Concordance between controlled substance receipt and post-mortem toxicology in opioid-detected overdose deaths: A statewide analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Opioid overdoses are a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. There is limited research linking decedents' receipt of controlled substances and presence of controlled substances on post-mortem toxicology (PMT).

Methods

We linked data on opioid-detected deaths in Connecticut between May 3, 2016, and December 31, 2017 from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Department of Consumer Protection, and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Exposure was defined as receipt of an opioid or benzodiazepine prescription within 90 days prior to death. Our primary outcome was concordance between medication received and metabolites in PMT.

Results

Our analysis included 1412 opioid-detected overdose deaths. 47 % received an opioid or ben

SUBMITTER: Howell BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9975083 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature