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Many patients are treated in the emergency room for non-fatal opioid overdose. However, it is unknown what proportion of these patient population experience subsequent fatality after their ED visit.
A recent study investigated the 1-year mortality rate among Massachusetts ED patients who were treated and discharged from ED for non-fatal opioid overdose.
Results
- 11,557 patients were identified between July 1, 2011 and September 30, 2015.
- There were 635 fatalities (5.5%) within 1 year in this cohort.
- Of these, 428 (67.4%) died due to opioid overdose
Of those who died,
- 130 (20.5%) died within 1 month
- 29 (4.6%) died within 2 days.
Manner of death
- Natural causes: 121 (19.1%)
- Accidental: 460 (72.4%)
- Suicide: 13 (2.0%)
- Other/pending investigation: 41 (6.5%)
Place of death
- Hospital: 310 (48.8%)
- Residence: 146 (23.0%)
- Other/unknown/nursing home: 179 (28.2%)
Conclusion
- There is high rate of fatality within 1 month (20.5%) after non-fatal opioid overdose ED visits.
- Subsequent fatal opioid overdose was observed in 428 (67.4%) of the cohort.
References
Weiner SG et al. One-year mortality of patients after emergency department treatment for nonfatal opioid overdose. Ann Emerg Med 2020 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2019.04.020