Distress, Depression, and the Effect of ZIP Code in Pancreaticobiliary Cancer Patients and Their Significant Others.

BACKGROUND: Distress screening of cancer patients is mandated by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. Clinical implementation remains limited, particularly in surgical oncology settings in individuals with pancreaticobiliary cancers. STUDY DESIGN: This study evaluated differences in mean distress scores based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer & Problem List for patients with pancreaticobiliary cancers, benign pancreatic conditions, and for their significant others (SOs). The distress screening was conducted at the first office visit and postoperatively in a subset of those who had surgery. Distress Thermometer (DT) scores were dichotomized at ≤5 vs >5 and at ≥7 and correlated with Problem List items. The US ZIP Code database was used to correlate income range, percent poverty, and unemployment in the patient's self-identified ZIP code. Regression models were fitted to identify independent predictors of distress. RESULTS: A total of 547 patients and 184 SOs were evaluated. Thirty percent of patients had DT scores >5, with pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients reporting the highest levels of distress. SOs of pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients reported even greater distress than the patients themselves. As the number of pre-existing medical problems increased; so did DT scores. Distress correlated with physical and emotional problems and worry about insurance coverage and transportation. Higher income level predicted higher DT scores, although poverty predicted lower DT scores. Depression was present in 12% of the patients. Distress improved in those undergoing surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Distress and depression in pancreaticobiliary cancer patients and SOs are prevalent. The findings of this study have multiple actionable implications and require diagnosis, treatment, and referral to supportive care resources.

Prescribing of Opioids and Benzodiazepines Among Patients With History of Overdose.

OBJECTIVES: Addiction and overdose related to prescription drugs continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. We aimed to characterize the prescribing of opioids and benzodiazepines to patients who had previously presented with an opioid or benzodiazepine overdose. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of patients who were prescribed an opioid or benzodiazepine in a 1-month time-period in 2015 (May) and had a previous presentation for opioid or benzodiazepine overdose at a large healthcare system. RESULTS: We identified 60,129 prescribing encounters for opioids and/or benzodiazepines, 543 of which involved a patient with a previous opioid or benzodiazepine overdose. There were 404 unique patients in this cohort, with 97 having more than 1 visit including a prescription opioid and/or benzodiazepine. A majority of prescriptions (54.1%) were to patients with an overdose within the 2 years of the documented prescribing encounter. Prescribing in the outpatient clinical setting represented half (49.9%) of encounters, whereas emergency department prescribing was responsible for nearly a third (31.5%). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, prescribing of opioids and benzodiazepines occurs across multiple locations in a large health care system to patients with a previous overdose. Risk factors, such as previous overdose should be highlighted through clinical decision support tools in the medical record to help prescribers identify patients at higher risk and to mobilize resources for this patient population. Prescribers need further education on factors that place their patients at risk for opioid use disorder and on alternative therapies to opioids and benzodiazepines.