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Characteristics of oxycodone‐related ambulance attendances: analysis of temporal trends and the effect of reformulation in Victoria, Australia from 2013 to 2018
Author(s) -
Nielsen Suzanne,
Sanfilippo Paul G.,
Scott Debbie,
Lam Tina,
Smith Karen,
Lubman Dan I.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0965-2140
DOI - 10.1111/add.15365
Subject(s) - oxycodone , medicine , odds ratio , heroin , confidence interval , (+) naloxone , hydrocodone , opioid , poison control , emergency medicine , pediatrics , psychiatry , drug , receptor
Background and aims In Australia, oxycodone has been associated with increasing rates of harm over time, despite reduced use, reformulation to a tamper‐resistant form and in contrast to most prescription opioids. We explored characteristics of oxycodone‐related ambulance attendances to understand whether presentation characteristics could explain increasing oxycodone harm. Design Retrospective study of coded ambulance patient care records related to extramedical oxycodone use, January 2013 to September 2018. Setting Victoria, Australia. Cases A total of 2788 oxycodone‐related ambulance attendances. Measurements Primary outcomes were temporal changes in characteristics of oxycodone presentations over time (from 2013 to 2018) and following reformulation. Covariates include demographic characteristics, presentation severity, mental health, substance use and poisoning intent. Findings Average age was 41.3 (± 16.4) years with females comprising 56.4% of attendances ( n = 2788). The proportion of females in oxycodone‐related attendances increased over time [an average increase in the odds ratios of 5% per year (OR) = 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01–1.10]. Other temporal trends included a reduced likelihood of naloxone administration (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.85–1.00), heroin involvement (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.66–0.99), comorbid mental health symptoms (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.82–0.92) and unknown intent poisoning (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.85–0.96); and a greater risk of alcohol involvement (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.01–1.11), non‐opioid extramedical pharmaceutical use (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.01–1.10), comorbid suicidal thoughts or behaviours (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.05–1.15) and past history of psychiatric issues (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.16–1.27). Interrupted time–series analysis showed that reformulation was associated with an immediate effect on sex, severity, accidental poisoning and unknown intent poisoning, although these were not sustained over time. Alcohol involvement in the attendance (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.17–1.74, i.e. an average increase in the odds of 43% per year), Glasgow Coma Scale (OR = 1.28, 95%CI 1.04 – 1.57), a previous history of psychiatric issues (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.70–0.92, i.e. an average decrease in the odds of 20% per year, heroin involvement (OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.05 – 0.98) and illicit drug use (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.23 – 0.87) showed statistically significant relative changes following the reformulation. Conclusions The characteristics of oxycodone presentations in Australian ambulances attendances appear to be changing over time, including more female presentations; increasing alcohol use, extramedical use of non‐opioid pharmaceuticals and suicidal thoughts or behaviours and decreasing heroin and illicit drug involvement.