"It's a proactive intervention instead of a reactive one": measuring facilitators and barriers regarding readiness to implement a treatment program for infants with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Managing Abstinence in Newborns (MAiN) is an evidence-based, cost-saving approach to caring for infants at risk of developing neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). MAiN provides medication management in combination with education and is being implemented in hospitals across South Carolina (SC). This expansion of MAiN throughout the state includes educational training for providers on managing NOWS symptomology and evaluation support for data collection and analysis. This evaluation assessed the readiness of hospitals to implement MAiN by identifying potential barriers and facilitators to early program adoption. METHODS: We used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Framework (CFIR) to guide the evaluation. As part of the ongoing evaluation of MAiN implementation, brief, structured interviews were conducted with healthcare providers (n = 82) at seven hospitals between 2019 and 2022 to learn more about perceived barriers and facilitators to implementation readiness. Two coders independently reviewed all transcripts and used deductive thematic analysis to code qualitative data using Atlas.ti Web using the established CFIR codebook. RESULTS: We identified barriers and facilitators to implementing MAiN in all five CFIR domains. Providers identified MAiN as an evidence-based, patient-centered model with the flexibility to adapt to patients' complex needs. Specific champions, external support, alignment with providers' personal motivation, and an adaptable implementation climate were identified as facilitators for implementation readiness. Barriers included a lack of consistent communication among hospital providers, minimal community resources to support patients and families after discharge, and a lack of provider buy-in early in implementation. CONCLUSIONS: Key barriers and facilitators of MAiN implementation readiness were identified at seven participating hospitals throughout SC. Communication, staff and hospital culture and climate, and internal and external resource were all reported as essential to implementation. These findings could inform the MAiN program expansion in hospitals across SC.

Associations between elevated depressive symptoms and substance use, prescription opioid misuse, overdose history, pain, and general health among community pharmacy patients prescribed opioids.

Background: Individuals with pain prescribed opioids experience high rates of comorbid depression. The aim of this study was to characterize pain, substance use, and health status as a function of depressive symptom level in individuals filling an opioid prescription at a community pharmacy. Methods: Participants (N = 1268) filling an opioid prescription enrolled in a study validating a prescription drug monitoring metric completed an online survey assessing sociodemographics, depressive symptoms, substance use, prescription opioid misuse, overdose history, general health, and pain severity and interference. Results: Approximately one-fifth (19.3%) had a positive depression screen result. In covariate-adjusted logistic regression analyses, individuals with a positive depression screen result were more likely to have moderate/high substance use risk scores for prescription opioids (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.51-2.79); street opioids (AOR = 7.18; 95% CI, 2.57-20.01); cannabis (AOR = 2.00; 95% CI, 1.34-3.00); cocaine (AOR = 3.46; 95% CI, 1.46-8.22); tobacco (AOR = 1.59; 95% CI, 1.18-2.15); methamphetamine (AOR = 7.59; 95% CI, 2.58-22.35); prescription stimulants (AOR = 2.95; 95% CI, 1.59-5.49); and sedatives (AOR = 3.41; 95% CI, 2.43-4.79). Individuals with a positive depression screen were more likely to misuse prescription opioids (AOR = 3.46; 95% CI, 2.33-5.15), experience a prior overdose (AOR = 2.69; 95% CI, 1.76-4.11), report poorer general health (AOR = 0.25, 95% CI, 0.18-0.35), and report moderate/severe pain severity (AOR = 4.36, 95% CI, 2.80-6.77) and interference (AOR = 6.47, 95% CI, 4.08-10.26). Conclusions: Individuals prescribed opioids with heightened depression were more likely to report other substance use, prescription opioid misuse, prior overdose, greater pain, and poorer health.

Attitudes, self-efficacy, and practices related to opioid risk assessment and mitigation: A comparison of health care professionals in rural communities.

Background: Health care professionals (HCPs) play an important role in opioid misuse and opioid use disorder (OUD) screening/identification, mitigation, and referral to treatment. This study compared attitudes, self-efficacy, and practices related to opioid risk assessment and mitigation among pregnancy and non-pregnancy HCPs in rural communities. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of cross-sectional, self-report survey data of HCPs in two rural counties in southern Utah. Pregnancy HCPs were identified by a question asking whether they provide care to pregnant patients. HCPs' attitudes toward their patients with opioid misuse/OUD were measured using the Survey of Attitudes and Perceptions questionnaire. Self-efficacy and practices related to opioid risk assessment and mitigation were captured with questions asking about assessment and screening of opioid use, advisement to change opioid use behavior, and referral to treatment for OUD. We used linear regression analyses to estimate associations between HCPs' attitudes toward patients with opioid misuse/OUD and their self-efficacy and use of opioid risk assessment and mitigation practices. Results: This sample included a total of 132 HCPs, including 82 pregnancy HCPs and 50 non-pregnancy HCPs. Attitudes domains were similar among pregnancy and non-pregnancy HCPs. Among pregnancy HCPs, role adequacy (ß = .48, 95% CI = .16-.80), role legitimacy (ß = .72, 95% CI = .21-1.22), motivation (ß = .68, 95% CI = .14-1.21), and positive task-specific self-esteem (ß = 1.52, 95% CI = .70-2.35) were positively associated with more frequent use of opioid risk assessment and mitigation practices, while attitudes were not associated with these practices among non-pregnancy HCPs. Conclusions: Training initiatives that lead to improved HCP attitudes could improve opioid care management among rural pregnancy HCPs. More research is needed to determine approaches to increase the use of opioid risk assessment and mitigation practices among rural non-pregnancy HCPs.

Using data science to improve outcomes for persons with opioid use disorder.

Medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is an effective evidence-based therapy for decreasing opioid-related adverse outcomes. Effective strategies for retaining persons on MOUD, an essential step to improving outcomes, are needed as roughly half of all persons initiating MOUD discontinue within a year. Data science may be valuable and promising for improving MOUD retention by using "big data" (e.g., electronic health record data, claims data mobile/sensor data, social media data) and specific machine learning techniques (e.g., predictive modeling, natural language processing, reinforcement learning) to individualize patient care. Maximizing the utility of data science to improve MOUD retention requires a three-pronged approach: (1) increasing funding for data science research for OUD, (2) integrating data from multiple sources including treatment for OUD and general medical care as well as data not specific to medical care (e.g., mobile, sensor, and social media data), and (3) applying multiple data science approaches with integrated big data to provide insights and optimize advances in the OUD and overall addiction fields.

Third trimester maternal vitamin D and early childhood socioemotional development.

BACKGROUND: Whether maternal vitamin D affects offspring socioemotional development in early childhood has been underexplored. OBJECTIVES: This study examined associations between maternal vitamin D during in the 3rd trimester and offspring socioemotional development between 30 and 59 months. METHODS: Data from 87 maternal-offspring pairs enrolled in the National Children's Study were used. Total plasma maternal vitamin D (25-hydroxyergocalciferol + 25-hydroxycholecalciferol) was measured between 28 and 35 gestational weeks and categorised as quartiles (Q). Multivariable regression models, adjusting for maternal race/ethnicity, education, and prepregnancy body mass index (BMI [kg/m2 ]), were used to estimate the association between vitamin D and offspring scores on the Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA). RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation) vitamin D concentration was 86.5 (27.8) nmol/L. The median (range) BITSEA problem score was 6.0 (0.0-30.0), and competence score was 19.0 (7.0-22.0). Maternal vitamin D was inversely related to offspring problem scores. Compared to offspring of women with 25(OH)D in Q1, offspring problem scores were -4.80 (95% confidence interval [CI] -8.29, -1.33) units lower for Q2 vs Q1, -5.64 (95% CI -9.60, -1.68) units lower for Q3 vs Q1, and -4.70 (95% CI -8.59, -0.82) units lower for Q4 vs Q1. Vitamin D was not associated with offspring competence score. CONCLUSIONS: Higher maternal vitamin D was associated with lower offspring behaviour problems and not associated with socioemotional competence. These data indicate the association of maternal vitamin D and offspring development may be dependent on the specific developmental component being investigated.

Early Treatment Innovation for Opioid-Dependent Newborns: A Retrospective Comparison of Outcomes, Utilization, Quality, and Safety, 2006-2014.

BACKGROUND: Few coordinated treatment programs address the needs of infants and families struggling with the effects of substance use. In 2003 a large Southeastern regional hospital launched the Managing Abstinence in Newborns (MAiN) program, providing multidisciplinary, coordinated, community-based care for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). A hypothesis-generating study was conducted to compare the outcomes of MAiN infants to comparable NAS infants receiving traditional care from 2006 through 2014 in South Carolina. METHODS: De-identified sociodemographic and clinical data on MAiN infants, as well as NAS infants not treated with MAiN, were obtained from South Carolina statewide databases. Study measures included medical and safety outcomes, health services utilization, child protective services involvement, emergency services utilization, and inpatient readmissions. RESULTS: Some 110 infants were identified who received the MAiN intervention and 356 NAS infants, also in South Carolina, who were potentially MAiN eligible. Overall, there were no significant differences in the two groups regarding medical or safety outcomes or child protective services involvement. Traditional care NAS infants were more likely to be treated in a higher-level nursery (68.8% vs. 0%). MAiN infants had $8,204 less per birth in median charges (p <0.001) than the traditional care NAS infants. MAiN infants also had a lower percentage of ED visits (p = 0.01) assessed as possibly or likely NAS related compared to traditional care NAS infants. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the potential value of implementing the MAiN model in eligible NAS infants. With no difference in medical and safety outcomes and a significant reduction in charges, the MAiN model can be considered safe and cost-effective.

Evaluating the potential for undesired genomic effects of the piggyBac transposon system in human cells.

Non-viral transposons have been used successfully for genetic modification of clinically relevant cells including embryonic stem, induced pluripotent stem, hematopoietic stem and primary human T cell types. However, there has been limited evaluation of undesired genomic effects when using transposons for human genome modification. The prevalence of piggyBac(PB)-like terminal repeat (TR) elements in the human genome raises concerns. We evaluated if there were undesired genomic effects of the PB transposon system to modify human cells. Expression of the transposase alone revealed no mobilization of endogenous PB-like sequences in the human genome and no increase in DNA double-strand breaks. The use of PB in a plasmid containing both transposase and transposon greatly increased the probability of transposase integration; however, using transposon and transposase from separate vectors circumvented this. Placing a eGFP transgene within transposon vector backbone allowed isolation of cells free from vector backbone DNA. We confirmed observable directional promoter activity within the 5'TR element of PB but found no significant enhancer effects from the transposon DNA sequence. Long-term culture of primary human cells modified with eGFP-transposons revealed no selective growth advantage of transposon-harboring cells. PB represents a promising vector system for genetic modification of human cells with limited undesired genomic effects.

Dual blockade of lipid and cyclin-dependent kinases induces synthetic lethality in malignant glioma.

Malignant glioma, the most common primary brain tumor, is generally incurable. Although phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling features prominently in glioma, inhibitors generally block proliferation rather than induce apoptosis. Starting with an inhibitor of both lipid and protein kinases that induced prominent apoptosis and that failed early clinical development because of its broad target profile and overall toxicity, we identified protein kinase targets, the blockade of which showed selective synthetic lethality when combined with PI3K inhibitors. Prioritizing protein kinase targets for which there are clinical inhibitors, we demonstrate that cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)1/2 inhibitors, siRNAs against CDK1/2, and the clinical CDK1/2 inhibitor roscovitine all cooperated with the PI3K inhibitor PIK-90, blocking the antiapoptotic protein Survivin and driving cell death. In addition, overexpression of CDKs partially blocked some of the apoptosis caused by PIK-75. Roscovitine and PIK-90, in combination, were well tolerated in vivo and acted in a synthetic-lethal manner to induce apoptosis in human glioblastoma xenografts. We also tested clinical Akt and CDK inhibitors, demonstrating induction of apoptosis in vitro and providing a preclinical rationale to test this combination therapy in patients.

Drug Testing Interpretation in the Peripartum Setting: Results of Clinician Survey.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to (1) survey obstetrical and pediatric clinicians' experience, confidence, and training in maternal and neonatal drug testing interpretation; (2) determine their proficiency in drug test interpretation; and (3) assess predictors of correct interpretation. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of clinicians caring for pregnant people or newborns at an urban academic center. We assessed clinicians' demographic characteristics, experience, confidence, and prior training in interpretation of maternal and newborn drug tests. We assessed proficiency in interpreting drug tests using 11 clinical vignettes and categorized scores as poor (0-2), fair (3-5), and good (≥6) performance to facilitate data interpretation. We used descriptive statistics to summarize responses. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine associations of clinician characteristics and score category (reference category: poor performance). RESULTS: In total, 103 respondents completed the survey including 60 obstetrical clinicians (58.3%), 19 family medicine physicians (18.5%), 21 pediatric clinicians (20.4%), and 3 social workers (2.9%) (response rate, ~40%). The mean correct response was 4.1 (SD, 2.17; range, 0-11). Most respondent scores were fair (n = 47.6%), followed by good (n = 28.2%) and poor (n = 24.3%). Increased frequency, confidence, and training in interpreting maternal screening and confirmatory tests were associated with higher proficiency. Increased confidence and training in interpreting neonatal screening and confirmatory tests, but not frequency, were associated with higher proficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Most clinicians demonstrated fair proficiency in interpreting drug tests. Predictors of proficiency were confidence and prior training for drug test interpretation, suggesting that educational interventions could improve proficiency.

The Impact of Resilience on Employment Among Post-9/11 Veterans With and Without Military Sexual Trauma Exposure.

INTRODUCTION: Successful employment is a functional outcome of high importance for veterans after military discharge. There is a significant rising concern regarding exposure to military sexual trauma (MST) and related mental health outcomes that can impair functional outcomes, such as employment. Although resilience training is a key component of preparing for military service, to date the impact of resilience on employment outcomes for veterans with exposure to MST has yet to be examined. We sought to examine the relationship between resilience and employment in a national sample of post-9/11 veterans with and without MST exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A national survey was conducted between October 2021 and January 2022 to respond to the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act mandate to identify factors affecting post-9/11 women veteran's unemployment. Of veterans, 1,185 completed the survey. Of these, 565 (47.6%) were post-9/11 veterans. The survey collected data on demographics and employment; MST, adult sexual trauma (AST, outside of military), and childhood sexual trauma (CST) exposure; resilience (Response to Stressful Experiences Scale); Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist (PCL-5); and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-2). Multivariable logistic regression models identified gender-specific associations of resilience with employment among those exposed and not exposed to MST, adjusting for AST, CST, PTSD, and depression. Significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: Of 322 women and 243 men post-9/11 veterans, 86.5% were employed. MST exposure (MST[+]) was reported by 31.4% (n = 101) of women and 16.9% (n = 41) of men. MST(+) women veterans were more likely to report CST (35.6% vs. 14.5%; P < .001), AST (68.3% vs. 17.2%; P < .001), and both CST and AST (19.8% vs. 7.2%; P < .001) than MST(-) women. MST(+) men were more likely to report AST (65.9% vs. 7.9%; P < .001), and both CST and AST (14.6% vs. 1.0%; P < .001) than MST(-) men. Levels of self-reported resilience were similar for MST(+) women and men and their MST(-) counterparts (women: 11.1 vs. 11.0; men: 11.5 vs. 12.0). For MST(+) women, each unit increase in resilience was associated with a 36% increase in odds of employment (OR: 1.36, 95% CI, 1.08-1.71); resilience was not associated with increased odds of employment among MST(-) women. Among MST(+) men veterans, each unit increase in resilience was associated with an 83% increase in odds of employment (aOR: 1.83, 95% CI, 1.13-2.98), and like women veterans, resilience was not associated with employment among MST(-) men. CONCLUSIONS: Among MST(+) women and men post-9/11 veterans, higher resilience was associated with increased odds of employment, whereas resilience was not associated with employment in MST(-) veterans. These findings suggest that resiliency during and after military service is a key component for potentially improving long-term outcomes. Improving resilience using evidence-based approaches among post-9/11 veterans exposed to MST may be an important avenue for increasing successful functional outcomes such as employment. Moreover, MST(+) women and men veterans may benefit from trauma-informed care as a substantial proportion of these individuals also report exposure to CST, AST, PTSD, and depression.

Patient navigation for pregnant individuals with opioid use disorder: Results of a randomized multi-site pilot trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patient navigation (PN) may benefit pregnant individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) by improving treatment adherence. We examined participant enrollment, session delivery and assessment feasibility for a PN intervention among pregnant participants and compared PN preliminary effectiveness for OUD treatment engagement with participants in usual care (UC). DESIGN: This study was a pilot single-blinded multi-site randomized trial. SETTING: Two academic medical centers in Pennsylvania (n = 57) and Utah (n = 45), United States participated. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and two pregnant adult participants unestablished (fewer than 6 weeks) on medication for OUD (MOUD) were randomized to PN (n = 53) or UC (n = 49). INTERVENTION: PN was composed of 10 prenatal sessions (delivered after baseline but before the prenatal assessments) and four postnatal sessions (delivered before the 2- and 6-month postpartum assessments) focused upon OUD treatment and physical/mental health needs. UC involved brief case management. MEASUREMENTS: Feasibility assessments included consent, session delivery and assessment rates. Mixed-effect models for intent-to-treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP, received six or more sessions) populations were estimated to compare outcomes of MOUD use, secondary outcomes of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment attendance and non-prescribed opioid use, and exploratory outcome of overdose at baseline, predelivery and 2 and 6 months postpartum. FINDINGS: We consented 87% (106 of 122) of the proposed target, delivered ~60% of sessions delivered and completed ≥ 75% assessments. PN ITT and PP had better MOUD adherence, SUD treatment attendance, non-prescribed opioid use and overdose outcomes than UC. Notable changes included good evidence for greater percentage change in days for PN PP MOUD use from baseline to 2 months postpartum [PN = 28.0 versus UC = -10.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 9.7, 62.1] and some evidence for baseline to 6 months postpartum (PN = 45.4 versus UC = 23.4, 95% CI = -0.7, 48.2). PN PP percentage change in days for SUD treatment attendance also showed good evidence for improvements from baseline to prenatal assessment (PN = 7.4 versus UC = -21.3, 95% CI = 3.3, 53.5). PN compared to UC participants reported fewer overdoses at 2 months (PN = 11.9%/UC = 16.1%) and at 6 months postpartum (PN = 3.8%/UC = 6.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Patient navigation appears to be associated with improvements in opioid use disorder treatment engagement and overdoses during pregnancy. This pilot trial shows the feasibility of the intervention and a future large-scale trial.

"It Just Depends on Their Stability": A Qualitative Examination of Patient Factors Influencing Providers' Contraceptive Counseling Approaches for Persons With Substance Use Disorders.

OBJECTIVES: This qualitative study examined how patient-related factors influence providers' contraceptive counseling for persons with substance use disorders (SUDs). Specifically, we explored individual behavior and social factors that contribute to providers modifying their contraceptive counseling approaches and described how providers alter their counseling recommendations and communication strategies in the presence of such factors. METHODS: In 2019, we purposively recruited a national sample of contraceptive providers (N = 24) and conducted semistructured phone interviews to inquire about their contraceptive counseling practices for women with SUDs. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis with inductive codes. RESULTS: Participants included 10 medical doctors, 8 nurse practitioners, and 6 certified nurse-midwives. We found that providers modify their contraceptive counseling provision when their patients are actively using substances or have unstable living conditions, such as intimate partner violence or homelessness. With patients experiencing these instabilities, providers reported postponing contraceptive discussions until patients are stabilized in treatment, recommending long-active reversible contraceptive methods, and varying communication styles according to their own perceptions of patients' communication needs. Providers perceived that individuals in long-term recovery have increased stability and fewer barriers to contraceptive access and adherence and therefore reported increased willingness to provide greater autonomy during contraceptive decision making and shift the counseling focus to short-acting contraceptive methods. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights that substance use and social "stability" of patients contributes to how providers approach their contraceptive counseling and make methods recommendations for their patients with SUDs. More research is needed to understand strategies that individuals with SUDs use to overcome barriers to contraceptive access and adherence in the context of active substance use and social instability.

Mapping prescription drug monitoring program data to self-report measures of non-medical prescription opioid use in community pharmacy settings.

BACKGROUND: Community pharmacists are well-positioned to identify patients engaged in non-medical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) through Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) databases. Integrating patient-reported outcomes with PDMP data may improve the interpretability of PDMP information to support clinical decision-making. OBJECTIVE: This study linked patient-reported clinical measures of substance use with PDMP data to examine relationships between average daily opioid dose in morphine milligram equivalents (MME) and visits to multiple pharmacies/prescribers with self-reported NMPOU. METHODS: Data from a cross-sectional health assessment given to patients aged ≥18 years filling opioid prescriptions were linked to PDMP records. NMPOU in the past three months was assessed on a continuous scale (range 0-39) using an adapted version of the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). PDMP measures included average daily MME and number of distinct pharmacies/prescribers visited in the past 180 days. Univariable and multivariable zero-inflated negative binomial models estimated associations between PDMP measures and any NMPOU and severity of use. RESULTS: The sample included 1421 participants. In multivariable models adjusted for sociodemographic, mental health, and physical health characteristics, any NMPOU was associated with higher average daily MME (adjusted OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.05-1.39) and number of distinct prescribers visited (adjusted OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.01-1.30). Higher average daily MME (adjusted mean ratio (MR) = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.08-1.15), number of distinct pharmacies visited (adjusted MR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.04-1.18), and number of distinct prescribers visited (adjusted MR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.02-1.11) were associated with increased NMPOU severity. CONCLUSIONS: We observed significant, positive associations between average daily MME and visits to multiple pharmacies/prescribers with any NMPOU and severity of use. This study demonstrates self-report clinical measures of substance use can be cross-walked to PDMP data and translated into clinically interpretable information.

Barriers to and facilitators of hormonal and long-acting reversible contraception access and use in the US among reproductive-aged women who use opioids: A scoping review.

Existing research has found that women who use opioids (WWUO) experience challenges to hormonal and long-acting reversible contraception (HC-LARC) access and use. Facilitators of such use are unclear. We conducted a scoping review to comprehensively map the literature on barriers to and facilitators of HC-LARC access and use in the United States among reproductive-aged WWUO. In accordance with the JBI Manual of Evidence Synthesis, we conducted literature searches for empirical articles published from 1990 to 2021. Independent reviewers screened references, first by titles and abstracts, then by full-text, and charted data of eligible articles. We coded and organized HC-LARC barriers and facilitators according to a four-level social-ecological model (SEM) and categorized findings within each SEM level into domains. We screened 4,617 records, of which 28 articles focusing on HC-LARC (n = 18), LARC only (n = 6), or testing an intervention to increase HC-LARC uptake (n = 4) met inclusion criteria. We identified 13 domains of barriers and 11 domains of facilitators across four SEM levels (individual, relationship, community, societal). The most frequently cited barriers and facilitators were methods characteristics, partner and provider relations, transportation, healthcare availability and accessibility, cost, insurance, and stigma. Future studies would benefit from recruiting participants and collecting data in community settings, targeting more diverse populations, and identifying neighborhood, social, and policy barriers and facilitators. Reducing barriers and improving equity in HC-LARC access and use among WWUO is a complex, multifaceted issue that will require targeting factors simultaneously at multiple levels of the social-ecological hierarchy to effect change.

Cluster analysis to identify patient profiles and substance use patterns among pregnant persons with opioid use disorder.

The study objective was to identify distinct profiles of pregnant persons with opioid use disorder (PP-OUD) using cluster analysis and examine difference in substance use patterns between profiles. We examined data from 104 PP-OUD ≤ 32 weeks of gestation who were recruited into a behavioral health clinical trial at two academic medical centers. We used Partitioning Around Medoids analysis to identify clusters and explored patterns of substance use and substance use treatment between clusters using bivariate statistical tests and regression methods. We identified two distinct clusters of participants, including 'Group A' (n = 68; 65.4 %) and 'Group B' (n = 36; 34.6 %). Group A had fewer members who were not employed (38 % vs 58 %) and incarcerated (3 % vs 8 %) compared to Group B. Group A compared with Group B included more members with: a history of overdose (72 % vs 50 %); anxiety (85 % vs 25 %); ≥moderate pain (76 % vs 22 %); ≥moderate depression (75 % vs 36 %); ≥moderate drug use severity (94 % vs 78 %); and, more days of cannabis (mean: 6.2 vs 2.3 days), stimulant (mean: 4.5 vs 1.3 days), and injection heroin (mean: 1.3 vs 0 days) use in the past 30 days (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). Clusters of PP-OUD differed with respect to sociodemographic characteristics, mental health conditions, and substance use patterns. More research is needed to confirm identified profiles and assess treatment outcomes associated with cluster membership.

Prospective acceptability of digital phenotyping among pregnant and parenting people with opioid use disorder: A multisite qualitative study.

Background: While medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) effectively treat OUD during pregnancy and the postpartum period, poor treatment retention is common. Digital phenotyping, or passive sensing data captured from personal mobile devices, namely smartphones, provides an opportunity to understand behaviors, psychological states, and social influences contributing to perinatal MOUD non-retention. Given this novel area of investigation, we conducted a qualitative study to determine the acceptability of digital phenotyping among pregnant and parenting people with opioid use disorder (PPP-OUD). Methods: This study was guided by the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA). Within a clinical trial testing a behavioral health intervention for PPP-OUD, we used purposeful criterion sampling to recruit 11 participants who delivered a child in the past 12 months and received OUD treatment during pregnancy or the postpartum period. Data were collected through phone interviews using a structured interview guide based on four TFA constructs (affective attitude, burden, ethicality, self-efficacy). We used framework analysis to code, chart, and identify key patterns within the data. Results: Participants generally expressed positive attitudes about digital phenotyping and high self-efficacy and low anticipated burden to participate in studies that collect smartphone-based passive sensing data. Nonetheless, concerns were noted related to data privacy/security and sharing location information. Differences in participant assessments of burden were related to length of time required and level of remuneration to participate in a study. Interviewees voiced broad support for participating in a digital phenotyping study with known/trusted individuals but expressed concerns about third-party data sharing and government monitoring. Conclusion: Digital phenotyping methods were acceptable to PPP-OUD. Enhancements in acceptability include allowing participants to maintain control over which data are shared, limiting frequency of research contacts, aligning compensation with participant burden, and outlining data privacy/security protections on study materials.

Risky alcohol use among patients dispensed opioid medications: A clinical community pharmacy study.

BACKGROUND: Included among the significant risk factors for opioid overdose is concomitant use of other central nervous system depressants, particularly alcohol. Given the continued expansion of community pharmacy in the continuum of care, it is imperative to characterize alcohol use among pharmacy patients dispensed opioids in order to establish a foundation for identification and intervention in these settings. METHODS: This secondary analysis utilized data from a one-time, cross-sectional health assessment conducted among patients dispensed opioid medications in 19 community pharmacies in Indiana and Ohio. Adult, English speaking, patients not receiving cancer care who were dispensed opioid medications were asked to self-report alcohol and substance use, behavioral and physical health, and demographic information. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were employed to characterize alcohol use/risky alcohol use and patient characteristics associated therewith. RESULTS: The analytical sample included 1494 individuals. Participants were on average 49 years of age (Standard Deviation=14.9)-with 6% being persons of color (n = 89). Weekly drinking was reported by 18.1% (n = 204) and daily drinking was reported by 6.8% (n = 77) of the study sample, with a total of 143 (9.6%) participants reporting moderate/high risk drinking. Males (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]=1.94, 95% CI=1.3,2.9), those with higher pain interference (AOR=1.44, 95% CI=1.0,2.0), overdose history (AOR=1.93, 95% CI=1.1,3.5), sedative use (AOR=2.11, 95% CI=1.3,3.5), and tobacco use (AOR=2.41, 95% CI=1.6,3.7) had increased likelihood of moderate/high risk alcohol use (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Medication labeling and clinical guidelines clearly indicate that patients should abstain from concomitant use of opioids and alcohol. This study has identified rates and associated risk factors of risky alcohol use among a clinical sample of community pharmacy patients dispensed opioid medications. Continuing this line of research and potential clinical service development has the ability to improve patient safety through addressing a significant gap within the current opioid epidemic.

Pain Severity and Interference and Substance Use Among Community Pharmacy Patients Prescribed Opioids: A Secondary Analysis of the PHARMSCREEN Study.

This secondary analysis examined relationships between pain severity and interference and substance use among patients filling opioid prescriptions in Indiana and Ohio community pharmacies (n = 1,461). We likewise sought to explore the moderating role of gender in pain-substance use relations. We used patient-reported data from a cross-sectional health survey linked with controlled substance dispensing data from statewide prescription drug monitoring programs. Multivariable logistic regression estimated associations between pain severity and interference and various indices of risky prescription opioid use and non-opioid substance use. Exploratory analyses examined whether gender moderated associations. Increased pain severity was associated with increased odds of moderate- to high-risk opioid use (OR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.16-1.31) and opioid-benzodiazepine co-use (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.03-1.40). Increased pain interference was associated with greater odds of receiving opioids from multiple pharmacies or providers (OR: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.01-1.31). Increased pain severity and interference were associated with higher odds of any tobacco use (severity: OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.06-1.21; interference: OR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.01-1.12) and weekly to daily sedative use (severity: OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.03-1.25; interference: OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.04-1.22). Increased pain severity was associated with decreased odds of any alcohol use (OR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.88-0.99). Gender was a significant effect modifier in associations between pain and alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use. The study was registered in the database of clinicaltrials.gov (register number NCT03936985). Perspective: This study suggests that pain severity and interference are associated with increased use of non-medical prescription opioids, sedatives, and tobacco and decreased use of alcohol, in ways that are different between women and men. Findings may guide the development of gender-sensitive evidence-based strategies to ameliorate or prevent substance misuse among patients living with pain.

Provider Perspectives of Barriers to Contraceptive Access and Use among Women with Substance Use Disorders.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies conducted from the patient perspective indicate that women with substance use disorders (SUDs) experience extensive barriers to contraceptive access and use (CAU), but there is limited research investigating this topic from the provider perspective. We explored provider perspectives on the barriers to CAU for women with SUDs. As a secondary objective, we highlighted provider contraceptive counseling strategies to address patient CAU barriers. METHODS: We conducted 24 qualitative interviews with a purposeful sample of women's health providers, including medical doctors, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse-midwives. We used thematic analysis to code the interviews with inductive codes and organized findings according to levels of influence within the Dahlgren and Whitehead rainbow model, a socioecological model of health. RESULTS: Provider-reported barriers to CAU were identified at four levels of socioecological influence and included reproductive misconceptions; active substance use; trauma, interpersonal violence, and reproductive coercion; limited social support; lack of housing, employment, health insurance, and transportation; stigma; discrimination; and punitive prenatal substance use policies and child welfare reporting requirements. Strategies for addressing CAU barriers mainly focused on patient-centered communication, including open information exchange, shared decision-making, and relationship building. However, providers described disproportionately highlighting the benefits of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) and directing conversations toward LARC when they perceived that such methods would help patients to overcome adherence and other challenges related to active substance use or logistical barriers. Notably, there was no mention of CAU facilitators during the interviews. CONCLUSIONS: Providers perceived that women with SUDs experience a range of CAU barriers, which they addressed within the clinical setting through use of both patient-centered communication and highlighting the benefits of LARC when they perceived that such methods would help clients to overcome barriers. Improving CAU for women with SUDs will require multidisciplinary, multipronged strategies that prioritize reproductive autonomy and are implemented across clinical, community, and policy settings.