2206.0 - U.S. Hospital Readmissions Following Discharge for a Non-Fatal Overdose Among Adolescents, 2016-2020

Program: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs

Session: Epidemiological Studies of Substance Use and Related Issues among Adolescents and Youth

Presenter: Gabriela Mendoza Cueva

Abstract

Background

Studies show that adult patients with a history of opioid use have a higher rate of hospital readmissions. However, the trends and risk factors associated with all-cause readmission following a non-fatal overdose among adolescents are unclear. The objective was to identify recent trends and demographic factors associated with hospital admissions and readmissions for non-fatal overdoses among adolescents. Addressing this research gap will be critical for informing effective interventions to prevent recurrent hospitalizations.
Methods: This retrospective chart analysis utilized the Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD) from 2016 to 2020 to identify non-fatal overdose readmissions among adolescents aged 11 to 19. The study used weighted state-level discharge data to derive nationally representative estimates. The frequency of overdoses for each drug was determined annually to identify trends over time. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample. Multivariable logistic regression was utilized to identify factors associated with readmission following a non-fatal overdose, controlling for potential confounders.

Results

The study sample included 26,318 adolescents, with 14,272 [54.2%] identifying as female. There were 5,456 [20.7%] 11–14-year-olds in the sample, and 13,043 [49.6%] of adolescents had a mood disorder. 4,514 [17.2%] adolescents were readmitted within 6 months for any cause. Having a behavioral disorder and poisoning by unspecified opioids increased the odds of 6-month all-cause readmission by 1.23 [95% CI 1.04-1.46)] and 1.42 [95% CI 1.11-1.782], respectively. A mood or substance use disorder did not increase the odds of 6-month all-cause readmission.

Conclusion

This study revealed an association between unspecified opioids and unspecified narcotic poisoning with readmissions, affirming the link between opioid use and increased readmission odds among adolescents. The increase in synthetic opioid use confirms the findings of previous literature and suggests the need for more interventions targeted toward synthetic opioid overdose prevention.