Researchers from East Tennessee State University Report on Findings in Opioid Crisis (Rise In Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Rate Is Associated With Increase In Buprenorphine Prescription Numbers).

A recent study conducted by researchers from East Tennessee State University examined the relationship between the rise in neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) rates and the increase in buprenorphine prescriptions in southern Appalachia. The study found a significant linear association between the rising rate of NAS diagnoses and the rising rate of buprenorphine prescriptions. Additionally, there was a correlation between the increase in buprenorphine prescriptions and the rise in drug-induced deaths. The researchers suggest a reevaluation of buprenorphine prescribing recommendations during pregnancy and further research on establishing the lowest effective dose for pregnant patients. [Extracted from the article]