A Prospective Study: Patterns and Trends in Opioid Use and Treatment with Focus on Older Populations
Abstract
Lisbon Addictions Abstract:
A Prospective Study: Patterns and Trends in Opioid Use and Treatment with Focus on Older Populations
Authors: Prof. Jo-Hanna Ivers, Neil Dunne.
Background: Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is characterised by a loss of control over the use of opioids, resulting in physical, psychological, and social harms (Buresh et al, 2021). OUD can be characterised by illicit opioid use or of those available on prescription or over the counter. As opioid users age, they also experience co-morbid health problems requiring treatment (Naji et al, 2017, Mayock et al, 2018).
The main treatments provided in Ireland are Opioid Substitution Treatment (OST) and psychosocial interventions. While abstinence-based recovery is typically seen as the end-goal of OST, many patients take OST for a long period of time (UK DOH, 2022; Wyse et al., 2023) . Due to this, investigation into the long-term outcomes of prolonged opioid use and OST, particularly in older populations, can help inform clinicians and patients of the associated risks or benefits.
Aims: The proposed study aims to provide an analysis of treatment patterns and trends of opioid use from 2015-2021. Firstly, analysing trends in opioid use, and opioid prescribing by key demographic variables, in particular age and gender. Secondly, analysing trends by type of opioid including a comparison between ‘illegal opioids’ and those that can be purchased ‘over the counter’ and by prescription, focusing on use in the older population. Thirdly, comparing trends on an international basis on opioid use in the older population. Finally, reviewing models of best practice for the treatment of opioid use in older populations internationally and make recommendations on how they could apply to the Irish situation.
Methods: The study will employ a retrospective analysis of data from 4 sources from 2015-2021- the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) which contains the types of substances used, consumption behaviour, and sociodemographic characteristics, the Central Treatment List (CTL) which is a register of all patients in receipt of OST in Ireland, the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS), which collects data on opioid prescriptions made via government payment schemes, and a database of general practitioner (GP) records that will identify any demographical, diagnostic, and geographical prescription patterns.
Conclusion: This study will reveal what the patterns and trends in opioid use and treatment are, with a focus on older populations to identify any age-specific risks in use or treatment. By utilising a wide range of sources that capture varied perspectives, the researchers can provide targeted recommendations that inform policy.
