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Abstract
Use and abuse of prescription narcotic analgesics have increased dramatically in the
United States since 1990. The effect of this pharmacoepidemic has been most pronounced
in rural states, including West Virginia, which experienced the nation's largest increase
in drug overdose mortality rates during 1999-2004.
To evaluate the risk characteristics of persons dying of unintentional pharmaceutical
overdose in West Virginia, the types of drugs involved, and the role of drug abuse
in the deaths.
Population-based, observational study using data from medical examiner, prescription
drug monitoring program, and opiate treatment program records. The study population
was all state residents who died of unintentional pharmaceutical overdoses in West
Virginia in 2006.
Rates and rate ratios for selected demographic variables. Prevalence of specific drugs
among decedents and proportion that had been prescribed to decedents. Associations
between demographics and substance abuse indicators and evidence of pharmaceutical
diversion, defined as a death involving a prescription drug without a documented prescription
and having received prescriptions for controlled substances from 5 or more clinicians
during the year prior to death (ie, doctor shopping).
Of 295 decedents, 198 (67.1%) were men and 271 (91.9%) were aged 18 through 54 years.
Pharmaceutical diversion was associated with 186 (63.1%) deaths, while 63 (21.4%)
were accompanied by evidence of doctor shopping. Prevalence of diversion was greatest
among decedents aged 18 through 24 years and decreased across each successive age
group. Having prescriptions for a controlled substance from 5 or more clinicians in
the year prior to death was more common among women (30 [30.9%]) and decedents aged
35 through 44 years (23 [30.7%]) compared with men (33 [16.7%]) and other age groups
(40 [18.2%]). Substance abuse indicators were identified in 279 decedents (94.6%),
with nonmedical routes of exposure and illicit contributory drugs particularly prevalent
among drug diverters. Multiple contributory substances were implicated in 234 deaths
(79.3%). Opioid analgesics were taken by 275 decedents (93.2%), of whom only 122 (44.4%)
had ever been prescribed these drugs.
The majority of overdose deaths in West Virginia in 2006 were associated with nonmedical
use and diversion of pharmaceuticals, primarily opioid analgesics.