Hmmm. “Surprising #VA Data About Opioid Discontinuation, #Overdose and #Suicide: Clinical Implications” Abstract is sobering. This may challenge some policy initiatives regarding #opioids. Can’t wait to see the presentation! vendome.swoogo.com/2018-rx-summit…
“Due to these concerns, the Veterans Affairs (VA) conducted analyses of national data:
1. In fiscal year 2013, patients prescribed less than 90 morphine equivalent daily dose accounted for 95.8% of the sample & 85.7% of overdose/suicide-related deaths
1. In fiscal year 2013, patients prescribed less than 90 morphine equivalent daily dose accounted for 95.8% of the sample & 85.7% of overdose/suicide-related deaths
2. In two sets of fiscal years — 2010-2011 and 2013-2014 — opioid discontinuation was NOT associated with overdose mortality but was associated with INCREASED suicide mortality.
3. In all analyses, patients with mental health or substance use disorders (MH/SUD) accounted for most overdose/suicide-related deaths.
I hope the authors consider @SubstanceAbuseJ to publish this work 😊
