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Background “Doctor shopping” typically refers to patients that seek controlled substance prescriptions from multiple providers with the presumed intent to obtain these medications for non-medical use and/or diversion. The purpose of this scoping review is to document and examine the criteria used to identify “doctor shopping” from dispensing data in the United States. Methods A scoping review was conducted on “doctor shopping” or analogous terminology from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2020, using the Web of Science Core Collection (seven citation indexes). Our search was limited to the United States only, English-language, peer-reviewed and US federal government studies. Studies without explicit “doctor shopping” criteria were excluded. Key components of these criteria included the number of prescribers and dispensers, dispensing period, and drug class (e.g., opioids). Results Of 9,845 records identified, 95 articles met the inclusion criteria and our pool of studies ranged from years 2003 to 2020. The most common threshold-based or count definition was (≥4 Prescribers [P] AND ≥4 Dispensers [D]) (n = 12). Thirty-three studies used a 365-day detection window. Opioids alone were studied most commonly (n = 69), followed by benzodiazepines and stimulants (n = 5 and n = 2, respectively). Only 39 (41%) studies provided specific drug lists with active ingredients. Conclusion Relatively simple P x D criteria for identifying “doctor shopping” are still the dominant paradigm with the need for ongoing validation. The value of P x D criteria may change through time with more diverse methods applied to dispensing data emerging.

Objective To evaluate the impact of the 12 January 2010 earthquake on HIV cases from Haiti's national HIV surveillance system and assess the characteristics of people living with HIV 1-year before and after the earthquake. Design An interrupted time-series design and cross-sectional analysis. Methods We used autoregressive integrated moving average structures to model abrupt changes to the monthly, incident HIV case counts from HIV care clinics as reported to the Haitian Active Longitudinal Tracking of HIV System (French acronym SALVH) by clinical networks (n = 3) and earthquake instrumental intensity zones (n = 4). Preearthquake and postearthquake differences in patient-level characteristics including clinical values were examined using the χ test, t tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results In the month immediately following the earthquake, all three clinical networks experienced statistically significant declines in cases reported: iSante (-31.4%), Groupe Haitien d'Etude du Sarcome de Kaposi et des Infections Opportunistes (-29.9%) and Zamni Lasante (-32.2%). Zone 8 (the most severe) was the only area with a statistically significant decline (-45.5%). Of the three clinical networks, only iSante returned to preearthquake reporting levels by the end of our study period. Patient-level characteristics did not change dramatically after the earthquake. Conclusion Despite case reporting declines, especially in clinics near the earthquake epicenter, SALVH remained intact with less impact than expected. This national system is a critical component of Haiti's strategic health information system initiative and plays a central role to HIV monitoring and evaluation efforts.

Kentucky has one of the highest opioid overdose mortality rates in the United States. Accurate estimates of people with opioid use disorder (OUD) are critical to plan for the scope of interventions required to reduce overdose and opioid misuse. Commonly used household surveys are known to underestimate OUD at the state-level and do not provide county-level estimates.We performed a multi-sample capture-recapture analysis to estimate OUD prevalence in Kentucky in 2018 and 2019. We utilized four statewide datasets that were linked at the individual level: 1) Registry of Vital Statistics, 2) Emergency Medical Services (EMS), 3) Kentucky's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), and 4) Kentucky Medicaid. We included persons aged 18-64 years who resided in Kentucky between 2018 and 2019. We identified individuals with administrative data consistent with OUD in each of the datasets, including a fatal opioid-involved overdose (Vital Statistics), EMS runs for suspected opioid overdose, receipt of buprenorphine for OUD treatment (PDMP), or Medicaid claims for OUD. Observed and estimated counts of OUD cases and prevalence of OUD among the adult population in Kentucky.The estimated statewide OUD prevalence was 5.5 % and 5.9 % for 2018 and 2019, respectively, ranging from 1.3 % to 17.7 % across Kentucky counties. As expected, counties with the highest OUD rates were Appalachian counties (eastern area) of the state.Our analysis reveals a substantially larger proportion of KY residents have OUD than previously estimated. Our approach offers a model for states needing county-level estimates of OUD.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text., Objective: Morphine-standardized doses are used in clinical practice and research to account for molecular potency. Ninety milligrams of morphine equivalents (MME) per day are considered a “high dose” risk threshold in guidelines, laws, and by payers. Although ubiquitously cited, the “CDC definition” of daily MME lacks a clearly defined denominator. Our objective was to assess denominator-dependency on “high dose” classification across competing definitions. Methods: To identify definitional variants, we reviewed literature and electronic prescribing tools, yielding 4 unique definitions. Using Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs data (July to September 2018), we conducted a population-based cohort study of 3,916,461 patients receiving outpatient opioid analgesics in California (CA) and Florida (FL). The binary outcome was whether patients were deemed “high dose” (>90 MME/d) compared across 4 definitions. We calculated I 2 for heterogeneity attributable to the definition. Results: Among 9,436,640 prescriptions, 42% overlapped, which led denominator definitions to impact daily MME values. Across definitions, average daily MME varied 3-fold (range: 17 to 52 [CA] and 23 to 65 mg [FL]). Across definitions, prevalence of “high dose” individuals ranged 5.9% to 14.2% (FL) and 3.5% to 10.3% (CA). Definitional variation alone would impact a hypothetical surveillance study trying to establish how much more “high dose” prescribing was present in FL than CA: from 39% to 84% more. Meta-analyses revealed strong heterogeneity (I 2 range: 86% to 99%). In sensitivity analysis, including unit interval 90.0 to 90.9 increased “high dose” population fraction by 15%. Discussion: While 90 MME may have cautionary mnemonic benefits, without harmonization of calculation, its utility is limited. Comparison between studies using daily MME requires explicit attention to definitional variation.

Pharmacoepidemiology is a field of study that seeks to understand the beneficial and harmful effects of drug utilization in populations of people. The discipline is an amalgam of clinical pharmacology, clinical epidemiology, medical informatics, and biostatistics. Also, pharmacoepidemiology can include the misuse/abuse of pharmaceutical drugs or even the study of drugs taken outside of the health-care system, such as illicit drugs. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a broad overview of pharmacoepidemiology from multiple experts currently working in this field.

Query of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) is recommended before prescribing opioids by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to inform clinical practice and aid diversion prevention. Many states mandate prescriber PDMP use; however, little is known about PDMP perception of utility and use among Obstetricians-Gynecologists (OB/GYN), who are the primary provider for most women during pregnancy. This study examined OB/GYN perceptions and utilization of their state PDMP. Survey items were developed by expert consensus. A voluntary anonymous survey was emailed to a random sample of 5000 OB/GYNs (adjusted participants n = 1470, minus unread/refusals). Responses were stratified by state policy environment, where response frequency distributions were compared for OB/GYNs practicing in states with mandatory vs voluntary PDMP query. Adjusted response rate was 27% (n = 397). Most OB/GYNs (78%) were registered with their PDMP. The majority agreed that “…mandating physician use of the PDMP was a good idea” (51.4% mandatory state vs 58.3% voluntary state). Respondents in mandatory states reported that the primary purpose of the PDMP was “to allow the physician to verify medications that the patient is being prescribed” less frequently than those in voluntary states (38.3% vs 52.8%). Several report speaking with patients about controlled substance prescriptions after viewing PDMP reports (27.8% in mandatory vs 26.3% in voluntary states). In qualitative responses, reported frustration with PDMPs was evident. OB/GYNs are diverse in their perceptions regarding the utility and purpose of PDMPs. Tailored education is needed regarding clinical utility of PDMPs for OB/GYN practice.

Background The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend clinicians use Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMPs) as a risk assessment tool for opioid-related harms. This survey assessed perceptions of PDMPs for the purpose of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) prevention among a national sample of obstetricians-gynecologists (OB/GYNs) who are the primary care providers for most pregnancies. Methods A survey was emailed to a random sample of active American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) members. Proxy data for the intensity of the opioid epidemic and state policies related to NAS were added to respondents survey answers. Chi-squared analyses were used to compare response frequencies. Results Among 397 submitted responses, nearly 70% identified PDMPs having a role in preventing diversion and opioid use disorders but only 25.1% identified PDMPs as a tool to prevent NAS. States with stricter NAS policies (e.g. child abuse, mandatory testing) generally had higher positive responses for PDMPs’ role in preventing NAS. States with voluntary PDMP use versus mandatory reported higher positive responses for PDMPs with NAS but differences were not statistically significant (30.6% vs. 23.8%, p = 0.374). State-specific measures of the overall intensity of the opioid epidemic were not associated with perceptions of PDMP. Conclusions OB/GYNs do not associate PDMPs as a primary prevention tool against NAS despite endorsements. Tailored educational interventions to this practice environment are needed. Pharmacist engagement with pregnant patients and as champions of PDMP usage may help fill these gaps.