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ObjectivesSome states, including Massachusetts, require automatic filing of child abuse and neglect for substance-exposed newborns, including infants exposed in-utero to clinician-prescribed medications to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD). The aim of this article is to explore effects of these mandated reporting policies on pregnant and postpartum people receiving MOUD.MethodsWe used modified grounded research theory, literature findings, and constant comparative methods to extract, analyze and contextualize perinatal experiences with child protection systems (CPS) and explore the impact of the Massachusetts mandated reporting policy on healthcare experiences and OUD treatment decisions. We drew from 26 semi-structured interviews originally conducted within a parent study of perinatal MOUD use in pregnancy and the postpartum period.ResultsThree themes unique to CPS reporting policies and involvement emerged. First, mothers who received MOUD during pregnancy identified mandated reporting for prenatally prescribed medication utilization as unjust and stigmatizing. Second, the stress caused by an impending CPS filing at delivery and the realities of CPS surveillance and involvement after filing were both perceived as harmful to family health and wellbeing. Finally, pregnant and postpartum individuals with OUD felt pressure to make medical decisions in a complex environment in which medical recommendations and the requirements of CPS agencies often compete.Conclusions for practiceUncoupling of OUD treatment decisions in the perinatal period from mandated CPS reporting at time of delivery is essential. The primary focus for families affected by OUD must shift from surveillance and stigma to evidence-based treatment and access to supportive services and resources.

BackgroundThe postpartum year is a vulnerable period for women with opioid use disorder, with increased rates of fatal and nonfatal overdose; however, data on the continuation of medications for opioid use disorder on a population level are limited.ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the effect of discontinuing methadone and buprenorphine in women with opioid use disorder in the year following delivery and determine the extent to which maternal and infant characteristics are associated with time to discontinuation of medications for opioid use disorder.Study designThis population-based retrospective cohort study used linked administrative data of 211,096 deliveries in Massachusetts between 2011 and 2014 to examine the adherence to medications for opioid use disorder. Individuals receiving medications for opioid use disorder after delivery were included in the study. Here, demographic, psychosocial, prenatal, and delivery characteristics are described. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression modeling were used to examine factors associated with medication discontinuation.ResultsA total of 2314 women who received medications for opioid use disorder at delivery were included in our study. Overall, 1484 women (64.1%) continued receiving medications for opioid use disorder for a full 12 months following delivery. The rate of continued medication use varied from 34% if women started on medications for opioid use disorder the month before delivery to 80% if the medications were used throughout pregnancy. Kaplan-Meier survival curves differed by maternal race and ethnicity (the 12-month continuation probability was .65 for White non-Hispanic women and .51 for non-White women; P

Automated, wearable cameras can benefit health-related research by capturing accurate and objective information about individuals' daily experiences. However, wearable cameras present unique privacy- and confidentiality-related risks due to the possibility of the images capturing identifying or sensitive information from participants and third parties. Although best practice guidelines for ethical research with wearable cameras have been published, limited information exists on the risks of studies using wearable cameras. The aim of this literature review was to survey risks related to using wearable cameras, and precautions taken to reduce those risks, as reported in empirical research. Forty-five publications, comprising 36 independent studies, were reviewed, and findings revealed that participants' primary concerns with using wearable cameras included physical inconvenience and discomfort in certain situations (e.g. public settings). None of the studies reviewed reported any serious adverse events. Although it is possible that reported findings do not include all risks experienced by participants in research with wearable cameras, our findings suggest a low level of risk to participants. However, it is important that investigators adopt recommended precautions, which can promote autonomy and reduce risks, including participant discomfort.

Opioid use disorder (OUD) in pregnant women has increased significantly in recent years. Maintaining these women on sublingual (SL) buprenorphine (BUP) is an evidence-based practice but BUP-SL is associated with several disadvantages that an extended-release (XR) BUP formulation could eliminate. The National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN) is conducting an intent-to-treat, two-arm, open-label, pragmatic randomized controlled trial, Medication treatment for Opioid-dependent expectant Mothers (MOMs), to compare mother and infant outcomes of pregnant women with OUD treated with BUP-XR, relative to BUP-SL. A second aim is to determine the relative economic value of utilizing BUP-XR. Approximately 300 pregnant women with an estimated gestational age (EGA) of 6-30 weeks, recruited from 12 sites, will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to BUP-XR or BUP-SL, balancing on site, EGA, and BUP-SL status (taking/not taking) at the time of randomization. Participants will be provided with study medication and attend weekly medication visits through 12 months postpartum. Participants will be invited to participate in two sub-studies to evaluate the: 1) mechanisms by which BUP-XR may improve mother and infant outcomes; and 2) effects of prenatal exposure to BUP-XR versus BUP-SL on infant neurodevelopment. This paper describes the key design decisions for the main trial made during protocol development. This Investigational New Drug (IND) trial uniquely uses pragmatic features where feasible in order to maximize external validity, hence increasing the potential to inform clinical practice guidelines and address multiple knowledge gaps for treatment of this patient population.

Aims To examine the cross sectional and longitudinal associations between the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Concise (AUDIT-C) and differences in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in a psychiatrically ill population. Methods Retrospective observational study using electronic health record data from a large healthcare system, of patients hospitalized for a mental health/substance use disorder (MH/SUD) from 1 July 2016 to 31 May 2023, who had a proximal AUDIT-C and HDL (N  = 15 915) and the subset who had a repeat AUDIT-C and HDL 1 year later (N  = 2915). Linear regression models examined the association between cross-sectional and longitudinal AUDIT-C scores and HDL, adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics that affect HDL. Results Compared with AUDIT-C score = 0, HDL was higher among patients with greater AUDIT-C severity (e.g. moderate AUDIT-C score = 8.70[7.65, 9.75] mg/dl; severe AUDIT-C score = 13.02 [12.13, 13.90] mg/dL[95% confidence interval (CI)] mg/dl). The associations between cross-sectional HDL and AUDIT-C scores were similar with and without adjusting for patient demographic and clinical characteristics. HDL levels increased for patients with mild alcohol use at baseline and moderate or severe alcohol use at follow-up (15.06[2.77, 27.69] and 19.58[2.77, 36.39] mg/dL[95%CI] increase for moderate and severe, respectively). Conclusions HDL levels correlate with AUDIT-C scores among patients with MH/SUD. Longitudinally, there were some (but not consistent) increases in HDL associated with increases in AUDIT-C. The increases were within range of typical year-to-year variation in HDL across the population independent of alcohol use, limiting the ability to use HDL as a longitudinal clinical indicator for alcohol use in routine care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This pilot study examined the feasibility and satisfaction of the Recovering Safety group, an outpatient empowerment, psychoeducational skills group for women with substance use disorders who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). Patient satisfaction, empowerment, and safety were assessed at three time points. Participants (N = 8) reported high satisfaction with the group and rated the IPV-informed content, women-only participants, and female therapist as important factors; empowerment increased from pre- to post-group. These results support initial feasibility; further study of such treatments is needed to examine efficacy of this group intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Limited research has explored sex differences in opioid use disorder medication (MOUD) treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine MOUD initiation onto buprenorphine‐naloxone (BUP‐NX) versus extended‐release naltrexone (XR‐NTX) by sex, and sex differences in clinical and psychosocial outcomes. Methods: Using data from a 24‐week open‐label comparative effectiveness trial of BUP‐NX or XR‐NTX, this study examined MOUD initiation (i.e., receiving a minimum one XR‐NTX injection or first BUP‐NX dose) and 24‐week self‐report outcomes. We used regression models to estimate the probability of MOUD initiation failure among the intent‐to‐treat sample (N = 570), and the main and interaction effects of sex on outcomes of interest among the subsample of participants who successfully initiated MOUD (n = 474). Results: In the intent‐to‐treat sample, the odds of treatment initiation failure were not significantly different by sex. In the subsample of successful MOUD initiates, the effect of treatment on employment at week 24 was significantly moderated by sex (p =.003); odds of employment were not significantly different among males by MOUD type; females randomized to XR‐NTX versus BUP‐NX had 4.63 times greater odds of employment (p <.001). Males had significantly lower odds of past 30‐day exchanging sex for drugs versus females (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] = 0.10, p =.004), controlling for treatment and baseline outcomes. Discussion and Conclusions: Further research should explore how to integrate employment support into OUD treatment to improve patient outcomes, particularly among women. Scientific Significance: The current study addressed gaps in the literature by examining sex differences in MOUD initiation and diverse treatment outcomes in a large, national sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) face unique barriers in seeking treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) and are less likely than the general population to receive treatment. Barriers specific to AAPI women may be especially significant given identified gender and racial differences in SUD prevalence and treatment. This review examines rates of SUD in AAPI women and summarizes the literature on SUD treatment for AAPI women. Methods: Data from 2016 to 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) surveys were extracted to summarize rates of SUD. A scoping review of the literature on AAPI women and SUD treatment was conducted; eight articles published from 2010 to present were reviewed. Results: The prevalence of SUDs among AAPI women increased overall, although rates of SUDs were generally lower in AAPI women compared to their male counterparts. Patterns of gender differences in SUDs varied for subpopulations of AAPI women. There is limited research on treatment utilization and access for AAPI women. The few studies that examined treatment outcomes found favorable outcomes for AAPI women; research on culturally adapted interventions was promising but nascent. Discussion and Conclusions: Literature on SUD treatment for AAPI women is limited. The availability of more culturally tailored treatments addressing the specific needs of AAPI women may lead to more acceptability and treatment utilization for this group. Additional research is needed to elucidate the unique barriers to treatment AAPI women face. Scientific Significance: With rising rates of substance use in AAPI women, there is a need to develop and test effective SUD treatments adapted for AAPI women. Answer questions and earn CME credit [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Viewpoint describes the challenges for clinical research and participant protections following the US Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]