Evaluation of erector spinae plane block in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy in terms of postoperative pain reduction and patient satisfaction.

OBJECTIVES: Intravenous opioids and local anesthetic infiltrations are traditionally used to relieve postoperative pain. With developments in the field of regional anesthesia, several methods are now available for postoperative analgesia. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of the erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in reducing both intraoperative opioid consumption and postoperative analgesic use in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). METHODS: A total of 60 patients who underwent PCNL were divided into two groups: 30 patients who received ESPB (Group I) and 30 patients in the control group (Group II). Intraoperative and postoperative opioid usage were recorded for both groups. The pain levels of the patients were evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) scores obtained at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively. Postoperative satisfaction of the patients in both groups was also questioned and compared. RESULTS: A significant difference was detected between Group I and Group II patients in terms of intraoperative opioid require-ments (p=0.00), analgesic requirements in the first 24 hours postoperatively (p=0.00), patient satisfaction status (p=0.00), and VAS scores obtained at 0, 3, 6, and 12 hours postoperatively. No significant difference was found in VAS scores at the 24th postoperative hour. CONCLUSION: ESPB is a simple, convenient technique that can be performed under ultrasound guidance. It provides remarkable postoperative analgesia and satisfaction in patients undergoing PCNL.

Prescribing Benzodiazepines and Opioids and Clinical Characteristics Associated With 30-Day Hospital Return in Patients Aged ≥75 Years: Secondary Data Analysis.

PURPOSE: The current study compared prevalence of opioid or benzodiazepine (BZD) prescription and co-prescription of opioids and BZD at discharge and return to a community hospital within 30 days, as well as identified clinical characteristics associated with hospital return in patients aged ≥75 years. METHOD: A secondary analysis of a database created during implementation of the Safe Transitions for At Risk Patients program at a 400-bed community teaching hospital in south Florida was conducted. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify significant demographic and clinical characteristics associated with return to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. RESULTS: A total of 24,262 participants (52.6% women) with a mean age of 85.3 (SD = 6.42) years were included. More than 20% in each central nervous system prescription group (i.e., opioids only, BZD only, opioids and BZD) returned to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. Demographic and chronic conditions (e.g., congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes) and poly-pharmacy were significant factors of a 30-day return to the hospital. CONCLUSION: Findings highlight the importance of hospital nurses' role in identifying high-risk patients, educating patients and caregivers, monitoring them closely, communicating with primary care physicians and specialists, and conducting intensive follow up via telephone to avoid 30-day rehospitalization. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(4), 25-33.].

Opioid utilization after orthopaedic trauma hospitalization among Medicaid-insured adults.

Opioids are vital to pain management and sedation after trauma-related hospitalization. However, there are many confounding clinical, social, and environmental factors that exacerbate pain, post-injury care needs, and receipt of opioid prescriptions following orthopaedic trauma. This retrospective study sought to characterize differences in opioid prescribing and dosing in a national Medicaid eligible sample from 2010-2018. The study population included adults, discharged after orthopaedic trauma hospitalization, and receiving an opioid prescription within 30 days of discharge. Patients were identified using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9; ICD-10) codes for inpatient diagnosis and procedure. Filled opioid prescriptions were identified from National Drug Codes and converted to morphine milligram equivalents (MME). Opioid receipt and dosage (e.g., morphine milligram equivalents [MME]) were examined as the main outcomes using regressions and analyzed by year, sex, race/ethnicity, residence rurality-urbanicity, and geographic region. The study population consisted of 86,091 injured Medicaid-enrolled adults; 35.3% received an opioid prescription within 30 days of discharge. Male patients (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.07-1.18) and those between 31-50 years of age (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.08-1.22) were found to have increased odds ratio of receiving an opioid within 30 days of discharge, compared to female and younger patients, respectively. Patients with disabilities (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.71-0.80), prolonged hospitalizations, and both Black (OR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.83-0.92) and Hispanic patients (OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.66-0.77), relative to white patients, had lower odds ratio of receiving an opioid prescription following trauma. Additionally, Black and Hispanic patients received lower prescription doses compared to white patients. Individuals hospitalized in the Southeastern United States and those between the ages of 51-65 age group were found to be prescribed lower average daily MME. There were significant variations in opioid prescribing practices by race, sex, and region. National guidelines for use of opioids and other pain management interventions in adults after trauma hospitalization may help limit practice variation and reduce implicit bias and potential harms in outpatient opioid usage.

Pattern of Prescribing Analgesics and Their Response in Cancer Patients Attending Outpatient Department of Palliative Care Service in Two Teaching Hospitals of Bangladesh.

Palliative care is a valued aspect of clinical care which is an urgent humanitarian need for people worldwide with cancer and other chronic fatal diseases. Patients experience many different symptoms including severe pain in advanced cancer. Palliative care focuses on relief from symptoms, pain and stress by using different analgesics and adjuvant. The goal of palliative care is to improve the quality of life. So, this prospective observational study was carried out to assess pattern of drugs used and their response to pain in cancer patients attending out-patient department of palliative care service in two teaching hospitals of Bangladesh. One hundred forty (140) cancer patients were purposively selected who attended in out-patient department of palliative care unit in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) from July 2018 to June 2019. Outcome variables were commonly presenting complaints, pain intensity, commonly prescribed drugs and analgesic prescription according to WHO three-step analgesic ladder, etc. The mean age ±SD of the respondents was 51.30±15.38 years, male-female ratio 1:1. Common sites of cancer were alimentary origin (20.0%), genitourinary system (17.86%), hepatobiliary system (11.43%), respiratory system (10.71%). The prescribed drugs were analgesics (96.4%), PPIs (74.3%), laxatives (62.1%), anti-emetics (38.6%), multivitamins (32.9%), H2 antagonists (17.1%), sedatives (17.1%), and corticosteroids (8.6%). Level 1 analgesics (Paracetamol or other NSAIDs) were prescribed to 42.65%, level 2 analgesics (Tramadol) were prescribed to 50.00% patients and level 3 analgesics (Morphine) were prescribed to 51.42% patients. The relation between and receiving three levels of analgesic prescriptions was statistically significant. The association between level of analgesic prescription was significant with site of cancer (p<0.001) and intensity of pain (p<0.001). This study showed that morphine was prescribed to more than half of the patients. Other level of analgesics were also used either single or in combination. Younger and male patients were treated more with level III analgesics. Prescribing analgesics were dependent on sites of cancer and intensity of pain.

Prescription opioid use increases resource utilization following ventral hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies showed that preoperative opioid use is associated with increased postoperative opioid use and surgical site infection (SSI) in patients undergoing ventral hernia repair (VHR). Orthopedic surgery literature cites increased resource utilization with opioid use. This study aimed to determine the effect of preoperative opioid use on resource utilization after open VHR. METHODS: A retrospective institutional review board-approved study of VHRs from a single tertiary care practice between 2013 and 2020 was performed. Medical records, the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, and Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting data were reviewed for patient demographics, comorbidities, dispensed opiate prescriptions, hernia characteristics, and outcomes. Univariate logistic regression analyses assessed the effect of each patient's demographic and clinical characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression models analyzed significant factors from the univariate analyses. The primary outcome was resource utilization measured as readmission, emergency department visit, or >2 postoperative clinic visits within 45 days after VHR. RESULTS: Overall, 381 patients who underwent VHR were identified; of which 101 patients had preoperative dispensed opioids. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that patient gender at birth, any new-onset SSI, and any preoperative opioid use were associated with increased postoperative resource utilization (odds ratio, 1.76; P = .026). CONCLUSION: Preoperative opioid use was determined as a risk factor that increased resource utilization after open VHR. An understanding of the drivers of the increased use of resources is essential in developing strategies to improve healthcare value. Future research will focus on strategies to reduce the utilization of resources among patients who use opioids.

How do people who use opioids express their qualities and capacities? An assessment of attitudes, behaviors, and opportunities.

People who nonmedically use drugs (PWUD) face intricate social issues that suppress self-actualization, communal integration, and overall health and wellness. "Strengths-based" approaches, an under-used pedagogy and practice in addiction medicine, underscore the significance of identifying and recognizing the inherent and acquired skills, attributes, and capacities of PWUD. A strengths-based approach engenders client affirmation and improves their capacity to reduce drug use-related harms by leveraging existing capabilities. Exploring this paradigm, we conducted and analyzed interviews with 46 PWUD who were clients at syringe services programs in New York City and rural southern Illinois, two areas with elevated rates of opioid-related morbidity and mortality, to assess respondents' perceived strengths. We located two primary thematic modalities in which strengths-based ethos is expressed: individuals (1) being and advocate and resource for harm reduction knowledge and practices and (2) engaging in acts of continuous self-actualization. These dynamics demonstrate PWUD strengths populating and manifesting in complex ways that both affirm and challenge humanist and biomedical notions of individual agency, as PWUD refract enacted, anticipated, and perceived stigmas. In conclusion, programs that blend evidence-based, systems-level interventions on drug use stigma and disenfranchisement with meso and micro-level strengths-based interventions that affirm and leverage personal identity, decision-making capacity, and endemic knowledge may help disrupt health promotion cleavages among PWUD.

The efficacy of pericapsular nerve group block for reducing pain and opioid consumption after total hip arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pericapsular nerve group block (PENG) is an emerging regional anesthesia technique for hip surgery. However, its efficacy in total hip arthroplasty (THA) isn't well defined. We perform this meta-analysis aiming to assess the effect of Pericapsular nerve group block on pain control and morphine consumption in patients with total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: We searched four electronic databases (Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science dated from 2018 to October 2023) for published eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing PENG with placebo (no block/sham block) after THA. The outcome measurements consisted of pain score, opioid consumption, Time to first opioid, and postoperative complications. All data analyses were performed using STATA 12.0. RESULTS: Five RCTs comprising 808 participants were included. Our meta-analysis showed that there were significant differences between two groups in terms of pain score in PACU (WMD = - 0.598, 95% CI [- 0.886, - 0.310], P < 0.001), pain score at 6 h (WMD = - 0.614, 95% CI [- 0.835, - 0.392], P < 0.001) and time to first opioid (WMD = 5.214, 95% CI [4.545, 5.883], P < 0.001). However, no significant differences were revealed from the pain score at 24 h after THA (WMD = - 0.924, 95% CI [- 1.929, 0.081], P = 0.072). Meanwhile, the meta-analysis indicated that PENG significantly reduced 24-h opioid consumption (WMD = - 6.168, 95% CI [- 6.667, - 5.668], P < 0.001) and 48-h opioid consumption (WMD = - 7.171, 95% CI [- 8.994, - 5.348], P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Pericapsular nerve group block was effective for pain control up to postoperative 6 h and extending the time to the first opioid after THA. Moreover, it reduced postoperative opioid consumption when compared with a placebo group. Due to the high heterogeneity of the pain score after 24 h and the low-quality evidence, more high-quality RCTs are required to draw a definitive conclusion about pain control.

Non-scheduled short-acting opioid to taper off opioids?

This commentary discusses the issues related to the current pharmacotherapy using super long-acting opioids (for the potential convenience for both patients and medical providers) for opioid addiction and argues for the potential to use a non-scheduled short-acting opioid to taper off opioids to reduce total number of patients on opioids and ultimately reduce opioid-related death. This article also proposes to develop short-acting opioids for addiction management instead of the current long-acting regimen. The authors further suggest that dezocine, a previously FDA approved medication for perioperative pain management and a non-scheduled opioid, be brought back to clinical practice in the US as a potential alternative addiction management medication, especially for those who are highly motivated to quit opioids completely using a taper off strategy.

Strengthening Protocols for Rapid Response to Disruptions in Access to Prescription Opioids: Considerations for State and Territorial Health Agencies.

Prescription opioid disruptions pose a danger and lead to adverse health outcomes for patients taking prescription opioids for pain or medication for opioid use disorder. State and territorial health agencies are uniquely positioned to respond to disruptions and potentially prevent risks associated with service disruptions. Responding to disruptions in access to prescription opioids necessitates a multifaceted, collaborative approach that prioritizes care continuity and patient well-being. State and territorial health agencies may benefit from developing and exercising a formal response protocol that outlines roles and activities during these types of events, strengthening capacity to rapidly respond and serve patient needs.

Prescription opioid dispensing patterns among patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: Patients with schizophrenia (SZ) or bipolar disorder (BD) may have increased risk of complications from prescribed opioids, including opioid-induced respiratory depression. We compared prescription opioid pain medication dispensing for patients with SZ or BD versus controls over 5 years to assess dispensing trends. METHODS: This retrospective, observational study analysed US claims data from the IBM® MarketScan® Commercial and Multi-State Medicaid databases for individuals aged 18-64 years with prevalent SZ or BD for years 2015-2019 compared with age- and sex-matched controls. Baseline characteristics, comorbidities, and medication use were assessed. Proportions of individuals dispensed prescription opioids chronically (ie, ≥70 days over a 90-day period or ≥ 6 prescriptions annually) or nonchronically (≥1 prescription, chronic definition not met) were assessed. RESULTS: In 2019, the Commercial and Medicaid databases contained records for 4773 and 30,179 patients with SZ and 52,780 and 63,455 patients with BD, respectively. Patients with SZ or BD had a higher prevalence of comorbidities, including pain, versus controls in each analysis year. From 2015 to 2019, among commercially insured patients with SZ, chronic opioid-dispensing proportions decreased from 6.1% (controls: 2.7%) to 2.3% (controls: 1.2%) and, for patients with BD, from 11.4% (controls: 2.7%) to 6.4% (controls: 1.6%). Chronic opioid dispensing declined in Medicaid-covered patients with SZ from 15.0% (controls: 14.7%) to 6.7% (controls: 6.0%) and, for patients with BD, from 27.4% (controls: 12.0%) to 12.4% (controls: 4.7%). Among commercially insured patients with SZ, nonchronic opioid dispensing decreased from 15.5% (controls: 16.4%) to 10.7% (controls: 11.0%) and, for patients with BD, from 26.1% (controls: 17.5%) to 20.0% (controls: 12.2%). In Medicaid-covered patients with SZ, nonchronic opioid dispensing declined from 22.5% (controls: 24.4%) to 15.1% (controls: 12.7%) and, for patients with BD, from 32.3% (controls: 25.9%) to 24.6% (controls: 13.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The proportions of individuals dispensed chronic or nonchronic opioid medications each year were similar between commercially and Medicaid-insured patients with SZ versus controls and were higher for patients with BD versus controls. From 2015 to 2019, the proportions of individuals who were dispensed prescription opioids chronically or nonchronically decreased for patients with SZ or BD and controls.

Motivation and context of concurrent stimulant and opioid use among persons who use drugs in the rural United States: a multi-site qualitative inquiry.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, stimulant use has increased among persons who use opioids in the rural U.S., leading to high rates of overdose and death. We sought to understand motivations and contexts for stimulant use among persons who use opioids in a large, geographically diverse sample of persons who use drugs (PWUD) in the rural settings. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured individual interviews with PWUD at 8 U.S. sites spanning 10 states and 65 counties. Content areas included general substance use, injection drug use, changes in drug use, and harm reduction practices. We used an iterative open-coding process to comprehensively itemize and categorize content shared by participants related to concurrent use. RESULTS: We interviewed 349 PWUD (64% male, mean age 36). Of those discussing current use of stimulants in the context of opioid use (n = 137, 39%), the stimulant most used was methamphetamine (78%) followed by cocaine/crack (26%). Motivations for co-use included: 1) change in drug markets and cost considerations; 2) recreational goals, e.g., seeking stronger effects after heightened opioid tolerance; 3) practical goals, such as a desire to balance or alleviate the effects of the other drug, including the use of stimulants to avoid/reverse opioid overdose, and/or control symptoms of opioid withdrawal; and 4) functional goals, such as being simultaneously energized and pain-free in order to remain productive for employment. CONCLUSION: In a rural U.S. cohort of PWUD, use of both stimulants and opioids was highly prevalent. Reasons for dual use found in the rural context compared to urban studies included changes in drug availability, functional/productivity goals, and the use of methamphetamine to offset opioid overdose. Education efforts and harm reduction services and treatment, such as access to naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and accessible drug treatment for combined opioid and stimulant use, are urgently needed in the rural U.S. to reduce overdose and other adverse outcomes.

National Trends and Predictors of Opioid Administration in Patients Presenting With Abdominal Pain to the Emergency Department (2010-2018).

Given the current opioid crisis, in this study, we assess the national trend and factors associated with opioid administration for patients presenting to the emergency department with abdominal pain. This is a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted using the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2010 to 2018. Weighted multiple logistic regression was applied to assess the independent factors associated with opioid administration in the emergency department. Trends of opioid administration were evaluated using the linear trend analysis. There were an estimated total of 100,925,982 emergency department visits for abdominal pain. Overall, opioid was administered in 16.8% of visits. Age less than 25 years was associated with lower odds of receiving opioids. Patients living in the Northeast had the lower odds of receiving opioids (odds ratio [OR] = 0.82, p = .006) than patients living in the Midwest. Patients in the West had the highest odds of receiving opioids (OR = 1.16, p = .01). Non-Hispanic White patients had higher odds of opioid administration (OR = 1.29, p < .001). Trend analysis demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in opioid administration. From 2010 to 2018, opioid administration has approximately decreased in half. Living in the West and the non-Hispanic White racial group were the significant factors associated with a higher risk of opioid administration.

Public Health Interventions and Overdose-Related Outcomes Among Persons With Opioid Use Disorder.

Importance: Given the high number of opioid overdose deaths in the US and the complex epidemiology of opioid use disorder (OUD), systems models can serve as a tool to identify opportunities for public health interventions. Objective: To estimate the projected 3-year association between public health interventions and opioid overdose-related outcomes among persons with OUD. Design, Setting, and Participants: This decision analytical model used a simulation model of the estimated US population aged 12 years and older with OUD that was developed and analyzed between January 2019 and December 2023. The model was parameterized and calibrated using 2019 to 2020 data and used to estimate the relative change in outcomes associated with simulated public health interventions implemented between 2021 and 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures: Projected OUD and medications for OUD (MOUD) prevalence in 2023 and number of nonfatal and fatal opioid-involved overdoses among persons with OUD between 2021 and 2023. Results: In a baseline scenario assuming parameters calibrated using 2019 to 2020 data remained constant, the model projected more than 16 million persons with OUD not receiving MOUD treatment and nearly 1.7 million persons receiving MOUD treatment in 2023. Additionally, the model projected over 5 million nonfatal and over 145 000 fatal opioid-involved overdoses among persons with OUD between 2021 and 2023. When simulating combinations of interventions that involved reducing overdose rates by 50%, the model projected decreases of up to 35.2% in nonfatal and 36.6% in fatal opioid-involved overdoses among persons with OUD. Interventions specific to persons with OUD not currently receiving MOUD treatment demonstrated the greatest reduction in numbers of nonfatal and fatal overdoses. Combinations of interventions that increased MOUD initiation and decreased OUD recurrence were projected to reduce OUD prevalence by up to 23.4%, increase MOUD prevalence by up to 137.1%, and reduce nonfatal and fatal opioid-involved overdoses among persons with OUD by 6.7% and 3.5%, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: In this decision analytical model study of persons with OUD, findings suggested that expansion of evidence-based interventions that directly reduce the risk of overdose fatality among persons with OUD, such as through harm reduction efforts, could engender the highest reductions in fatal overdoses in the short-term. Interventions aimed at increasing MOUD initiation and retention of persons in treatment projected considerable improvement in MOUD and OUD prevalence but could require a longer time horizon for substantial reductions in opioid-involved overdoses.

Protocol for a randomised controlled trial: optimisation of perioperative analgesia protocol for uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative pain after thoracic surgery impairs patients' quality of life and increases the incidence of respiratory complications. Optimised analgesia strategies include minimally invasive incisions, regional analgesia and early chest tube removal. However, little is known about the optimal analgesic regimen for uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (uVATS). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct a single-centre, prospective, single-blind, randomised trial. The effects of postoperative analgesia will be tested using thoracic paravertebral block (PVB) in combination with patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PVB+PCIA), erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in combination with patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (ESPB+PCIA) or PCIA alone; 102 patients undergoing uVATS will be enrolled in this study. Patients will be randomly assigned to the PVB group (30 mL of 0.33% ropivacaine with dexamethasone), ESPB group (40 mL of 0.25% ropivacaine with dexamethasone) or control groups. PCIA with sufentanil will be administered to all patients after surgery. The primary outcome will be total opioid consumption after surgery. Secondary outcomes include postoperative pain score; postoperative chronic pain at rest and during coughing; sensations of touch and pain in the chest wall, non-opioid analgesic consumption; length of stay; ambulation time, the total cost of hospitalisation and long-term postoperative analgesia. Adverse reactions to analgesics and adverse events related to the regional blocks will also be recorded. The statisticians will be blinded to the group allocation. Comparison of the continuous data among the three groups will be performed using a one-way analysis of variance to assess differences among the means. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The results will be published in patient education courses, academic conferences and peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT06016777.

Alternatives to dental opioid prescribing after tooth extraction (ADOPT): protocol for a stepped wedge cluster randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Dentists and oral surgeons are leading prescribers of opioids to adolescents and young adults (AYA), who are at high risk for developing problematic opioid use after an initial exposure. Most opioids are prescribed after tooth extraction, but non-opioid analgesics provide similar analgesia and are recommended by multiple professional organizations. METHODS: This multi-site stepped wedge cluster-randomized trial will assess whether a multicomponent behavioral intervention can influence opioid prescribing behavior among dentists and oral surgeons compared to usual practice. Across up to 12 clinical practices (clusters), up to 33 dentists/oral surgeons (provider participants) who perform tooth extractions for individuals 12-25 years old will be enrolled. After enrollment, all provider participants will receive the intervention at a time based on the sequence to which their cluster is randomized. The intervention consists of prescriber education via academic detailing plus provision of standardized patient post-extraction instructions and blister packs of acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Provider participants will dispense the blister packs and distribute the patient instructions at their discretion to AYA undergoing tooth extraction, with or without additional analgesics. The primary outcome is a binary, patient-level indicator of electronic post-extraction opioid prescription. Data for the primary outcome will be collected from the provider participant's electronic health records quarterly throughout the study. Provider participants will complete a survey before and approximately 3 months after transitioning into the intervention condition to assess implementation outcomes. AYA patients undergoing tooth extraction will be offered a survey to assess pain control and satisfaction with pain management in the week after their extraction. Primary analyses will use generalized estimating equations to compare the binary patient-level indicator of being prescribed a post-extraction opioid in the intervention condition compared to usual practice. Secondary analyses will assess provider participants' perceptions of feasibility and appropriateness of the intervention, and patient-reported pain control and satisfaction with pain management. Analyses will adjust for patient-level factors (e.g., sex, number of teeth extracted, etc.). DISCUSSION: This real-world study will address an important need, providing information on the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention at modifying dental prescribing behavior and reducing opioid prescriptions to AYA. CLINICALTRIALS: GOV: NCT06275191.

County-level factors associated with a mismatch between opioid overdose mortality and availability of opioid treatment facilities.

BACKGROUND: Opioid overdose deaths in the United States remain a major public health crisis. Little is known about counties with high rates of opioid overdose mortality but low availability of opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment facilities. We sought to identify characteristics of United States (US) counties with high rates of opioid overdose mortality and low rates of opioid treatment facilities. METHODS: Rates of overdose mortality from 3,130 US counties were compared with availability of opioid treatment facilities that prescribed or allowed medications for OUD (MOUD), from 2018-2019. The outcome variable, "risk-availability mismatch" county, was a binary indicator of a high rate (above national average) of opioid overdose mortality with a low (below national average) rate of opioid treatment facilities. Covariates of interest included county-level sociodemographics and rates of insurance, unemployment, educational attainment, poverty, urbanicity, opioid prescribing, depression, heart disease, Gini index, and Theil index. Multilevel logistic regression, accounting for the clustering of counties within states, was used to determine associations with being a "risk-availability mismatch" county. RESULTS: Of 3,130 counties, 1,203 (38.4%) had high rates of opioid overdose mortality. A total of 1,098 counties (35.1%) lacked a publicly-available opioid treatment facility in 2019. In the adjusted model, counties with an additional 1% of: white residents (odds ratio, OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03), unemployment (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.05-1.19), and residents without insurance (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.08) had increased odds of being a mismatch county. Counties that were metropolitan (versus non-metropolitan) had an increased odds of being a mismatch county (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.45-2.38). CONCLUSION: Assessing mismatch between treatment availability and need provides useful information to characterize counties that require greater public health investment. Interventions to reduce overdose mortality are unlikely to be effective if they do not take into account diverse upstream factors, including sociodemographics, disease burden, and geographic context of communities.