Opioid-involved prescription drug misuse and poly-prescription drug misuse in U.S. older adults.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

Although older adult prescription drug misuse (PDM) is associated with concerning consequences, stimulant PDM and poly- PDM involving multiple medication classes each remain understudied. Our objectives were to examine PDM and poly-PDM prevalence by medication class in US older adults and to identify the mental health, SUD, and health-related quality-of-life correlates of poly-PDM.

METHOD:

Data were from adults 50 and older completing the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III, (N = 14,667). Prevalence of PDM and poly-PDM by medication class was estimated. Logistic regression established odds of four SUD diagnoses, five psychopathology diagnoses and lifetime suicide attempts; linear regression evaluated health-related quality-of-life by PDM/poly-PDM status.

RESULTS:

Past-year PDM abstinence increased with age (50-54 years: 80.5%; 80 and older: 96.0%), while poly-PDM declined; past-year stimulant PDM was rare (≤0.6%), except when combined with opioid and tranquilizer/sedative PDM. Compared to no past-year PDM, both past-year opioid-only PDM and opioid-involved poly-PDM were associated with poorer health-related quality-of-life and greater odds of psychopathology and SUD, with the highest odds in poly-PDM.

CONCLUSION:

The presence of any opioid-involved PDM in older adults highlights screening for SUD, psychopathology, and other medical conditions, with the most significant intervention needs likely in those with opioid-involved poly-PDM.

• Authors: Ty S Schepis, Jason A Ford, Linda Wastila, Sean Esteban McCabe
• Journal: Aging & mental health (Aging Ment Health) Vol. 25 Issue 12 Pg. 2365-2373 (12 2021) ISSN: 1364-6915 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 33131295 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Opioid
• Hypnotics and Sedatives
• Tranquilizing Agents

Topics

• Aged
• Analgesics, Opioid (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Hypnotics and Sedatives
• Prescription Drug Misuse
• Prevalence
• Substance-Related Disorders (epidemiology)
• Tranquilizing Agents