Abstract
BackgroundNo comparisons between mortality from opioids in children and teenagers and opioid prescription patterns have been made in England.AimTo investigate if an association exists between mortality rates from opioid poisoning in persons aged 19 years old and under and community opioid prescription in England.MethodsA retrospective analysis was undertaken for 2016 to 2019, comparing community opioid prescriptions and mortality rates from opioid poisoning.ResultsThe number of opioid prescriptions decreased over the study period (− 2.4%, p < 0.001). Most deaths due to opioid poisoning in children and teenagers were seen in those under one year old and those aged between 15 and 19 years old (Kruskal-Wallis: p = 0.12; Dunn’s test: p = 0.01). Deaths in all age ranges did not change significantly (Poisson Regression Analysis: p > 0.05).ConclusionDespite the reduction in community opioid prescriptions, there was no decrease in the number of deaths in children and teenagers due to opioid poisoning.
Highlights
Analgesics account for 20% of all cases of poisoning in children under 14 years old [1]
Despite the reduction in community opioid prescriptions, there was no decrease in the number of deaths in children and teenagers due to opioid poisoning
No comparisons between mortality from opioids in children and teenagers and opioid prescription patterns have been made in England
Summary
Analgesics account for 20% of all cases of poisoning in children under 14 years old [1]. To adults, increasing mortality in children and young people from opioid poisoning parallels prescription patterns in numerous countries worldwide, such as Canada [2] and the United States [3]. No similar comparisons have been made for England to date, and this study aims to amend this information deficit by examining opioid poisoning in persons aged 19 or under by age group, type of opioid, and the correlation with the community opioid prescriptions in England. To investigate if an association exists between the number of community prescriptions of opioids and the annual number of deaths by opioid poisoning in children and teenagers in England.
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