Comparative Effectiveness of Different Treatment Pathways for Opioid Use Disorder

Although clinical trials demonstrate the superior effectiveness of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) compared with nonpharmacologic treatment, national data on the comparative effectiveness of real-world treatment pathways are lacking.

OBJECTIVE:

To examine associations between opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment pathways and overdose and opioid-related acute care use as proxies for OUD recurrence.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:

This retrospective comparative effectiveness research study assessed deidentified claims from the OptumLabs Data Warehouse from individuals aged 16 years or older with OUD and commercial or Medicare Advantage coverage. Opioid use disorder was identified based on 1 or more inpatient or 2 or more outpatient claims for OUD diagnosis codes within 3 months of each other; 1 or more claims for OUD plus diagnosis codes for opioid-related overdose, injection-related infection, or inpatient detoxification or residential services; or MOUD claims between January 1, 2015, and September 30, 2017. Data analysis was performed from April 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019.

EXPOSURES:

One of 6 mutually exclusive treatment pathways, including (1) no treatment, (2) inpatient detoxification or residential services, (3) intensive behavioral health, (4) buprenorphine or methadone, (5) naltrexone, and (6) nonintensive behavioral health.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES:

Opioid-related overdose or serious acute care use during 3 and 12 months after initial treatment.

RESULTS:

A total of 40 885 individuals with OUD (mean [SD] age, 47.73 [17.25] years; 22 172 [54.2%] male; 30 332 [74.2%] white) were identified. For OUD treatment, 24 258 (59.3%) received nonintensive behavioral health, 6455 (15.8%) received inpatient detoxification or residential services, 5123 (12.5%) received MOUD treatment with buprenorphine or methadone, 1970 (4.8%) received intensive behavioral health, and 963 (2.4%) received MOUD treatment with naltrexone. During 3-month follow-up, 707 participants (1.7%) experienced an overdose, and 773 (1.9%) had serious opioid-related acute care use. Only treatment with buprenorphine or methadone was associated with a reduced risk of overdose during 3-month (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 0.24; 95% CI, 0.14-0.41) and 12-month (AHR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.31-0.55) follow-up. Treatment with buprenorphine or methadone was also associated with reduction in serious opioid-related acute care use during 3-month (AHR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.47-0.99) and 12-month (AHR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.58-0.95) follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:

Treatment with buprenorphine or methadone was associated with reductions in overdose and serious opioid-related acute care use compared with other treatments. Strategies to address the underuse of MOUD are needed.

Author/s:

Wakeman, SE, Larochelle, MR, Ameli, O, Chaisson, CE, McPheeters, JT, Crown, WH, Azocar, F, Sanghavi, DM

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Playbook

John Bayhi — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:50:59 +0000

Date Added:

October 3, 2019

Journal/Publication:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Website

Publisher:

U.S. Depart of Health & Human Services

URL:

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Playbook

Type:

Clinical Decision Aids

Format:

Web Page

Keywords

opioid-use disorder

medication-assisted treatment

OUD

MAT

toolkit

This is a step-by-step guide to help practices implement medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders.

James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Purpose

The AHRQ Academy developed the Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Playbook (referred to as the MAT for OUD Playbook), a practical guide for implementing MAT in primary care and other ambulatory care settings. While the Playbook aims to help providers in rural primary care, the information in the Playbook should apply to other ambulatory care settings. This interactive, web-based product has the latest guidance, tools, and resources that address key aspects of implementation.

The MAT for OUD Playbook aims to address the growing need for guidance as more primary care practices and health systems begin to implement MAT. The Playbook’s framework is designed to be useful for practices implementing any array of MAT services.

Author/s:

Moran, G, Snyder, C, OUD Playbook Working Group