Journal article 667 views 56 downloads
The Socio-Demographics and Health Service Use of Opioid Overdose Decedents in Wales: A Cross-Sectional Data Linkage Study
,
Helen Snooks ,
Alan Watkins
European Addiction Research, Volume: 28, Issue: 3, Pages: 226 - 230
Swansea University Authors:
Matthew Jones, Matthew Jones, Ceri Bradshaw, Jenna Jones, Ann John , Helen Snooks , Alan Watkins
-
PDF | Version of Record
© 2022 The Author(s). This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY)
Download (124.44KB)
DOI (Published version): 10.1159/000521614
Abstract
ackground: Fatal opioid overdose is a significant public health problem with increasing incidence in developed countries. This study aimed to describe demographic and service user characteristics of decedents of opioid overdose in Wales to identify possible targets for behaviour modification and lif...
| Published in: | European Addiction Research |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1022-6877 1421-9891 |
| Published: |
S. Karger AG
2022
|
| Online Access: |
Check full text
|
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa60482 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Abstract: |
ackground: Fatal opioid overdose is a significant public health problem with increasing incidence in developed countries. This study aimed to describe demographic and service user characteristics of decedents of opioid overdose in Wales to identify possible targets for behaviour modification and life-saving interventions. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted of a census sample of opioid overdose-related deaths recorded between January 01, 2012, and October 11, 2018, in Wales. UK Office for National Statistics, Welsh Demographic Service, and National Health Service datasets were linked deterministically. Decedents’ circumstances of death, demographic characteristics, residency, and health service use were characterized over 3 years prior to fatal overdose using descriptive statistics. Results: In total, 638 people died of opioid overdose in Wales between January 01, 2012, and October 11, 2018, with an incidence rate of 3.04 per 100,000 people per year. Decedents were predominantly male (73%) and middle aged (median age 50 years). Fatal overdoses predominantly occurred in the community (93%) secondary to heroin (30%) or oxycodone derivative use (34%). In the 3 years prior to death, decedents changed address frequently (53%) but rarely moved far geographically. The majority of decedents had recently visited the emergency department (83%) or were admitted to the hospital (64%) prior to death. Only a minority had visited specialist drug services (32%). Conclusions: Deaths from opioid overdose typically occur in middle-aged men living peripatetic lifestyles. Victims infrequently visit specialist drug services but often attend emergency medical services. Emergency department-based interventions may therefore be important in prevention of opioid overdose fatalities in the community. |
|---|---|
| Item Description: |
Data Availability Statement: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the SAIL databank, but restrictions apply to the availability of these data, which were used under licence for the current study and so are not publicly available. Data are however available from the authors upon reasonable request and with permission of SAIL. |
| Keywords: |
Opioids; Overdose; Epidemiology; Emergency department |
| College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |
| Funders: |
The study was funded by PRIME Centre Wales. |
| Issue: |
3 |
| Start Page: |
226 |
| End Page: |
230 |