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A study by researchers at Boston University shows that joint and back disorders appear to be the most important diagnoses in explaining the increased receipt of opioid prescriptions among obese patients. Electronic health records for primary care physicians in the United States were examined among patients whose BMI classified them as obese. The study found that patients who had a higher BMI and a pain diagnoses were more likely to receive a prescription for opioids. Osteoarthritis, joint disorders, and back pain made up a majority of the pain diagnoses among obese patients that led to an opioid prescription. To better address the opioid crisis, the findings suggest it is important to examine the intersections between obesity and opioid abuse from prescriptions for pain conditions. This study provides a better understanding of one of the sources for the underlying demand of opioid prescriptions.
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A recent study found that the financial hardships that many Americans are experiencing as a result of COVID-19 has been found to increase negative health behaviors. Boston University conducted a survey with more than 115,000 responses and found that 22 percent of Americans reported increased alcohol consumption. The survey asked about three financial stressors: change in pay, likelihood of retaining employment and ability to pay bills. The more of these financial hardships a person experienced, the greater the reported likelihood of negative health behavior changes. This survey highlights the need for organizations to be proactive in supporting their populations maintaining positive health behaviors in addition to controlling the spread of COVID-19.
Researchers with Beaumont Health Services of Michigan have begun the initial phases of studying whether or not naloxone may be helpful in the management of COVID-19 symptoms. Dr. Matthew Sims and his co-researchers will be studying if naloxone, as well as anesthetic ketamine, can help to reduce bodily swelling experienced by COVID-19 patients. This research is only in the beginning phases in order to investigate what combination of these two medications may aid in treatment. The overall goal of this research is to find medications that prevent COVID-19 patients from progressing into later phases of the disease when their life becomes at risk or help reduce the severity of disease to lower the risk on their life.
A synthetic opioid called isotonitazene has been linked to numerous overdose deaths in Indiana, Ohio and Illinois. This synthetic opioid comes in a white or off-white powder that is pressed into counterfeit opioid pills. Isotonitazene is not detected in standard toxicology screenings and is not currently on the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s controlled substance list. The first known overdose case from this new synthetic opioid was in Peoria County, Illinois, in December 2019 through an expanded toxicology screening requested by the county coroner. These new reports demonstrate the need to stay aware of new strains of drugs being consumed and to update overdose resources appropriately.
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