title: Investigation of temporal changes of abuse and misuse of prescription opioids.
abstract: We analyzed intentional exposures to prescription opioids (buprenorphine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, morphine, methadone and Oxycodone) using the Research Abuse, Diversion and Addiction-Related Surveillance System (RADARS) Poison Center data over a 5 year period 2003-2007 to see if there were temporal trends in the abuse and misuse of prescription drugs associated with (1) weekends vs. weekdays and (2) during select holiday periods vs. non-holiday periods. Over the study period 25 of 120 holiday period days showed a decrease of at least 1 SD from the mean and 9 of 120 holiday period days showed an increase of at least 1 SD from the mean. Over the study period there were 144,653 intentional exposures. Mean percent of cases by day of week ranged from 14.03% to 14.39%, with slightly higher use on weekend days. There was no significant difference when evaluating prevalence of intentional exposures by day of week (p = 0.99). There was no significant difference when evaluating weekend versus weekday (p > 0.05). In summary, the prevalence of abuse and misuse of prescription drugs was not impacted by day of the week or difference between weekday and weekend. The impact of 8 traditional holidays appeared to be associated with a minor decrease in abuse and misuse of prescription drugs. No temporally related increase in abuse and misuse of prescription drugs was noted and conversely a trend toward decreased abuse and misuse of prescription drugs was suggested.
authors.affiliation: Kentucky Regional Poison Center, Louisville, KY 40232-5070, USA. henry.spiller@nortonhealthcare.org
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Spiller
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Richard C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Dart
authors.forename: Sarah S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Spiller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006693:Holidays / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011039:Poison Control Centers; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D055553:Prescription Drugs