371
Views
6
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Sex differences in the prevalence and correlates of emergency department utilization among adults with prescription opioid use disorder

&
Pages 1178-1190 | Published online: 06 Feb 2019
 

Abstract

Background: The emergency department (ED) is well-suited as an opportunity to increase treatment access for prescription opioid use disorder (POUD). We examined sex differences in ED utilization among individuals with POUD to understand potential sex-specific treatment barriers and needs. Methods: Data from the 2005–2014 National Surveys on Drug use and Health were analyzed to examine the prevalence and correlates of past-year ED utilization among male and female adults aged 18 or older with POUD (n = 4412). Results: Overall, 58.2% of adults with POUD reported past-year ED utilization. Adjusted logistic regression revealed that females (vs. males) with POUD were more likely to report past-year ED utilization. Among females with POUD, older age, lower income, obtaining opioids from a physician, major depressive episode, and greater POUD severity were associated with increased odds of ED utilization. Among males with POUD, public insurance and obtaining opioids from a physician were associated with ED utilization. A larger proportion of males with POUD reporting ED use had multiple substance use disorders than those with no ED use. Treatment history (lifetime or past-year) for alcohol, drugs, or opioid use was associated with increased odds of ED use among males and females with POUD. Conclusions/Importance: Males and females with POUD presenting to the ED may have distinct predisposing, enabling, and need-related correlates. Sex-specific screening and intervention strategies may be useful to maximize the utility of the ED to address POUD.

Disclosure statement

L-TWu also has received research support from Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Alkermes Inc. WSJ also has received research support from Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the U.S. National Institutes of Health under grants R01MD007658 and UG1DA040317.

Log in via your institution

Log in to Taylor & Francis Online

PDF download + Online access

  • 48 hours access to article PDF & online version
  • Article PDF can be downloaded
  • Article PDF can be printed
USD 65.00 Add to cart

Issue Purchase

  • 30 days online access to complete issue
  • Article PDFs can be downloaded
  • Article PDFs can be printed
USD 943.00 Add to cart

* Local tax will be added as applicable

Related Research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.