Opioid use disorder and misuse: A review of the epidemiology and medical implications for pediatric anesthesiologists.

Opioid use disorder and misuse: A review of the epidemiology and medical implications for pediatric anesthesiologists. Paediatr Anaesth. 2017 Nov;27(11):1070-1076 Authors: Knipper E, Banta-Green CJ, Jimenez N Abstract This educational review presents an overview of opioid use disorder, misuse and overdose among adolescents, and the clinical implications for anesthesiologists. It provides definitions, discusses the epidemiology worldwide, (focusing on North America), and emphasizes the clinical implications of patients with chronic opioid exposure, including perioperative pain management, as well as opioid overdose and prolonged use of opioids after acute exposure. In the USA, opioid use disorder and negative outcomes related to opioids rose dramatically from 1999-2010; concomitantly heroin use and fatal overdoses have increased as heroin use is associated with the disordered use of licit opioids. Among adolescents and young adults, opioid use disorder is significant, with continued increases in disordered use specifically among young adults. Acute opioid intoxication may have multiple medical implications in addition to respiratory depression, and children are susceptible to acute intoxication via accidental ingestion of prescription opioids. Novel opioid formulations, such as acetyl fentanyl, with unpredictable pharmacology may also be present in acute intoxication. Chronically, opioid use presents challenges for safe and adequate p...
Source: Paediatric Anaesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Paediatr Anaesth Source Type: research