Risk of drug-related mortality among people receiving opioid-agonist treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Opioid-agonist treatment (OAT) remained protective against drug-related deaths (DRD) in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite a prior rise, DRD rates stabilized, underscoring OAT
Area Of Science
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Addiction Medicine
Background
- The COVID-19 pandemic impacted healthcare delivery, including opioid-agonist treatment (OAT) in Scotland.
- This necessitated an examination of drug-related death (DRD) rates and OAT's protective role during the pandemic (2020-2022) compared to the preceding decade (2011-2019).
Purpose Of The Study
- To analyze changes in DRD rates and the effectiveness of OAT during the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland.
- To describe trends in OAT prescribing patterns throughout the specified periods.
Main Methods
- A retrospective cohort study utilized Scottish national data, linking prescribing information with healthcare and administrative records.
- Individuals prescribed OAT (methadone or buprenorphine) were analyzed.
- Multivariable quasi-Poisson regression assessed DRD risk across distinct time periods (2011-2013, 2014-2016, 2017-2019, 2020-2022).
Main Results
- Between 2011 and 2022, 49,000 individuals received OAT, with 5,255 DRDs recorded.
- During the pandemic (2020-2022), 34,241 people received OAT, and 1,825 DRDs occurred.
- DRD rates, which had steadily increased pre-pandemic, remained stable during 2020-2022 (aIRR=0.96). OAT consistently reduced DRD risk (aIRR=3.47).
Conclusions
- Despite a threefold increase in DRD rates since 2011-13, rates stabilized during the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland.
- The sustained protective effect of OAT during the pandemic emphasizes its critical role in public health crises.
- Maintaining access to OAT is crucial during public health emergencies.
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