Unintentional prescription opioid-related overdose deaths: description of decedents by next of kin or best contact, Utah, 2008-2009.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the characteristics that may predispose an individual to being at risk for fatal overdose from prescription opioids.


OBJECTIVE
To identify characteristics related to unintentional prescription opioid overdose deaths in Utah.


METHODS
Interviews were conducted (October 2008-October 2009) with a relative or friend most knowledgeable about the decedent's life.


METHODS
Analyses involved 254 decedents aged 18 or older, where cause of death included overdose on at least one prescription opioid.


RESULTS
Decedents were more likely to be middle-aged, Caucasian, non-Hispanic/Latino, less educated, not married, or reside in rural areas than the general adult population in Utah. In the year prior to death, 87.4 % were prescribed prescription pain medication. Reported potential misuse prescription pain medication in the year prior to their death was high (e.g., taken more often than prescribed [52.9 %], obtained from more than one doctor during the previous year [31.6 %], and used for reasons other than treating pain [29.8 %, almost half of which "to get high"]). Compared with the general population, decedents were more likely to experience financial problems, unemployment, physical disability, mental illness (primarily depression), and to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, and use illicit drugs. The primary source of prescription pain medication was from a healthcare provider (91.8 %), but other sources (not mutually exclusive) included: for free from a friend or relative (24 %); from someone without their knowledge (18.2 %); purchase from a friend, relative, or acquaintance (16.4 %); and purchase from a dealer (not a pharmacy) (11.6 %).


CONCLUSIONS
The large majority of decedents were prescribed opioids for management of chronic pain and many exhibited behaviors indicative of prescribed medication misuse. Financial problems, unemployment, physical disability, depression, and substance use (including illegal drugs) were also common.
Utah Department of Health, Prescription Pain Medication Program, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
Erin M
EM
Johnson
William A
WA
Lanier
Ray M
RM
Merrill
Jacob
J
Crook
Christina A
CA
Porucznik
Robert T
RT
Rolfs
Brian
B
Sauer
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000506:poisoning*; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry) / Q000401:mortality; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000401:mortality* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000506:poisoning; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D014589:Utah / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D055553:Prescription Drugs