TY - JOUR
T1 - Methadone- and buprenorphine-related ambulance attendances
T2 - A population-based indicator of adverse events
AU - Nielsen, S.
AU - Dietze, P.
AU - Cantwell, K.
AU - Lee, N.
AU - Taylor, D.
N1 - Cited By :7
Export Date: 24 April 2018
PY - 2008/12/1
Y1 - 2008/12/1
N2 - This study examined the nature and extent of methadone- and buprenorphine-related morbidity through a retrospective analysis of ambulance service records (N = 243) in Melbourne, Australia. Cases in which methadone and buprenorphine were implicated are examined. Demographic and presenting characteristics, transport outcomes, and other substance use were explored. There were 84 buprenorphine-related attendances and 159 methadone-related attendances recorded on the database over the 4-year period. Presenting signs (respiratory rate and Glasgow Coma Scale score) were lower in the methadone-related attendances. Most of the attendances resulted in transport to hospital. Most presentations did not involve traditional signs of opioid overdose, a finding that warrants further investigation. This is the first article to describe characteristics of methadone- and buprenorphine-related ambulance attendances, with results suggesting this may be a useful way to monitor harms associated with these medications in the future.
AB - This study examined the nature and extent of methadone- and buprenorphine-related morbidity through a retrospective analysis of ambulance service records (N = 243) in Melbourne, Australia. Cases in which methadone and buprenorphine were implicated are examined. Demographic and presenting characteristics, transport outcomes, and other substance use were explored. There were 84 buprenorphine-related attendances and 159 methadone-related attendances recorded on the database over the 4-year period. Presenting signs (respiratory rate and Glasgow Coma Scale score) were lower in the methadone-related attendances. Most of the attendances resulted in transport to hospital. Most presentations did not involve traditional signs of opioid overdose, a finding that warrants further investigation. This is the first article to describe characteristics of methadone- and buprenorphine-related ambulance attendances, with results suggesting this may be a useful way to monitor harms associated with these medications in the future.
KW - Ambulance attendance
KW - Buprenorphine
KW - Methadone
KW - Opioid substitution treatment
KW - Pharmacotherapy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=54249097985&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jsat.2007.12.007
DO - 10.1016/j.jsat.2007.12.007
M3 - Article
C2 - 18295435
SN - 0740-5472
VL - 35
SP - 457
EP - 461
JO - Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
JF - Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
IS - 4
ER -