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Patterns of opioid prescriptions received prior to unintentional prescription opioid overdose death among Veterans.
- Source :
- Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy; Aug2019, Vol. 15 Issue 8, p1007-1013, 7p
- Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- <bold>Background: </bold>Few studies have assessed prescription opioid supply preceding death in individuals dying from unintentional prescription opioid overdoses, or described the characteristics of these individuals, particularly among Veterans.<bold>Objectives: </bold>To describe the history of prescription opioid supply preceding prescription opioid overdose death among Veterans.<bold>Methods: </bold>In a national cohort of Veterans who filled ≥1 opioid prescriptions from the Veterans Health Administration (VA) or Medicare Part D during 2008-2013, we identified deaths from unintentional or undetermined-intent prescription opioid overdoses in 2012-2013. We captured opioid prescriptions using both linked VA and Part D data, and VA data only.<bold>Results: </bold>Among 1181 decedents, 643 (54.4%) had prescription opioid supply on the day of death, and 735 (62.2%) within 30 days based on linked data, compared to 40.1% and 46.7%, respectively, using VA data alone. Decedents with prescription opioid supply were significantly older and less likely to have alcohol or illicit drugs as co-occurring substances involved in the overdose. Using linked data, 241 (20.4%) decedents lacked prescription opioid supply within a year of death.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Many VA patients who die from prescription opioid overdose receive opioid prescriptions outside VA or not at all. It is important to supplement VA with non-VA data to more accurately measure prescription opioid exposure and improve opioid medication safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 15517411
- Volume :
- 15
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- Supplemental Index
- Journal :
- Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 137416954
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2018.10.023