Opioid deaths in rural Virginia: a description of the high prevalence of accidental fatalities involving prescribed medications.
In rural Virginia, drug overdose deaths increased 300% from 1997 to 2003. Polydrug deaths predominate (57.9%) in this review of 893 medical examiner cases. Prescription opioids (74.0%), antidepressants (49.0%), and benzodiazepines (39.3%) were more prevalent than illicit drugs. Two-thirds of decedents were 35-54 years old; 37% were female. When compared to western Virginia metropolitan cases, polydrug abuse was more common, specific medication combinations were found, the death rate per population was higher, and fewer illicit drugs were detected. These rural prescription overdose deaths differ from urban illicit drug deaths, suggesting the need for different strategies in prevention, treatment, and intervention by clinicians and policymakers.
Wunsch
Martha J
MJ
Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA. martha.wunsch@uky.edu
Nakamoto
Kent
K
Behonick
George
G
Massello
William
W
D000059:Accidents; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000506:poisoning*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000506:poisoning; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000506:poisoning; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000506:poisoning; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019338:Polypharmacy; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000506:poisoning*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014768:Virginia
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D001569:Benzodiazepines