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Trends in the severity of opioid use disorder during pregnancy over time

Journal of Perinatology volume 42, pages 1032–1037 (2022)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective

Characterize severity of opioid use disorder during pregnancy over time.

Study design

A retrospective chart review of pregnant women presenting to MetroHealth’s Mother and Child Dependency program from 2002–2019 was performed. Severity of opioid use disorder was assessed by multinomial multivariable logistic regression of five discrete measures. Term birth rates and MAT use were analyzed using univariate regression.

Results

606 women were included in this study. Duration of use, age at first use, polysubstance use, and route of administration did not significantly change over time. Significantly more women reported high use (>1 g daily) over time compared to low use (<0.5 g daily) (RRR = 1.21, p < 0.01). Buprenorphine use increased compared to methadone use (RRR = 1.54, p < 0.001). Rate of full-term delivery increased (RRR = 1.14, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Severity of opioid use disorder during pregnancy did not change over time. An increase in term births and preference for buprenorphine were observed.

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Fig. 1: Total number of patients and severity metrics over time.
Fig. 2: Secondary outcomes over time.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Shree Sundaresh, Gouri B Sadananda.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Health Education Campus, 9501 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Shree Sundaresh, Gouri B. Sadananda & Jennifer L. Bailit

  2. Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Jennifer L. Bailit

Authors
  1. Shree Sundaresh
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  2. Gouri B. Sadananda
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  3. Jennifer L. Bailit
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Contributions

SS: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Data curation, Formal analysis, Writing–Original draft, Visualization. GBS: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Data curation, Formal analysis, Writing–Original draft, Visualization. JLB: Writing–Review & Editing, Supervision, Project administration.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gouri B. Sadananda.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Sundaresh, S., Sadananda, G.B. & Bailit, J.L. Trends in the severity of opioid use disorder during pregnancy over time. J Perinatol 42, 1032–1037 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-022-01336-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-022-01336-2

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