Opioid Epidemic: Are Women Most Vulnerable?

The opioid epidemic is a serious public health issue that affects us professionally and lots of of us personally. Questions about drug use are something we were taught in nursing school. Assessing and managing pain has all the time been a very important a part of our training. Now, with the opioid epidemic within the United States, our assessment and communication skills must reach latest heights. Those of us who’re advanced practice nurses and likewise prescribe medications have much more to think about relating to pain management.

As a women’s health nurse, latest research on age and gender trends within the opioid epidemic has caught my attention. The results showed overprescription of opioids for chronic use amongst women. This is latest reportconducted by the Quintiles IMS institute states that “middle-aged women are prescribed more opioids than any other group – twice as much as middle-aged men – making them particularly susceptible to opioid use.” Research report, shows that individuals undergoing surgery are at particular risk because of the prescription of opioids to alleviate post-operative pain.

Here are some interesting facts from the report that it’s best to know:

• After surgery, patients receive a median of 85 tablets.
• Overprescribing results in 3.3 tablets going unused and due to this fact potentially being misused.
• In 2016, three surgical patients became chronic opioid users.
• Most opioid addictions begin with pharmaceuticals.
• Surgery is an unintended gateway to the opioid crisis.
• 40% more women than men proceed to make use of opioids after surgery.
• Women aged 40-59 are prescribed more opioids than some other age group and have the very best rate of deaths from misuse.

Other report the Office on Women’s Health shows that from 1999 to 2015, the speed of overdose deaths from prescription opioids increased by 471% amongst women in comparison with a 218% increase amongst men; and heroin deaths amongst women have increased greater than twice as fast as amongst men. Additionally, the differences within the impact of prescription opioid and heroin use on men and women are sometimes not well understood. There are potentially many aspects that influence a lady’s path to opioid abuse and addiction, including biological and social influences, past experiences, geographic location, and demographic characteristics. However, there are still many gaps in knowledge about their relationship to opioid misuse.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)women are more likely than men to experience chronic pain and use prescription opioid painkillers for longer periods and in higher doses. Women are likely to use substances otherwise than men, sometimes using smaller amounts of medicine for a shorter time frame before becoming addicted. In March 2016, the CDC issued the so-called CDC Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain – United States, 2016which summarizes the research literature on the advantages and risks of opioid prescribing and provides an evidence-based guide for prescribers and patients to share responsibility for making decisions regarding the usage of opioids and alternative treatment options for chronic pain.

As a women’s health nurse, this has a big impact on my practice and credentials. Some states now require opioid education for regulatory renewal. Fighting this problem requires a multi-factorial approach. We all have to be more aware and vigilant when prescribing medications, confirming orders, patient education and post-operative follow-up.

Dowell, D., Haegerich, T., & Chou, R. (2016, March 18). Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/rr/rr6501e1.htm

Office of Women’s Health. (2016, December). Retrieved from Women’sHealth.gov: https://www.womenshealth.gov/files/documents/white-paper-opioid-508.pdf

Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2017, September 26). Retrieved from United States on No Addiction: An Analysis of the Impact of Opioid Overprescription in America: http://www.planagainstpain.com/resources/usnd/