prescriptions and outcomes among adolescents and transitional youth (ages 12 to 25) in North America and Europe. Peer-reviewed original research studies were included, while studies focusing solely on predictors of chronic opioid use or specific medical contexts were excluded. Abstract and full-text reviews, as well as data extraction, were conducted independently by at least two reviewers.
Results: Among 313 non-duplicate abstracts, 16 articles met inclusion criteria. Findings revealed that a substantial portion of subjects received additional opioid prescriptions, often at increased dosages. Reports of opioid misuse, overdose, and formal OUD diagnoses were prevalent, though follow-up treatment for OUD was limited. Suicidality and concurrent benzodiazepine use were also documented in a minority of studies.
Conclusions: The review underscores the adverse outcomes associated with outpatient opioid prescriptions for adolescents and transitional youth. While data indicate high rates of misuse and overdose, there is a dearth of information on formal OUD diagnoses and subsequent treatment, suggesting gaps in available services. Further research is imperative to comprehensively understand the long-term impacts and adverse consequences of outpatient opioid prescriptions in this vulnerable population, especially amidst the escalating opioid crisis.
Systematic Review of long-term and related effects (including additional drug misuse) of outpatient opioid prescriptions in adolescents and transitional youth
Background: Opioid use disorder (OUD) poses a significant threat to youth in the United States, contributing to unintentional injuries and fatalities. While previous research has explored OUD among adolescents in controlled inpatient settings, little attention has been given to the risks associated with outpatient opioid prescriptions. This systematic review examines the consequences of outpatient opioid prescriptions among adolescents and transitional youth, focusing on potential associations with increased opioid prescribing, future misuse, overdose, OUD diagnosis, substance use, and suicidality.
Methods: PubMed and Scopus were searched to identify articles investigating the link between opioid prescriptions and outcomes among adolescents and transitional youth (ages 12 to 25) in North America and Europe. Peer-reviewed original research studies were included, while studies focusing solely on predictors of chronic opioid use or specific medical contexts were excluded. Abstract and full-text reviews, as well as data extraction, were conducted independently by at least two reviewers.
Results: Among 313 non-duplicate abstracts, 16 articles met inclusion criteria. Findings revealed that a substantial portion of subjects received additional opioid prescriptions, often at increased dosages. Reports of opioid misuse, overdose, and formal OUD diagnoses were prevalent, though follow-up treatment for OUD was limited. Suicidality and concurrent benzodiazepine use were also documented in a minority of studies.
Conclusions: The review underscores the adverse outcomes associated with outpatient opioid prescriptions for adolescents and transitional youth. While data indicate high rates of misuse and overdose, there is a dearth of information on formal OUD diagnoses and subsequent treatment, suggesting gaps in available services. Further research is imperative to comprehensively understand the long-term impacts and adverse consequences of outpatient opioid prescriptions in this vulnerable population, especially amidst the escalating opioid crisis.
https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/publichealthpdx/2024/Posters/14