Illicit substance use and opioid misuse in adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer.

Abstract

205 Background: Rates of illicit substance use and misuse of opioid medications are high in the adolescent and young adult (AYA) general population. Despite this, screening for substance use and opioid misuse is not standard in the care of AYA oncology supportive/palliative care. To inform our clinical practice, we sought to determine the prevalence of illicit substance use and potential opioid misuse in AYA cancer patients relative to adult patients and to examine correlates of use and misuse. Methods: We conducted retrospective chart review of patients newly referred to an outpatient palliative care clinic between 2014 and 2016. Results: Consecutive patients (N = 963) underwent urine drug testing as part of their initial visit; 16% of patients were between 18 and 39 years of age. Rate of illicit drug use was 31% for AYAs and 19% for adults. AYAs were nearly 2 times more likely to have positive results for marijuana (OR = 1.79; 95% CI = 1.19 – 2.69) and nearly 3 times more likely to test positive for amphetamines (OR = 2.94; 95% CI = 1.15 – 7.49). AYAs were no more likely than adults to test positive for cocaine, barbiturates or heroin. In univariate analyses, only male sex and being single, and no clinical characteristics or symptom scores, were significantly associated with illicit substance use (ps < .05). AYAs were no more likely than adults to test positive for the presence of opioids, not currently prescribed (OR = 1.07; 95% CI = 0.70 – 1.65). No symptoms scores or demographic and clinical characteristics were significantly associated with misuse. Conclusions: AYA patients demonstrated a high rate of illicit substance use and similar rate of potential opioid misuse relative to adult patients. Findings suggest AYAs may benefit from consistent screening, support and treatment for substance use and potential opioid misuse during anticancer and cancer-related therapies.