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Research Studies is a monthly compilation of research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers and recently published in journals or newsletters.

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1 to 6 of 6 Research Studies Displayed
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..
View abstract on the National Library of Medicine site.
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..
View abstract on the National Library of Medicine site.
Keywords: Veterans, 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..
View abstract on the National Library of Medicine site.
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..
View abstract on the National Library of Medicine site.
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..
View abstract on the National Library of Medicine site.
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..
View abstract on the National Library of Medicine site.
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Substance Abuse, COVID-19, Disparities, Access to Care, Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT)

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