Exploring Opioid Prescription Patterns and Overdose Rates in South Carolina (2017-2021): Insights into Rising Deaths...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Opioid overdose rates are increasing, necessitating targeted interventions.
• Access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs) is a critical factor in mitigating the crisis.
• County-level analysis is vital for understanding geographic disparities in the opioid epidemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a county-level risk stratification for opioid misuse.
• To focus on access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs) and high overdose rates.
• To identify factors contributing to high-risk counties.

Main Methods:

• Examined over 15 million South Carolina Prescription Tracking System (SCRIPTS) records across 46 counties.
• Incorporated data on opioid treatment programs, prescribers of naltrexone and buprenorphine, and overdose fatalities.
• Classified counties into high-risk and low-risk categories using prescription rates, overdose data, and treatment availability; employed t-tests and linear regression.

Main Results:

• Opioid prescriptions decreased by 35% between 2017-2021, while fentanyl overdose deaths rose by 312%.
• High-risk counties showed higher fentanyl prescription rates, greater reliance on out-of-state prescribers, and more instances of doctor shopping.
• High-risk counties had fewer physicians per capita and limited access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs).

Conclusions:

• Significant disparities exist in opioid misuse risk and treatment access at the county level.
• Effective strategies require improved local healthcare infrastructure and broader access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs).
• Stricter management of out-of-state prescriptions and vigilant tracking are essential for combating the opioid crisis.