National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 8 of 8 Research Studies DisplayedRaffa BJ, Schilling S, Henry MK
Ingestion of illicit substances by young children before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The objectives of this retrospective cross-sectional study were to assess changes in overall illicit substance ingestion rates among children less than 6 years old before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to examine changes by substance type. Results showed an immediate and sustained increase in illicit substance ingestions during the pandemic; no association between medicinal or recreational cannabis legalization and the rate of cannabis ingestion encounters was found. The authors concluded that additional studies were needed to contextualize these findings in the setting of pandemic-related stress and to identify interventions to prevent accidental ingestions.
AHRQ-funded; HS028847.
Citation: Raffa BJ, Schilling S, Henry MK .
Ingestion of illicit substances by young children before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
JAMA Netw Open 2023 Apr 3; 6(4):e239549. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.9549..
Keywords: COVID-19, Children/Adolescents, Substance Abuse
Beetham T, Fiellin DA, Busch SH
Physician response to COVID-19-driven telehealth flexibility for opioid use disorder.
This study surveyed physicians who provide opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment on their preferences and practices regarding telehealth that have evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 1141 physicians who were publicly listed buprenorphine-prescribing physicians were surveyed. Most respondents found telehealth to be effective, with 54% who found it more effective than expected. Overall, 85% were in favor of temporary telehealth flexibility being permanently extended, and 77% would be likely to use telehealth after the COVID-19 pandemic is over.
AHRQ-funded; HS017589.
Citation: Beetham T, Fiellin DA, Busch SH .
Physician response to COVID-19-driven telehealth flexibility for opioid use disorder.
Am J Manag Care 2022 Sep;28(9):456-63. doi: 10.37765/ajmc.2022.89221..
Keywords: COVID-19, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Opioids, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Medication
Auty SG, Griffith KN
Medicaid expansion and drug overdose mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.
This study examined trends in overdose mortality nationally and by state Medicaid expansion status from 2013 to 2020. Using data from the CDC’s WONDER database, findings showed that the increase in drug or opioid overdose deaths experienced during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic was similar in states with and without Medicaid expansion.
AHRQ-funded; HS026395.
Citation: Auty SG, Griffith KN .
Medicaid expansion and drug overdose mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.
Drug Alcohol Depend 2022 Mar 1;232:109340. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109340..
Keywords: COVID-19, Medicaid, Opioids, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Mortality, Public Health
Clair K, Ijadi-Maghsoodi R, Nazinyan M
Veteran perspectives on adaptations to a VA residential rehabilitation program for substance use disorders during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
This paper looks at veterans’ perspectives on adaptations made to a VA residential rehabilitation program for substance use disorders during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Adaptations to services are described within a large residential rehabilitation program for under-resourced veterans; reports veterans’ experiences; and outlines successes and challenges encountered. Data was collected from two focus groups with nine veterans in the program. The groups highlighted experiences of inconsistent communication about residential policies, interruptions to medical and addiction services, and feelings of confinement and social isolation.
AHRQ-funded; HS026407.
Citation: Clair K, Ijadi-Maghsoodi R, Nazinyan M .
Veteran perspectives on adaptations to a VA residential rehabilitation program for substance use disorders during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Community Ment Health J 2021 Jul;57(5):801-07. doi: 10.1007/s10597-021-00810-z..
Keywords: Substance Abuse, Rehabilitation, COVID-19, Healthcare Delivery, Access to Care, Patient Experience
Zubiago J, Murphy M, Guardado R
Increased HIV testing in people who use drugs hospitalized in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, due to lapses in harm reduction services, several public health experts forecasted subsequent increases in diagnosis of HIV in PWUD. As many inpatient hospitals reworked patient flow during the COVID-19 surge, the investigators hypothesized that HIV testing in PWUD would decrease. To answer this question, they compiled a deidentified list of hospitalized patients with electronic medical record indicators of substance use-a positive urine toxicology screen, prescribed medications to treat opioid use disorder, a positive CIWA score, or a positive CAGE score-admitted between January, 2020 and August, 2020.
AHRQ-funded; HS026008.
Citation: Zubiago J, Murphy M, Guardado R .
Increased HIV testing in people who use drugs hospitalized in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
J Subst Abuse Treat 2021 May;124:108266. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2020.108266..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Opioids, Substance Abuse, Alcohol Use, Hospitalization, COVID-19, Public Health, Screening
Bunting AM, Frank D, Arshonsky J
Socially-supportive norms and mutual aid of people who use opioids: an analysis of Reddit during the initial COVID-19 pandemic.
This study looked at the effect big events like the COVID-19 pandemic can have on transforming social structures, social interactions, and social norms. The social media site Reddit.com was used to collect data on the impact of COVID-19 and opioid use. Posts from March to May 2020 were collected from the two most popular opioid subreddits. Out of 2000 posts, 300 were found to be relevant to the study. The pandemic led to robust social support and mutual aid on Reddit including advice on coping with social isolation, withdrawal, managing cravings, and accessing recovery resources.
AHRQ-funded; HS026120.
Citation: Bunting AM, Frank D, Arshonsky J .
Socially-supportive norms and mutual aid of people who use opioids: an analysis of Reddit during the initial COVID-19 pandemic.
Drug Alcohol Depend 2021 May 1;222:108672. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108672..
Keywords: Opioids, Medication, Substance Abuse, COVID-19, Infectious Diseases, Social Media
Baillargeon J, Polychronopoulou E, Kuo YF
The impact of substance use disorder on COVID-19 outcomes.
The goal of this study was to examine the impact of substance use disorder on the risk of hospitalization, complications, and mortality among adult patients diagnosed as having COVID-19. Using data from the TriNetX Research Network database, primary analysis showed that substance use disorder was associated with an increased risk of hospitalization, ventilator use, and mortality. These findings suggest that COVID-19 patients with substance use disorders are at increased risk for adverse outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS026133.
Citation: Baillargeon J, Polychronopoulou E, Kuo YF .
The impact of substance use disorder on COVID-19 outcomes.
Psychiatr Serv 2021 May;72(5):578-81. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.202000534..
Keywords: COVID-19, Substance Abuse, Hospitalization, Mortality, Risk
Yang J, Landrum MB, Zhou L
Disparities in outpatient visits for mental health and/or substance use disorders during the COVID surge and partial reopening in Massachusetts.
The purpose of this study was to examine changes in outpatient visits for mental health and/or substance use disorders (MH/SUD) in an integrated healthcare organization during the initial Massachusetts COVID-19 surge and partial state reopening. The investigators concluded that MH/SUD visit volume increased during the COVID surge and was supported by rapidly-scaled telemedicine.
AHRQ-funded; HS025375.
Citation: Yang J, Landrum MB, Zhou L .
Disparities in outpatient visits for mental health and/or substance use disorders during the COVID surge and partial reopening in Massachusetts.
Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2020 Nov-Dec;67:100-06. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2020.09.004..
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Substance Abuse, COVID-19, Disparities, Access to Care, Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT)