Substance Use
The COVID-19 pandemic and opioid overdose deaths in Kentucky: An analysis of demographics and comorbidities in 2016-2021. Venetia Aranha* Venetia Aranha Dr. Jovita Murillo Dr. Kira Taylor Dr. Seyed Karimi
Purpose: Kentucky has one of the highest drug overdose death rates . This study assesses the association of the COVID-19 pandemic with opioid overdose deaths among hospitalized patients (2016-2021).
Methods: We captured inpatient hospitalizations from Kentucky Health Facility and Services (KHFS) database in 2016 to 2021, utilizing ICD-10-CM codes for opioid overdose T40.0-T40.6. Quarterly analysis was performed to identify the seasonal surges of opioid overdose deaths. The probability and 95% CIs of opioid overdose deaths, adjusted for demographic and social factors, admission type, drug type, Charleson Comorbidity Index (adopted from Glashen et al.), were calculated. Linear probability models were used to test interactions between period (exposure of interest) and demographic and social factors on overdose death (outcome of interest). The analysis was conducted for opioid use disorder reported as the 1st or 2nd diagnosis, or as any of the 1st-25th diagnosis.
Results: Compared to the pre-pandemic period (2016-2019), during the pandemic (2020-2021), hospitalizations for synthetic opioid users rose (15.5% vs. 8.8%) for the 1st or 2nd diagnosis, and for the 1st-25th diagnosis (7.64% vs 5.69%). Adjusted models showed that the probability of opioid overdose deaths was not associated with COVID-19 pandemic. Also, associations of dependent variable with opioid overdose deaths did not change with the COVID-19 pandemic. These overdose deaths may be underreported due to exclusions of fentanyl and methamphetamine-related cases.
Conclusion: The COVID-19 and opioid crises underscore the need for improved harm reduction services and support for Community-Based Participatory Research to combat the epidemic.