Mortality rates for patients with opioid use disorders are similar to heart attacks

A new study from Oregon Health & Science University shows that hospitalized patients with opioid use disorder have a mortality rate equal to those with heart attacks within a year after discharge

The study, published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, found that nearly 8% of patients with opioid use disorder died within 12 months of being discharged from the hospital

"We need a system that can address the comprehensive needs of patients with substance use disorders and severe diseases," said Dr.

The researchers knew when conducting this study that people with opioid use disorder are seven times more likely to be hospitalized than the general population, but this new study describes the mortality rate of these patients one year after discharge for the first time

Researchers reviewed data on 6,654 Medicaid patients treated in 62 hospitals in Oregon between April 2015 and December 2017

Drug-related deaths, including overdose, accounted for 58% of 522 deaths within one year after discharge

"A lot of studies have focused on overdose deaths," said Caroline King, MD, PhD in public health, the lead author of the study

She said the death rate is staggering

The 8% one-year mortality rate is similar to acute myocardial infarction or heart attack

Englander said: “For heart attacks, hospital systems across the United States have generally accepted standards, indicators, and quality reports, which drive performance

Jin said that it is clear that the health system needs to better integrate and eliminate the medical care that these patients need.

"Methadone should be easier to obtain than heroin," England said

DOI

10.

Causes of Death in the 12 months After Hospital Discharge Among Patients With Opioid Use Disorder