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

Start Date

4-4-2024 1:00 PM

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© Copyright the author(s)

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Creative Commons License or Rights Statement

IN COPYRIGHT:
© Copyright the author(s)
https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/41991

Subjects

Adolescents, Opioids, Substance abuse -- Treatment -- 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.

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Apr 4th, 1:00 PM

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.