Deaths in Women From Prescription Painkillers on the Rise

Impact of Prescription Painkillers

Prescription painkillers, although helpful for those dealing with chronic pain and illness, are increasingly becoming a public health concern, especially for women. Understanding the rising trend in women's deaths and the gender disparity in overdose rates is critical in addressing this issue.

Rising Trend in Women's Deaths

The prevalence of deaths in women from prescription painkillers on the rise is evident in the alarming statistics. Approximately 18 women die every day of a prescription painkiller overdose in the US, totaling more than 6,600 deaths in 2010 alone [1]. This number highlights the significant impact of prescription painkiller overdoses on women.

The trend of increasing fatalities is even more concerning when examining the data over time. Deaths from prescription painkiller overdoses among women have risen more sharply than among men, with a more than 400% increase since 1999 compared to a 265% increase in men. This suggests a concerning trend of escalating fatalities among women due to prescription painkillers.

Gender Disparity in Overdose Rates

While both men and women are affected by prescription painkiller misuse and abuse, the gender disparity in overdose rates is significant. Nearly 48,000 women died of prescription painkiller overdoses in the period from 1999 to 2010, indicating a significant number of fatalities within just a decade.

Moreover, for every woman who dies of a prescription painkiller overdose, 30 women go to the emergency department due to painkiller misuse or abuse. This underscores the broader impact and prevalence of issues related to prescription painkillers among women [1].

Figures courtesy CDC

Healthcare providers play a crucial role in addressing this overdose epidemic among women. They can improve the way painkillers are prescribed while ensuring access to safe and effective pain treatment, underscoring the importance of healthcare professionals in combating this public health issue. The need for more research, better policies, and effective interventions is urgent to reverse these rising trends and protect women's health.

Factors Contributing to Opioid Crisis

The escalating crisis of deaths in women from prescription painkillers on the rise is a consequence of various intertwined factors. Understanding these factors can provide insights into the root causes of the problem and guide intervention strategies.

Overprescription of Opioids

One of the key contributing factors to the opioid crisis is the overprescription of opiates and opioids. Overprescription has led to increased access to opioids for vulnerable populations, escalating the risk of misuse and overdose [2]. This has been a significant force behind the public health crisis in the United States, causing extensive harm and devastation, and degrading rural community health services.

The implementation of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) has resulted in a decrease in opioid overprescription and an increase in provider confidence when prescribing medication. However, the evidence for their effectiveness in improving rural community health services or reducing opioid overdoses and opioid-related deaths is inconclusive.

Vulnerability of Unmarried Individuals

Another significant factor contributing to the opioid crisis is the heightened vulnerability of certain demographic groups, particularly less educated, divorced or unmarried individuals, and those living in rural regions of the United States.

According to data from PubMed Central, the majority of overdose deaths in the United States involve opioids, with the 35-44 age group experiencing the greatest number of opioid-related deaths. Nearly seven out of ten of these deaths are male, yet there's an alarming increase in deaths among women as well. These individuals are typically less educated, divorced or unmarried, unemployed, and live in rural regions of the United States.

The rates of opioid-related deaths have tripled since the 1990s, and 2020 saw a 41% increase in opioid-related deaths, indicating the severity of the opioid crisis.

Addressing these factors is crucial in combating the opioid crisis. Both healthcare providers and policymakers must play active roles in tackling overprescription, educating the public about the risks of misuse, and providing support for vulnerable populations.

Prescription Painkiller Misuse in Women

In the context of the escalating opioid crisis, it is crucial to examine the role and impact of prescription painkiller misuse, particularly among women.

Chronic Pain in Women

Women are more likely to experience chronic pain, leading to an increased likelihood of being prescribed prescription painkillers. They are often given higher doses and use them for longer periods than men. This extended exposure to opioids significantly heightens their risk of developing an addiction to these medications [3].

It is essential to consider these facts when discussing the rise in deaths among women from prescription painkillers. Chronic pain can be debilitating, leading many women to seek relief through prescribed medications. However, the misuse of these drugs, coupled with the heightened propensity towards addiction, has contributed to an alarming increase in overdose deaths.

Prescription Practices and Addiction Risk

Prescription practices play a key role in the increasing rates of addiction and subsequent mortality among women. There has been a significant rise in deaths from prescription painkillers among women over the past decade, with an increase of more than fourfold, compared to a 265% increase among men [3].

As per data from the CDC, nearly 48,000 women in the United States died of prescription painkiller overdoses between 1999 and 2010. Furthermore, for every woman who dies of a prescription painkiller overdose, 30 women visit the emergency department for painkiller misuse or abuse.

While a gender gap still exists, with men being more likely to die of prescription painkiller overdoses (more than 10,000 deaths in 2010), the gap between men and women is closing.

These statistics highlight the urgent need for healthcare professionals to reevaluate prescription practices, particularly for chronic pain in women. Introducing stricter controls and alternative pain management strategies could be critical steps in addressing this growing crisis.

Opioid Overdose Statistics

In this section, we will explore the alarming statistics surrounding opioid overdoses, with a specific focus on women.

Rising Death Rates Among Women

From 1999 to 2017, the death rate from drug overdose among women aged 30–64 years increased by 260%. The crude drug overdose death rate rose from 6.7 deaths per 100,000 population in 1999 to 24.3 in 2017 among women aged 30–64 years. Prescription opioid–related deaths have seen the largest increases among women aged 55–64 years. From 1999 to 2010, nearly 48,000 women died of prescription painkiller overdoses, indicating a significant number of fatalities within just a decade.

Age and Gender Patterns

The increase in death rates due to drug overdose varies across different age groups. From 1999 to 2017, drug overdose death rates increased by approximately 200% among women aged 35–39 and 45–49 years, 350% among those aged 30–34 and 50–54 years, and nearly 500% among those aged 55–64 years.

The crude rate for deaths involving prescription opioids increased from 1999 to 2017 for every age group, with the largest increases (>1,000%) among women aged 55–64 years [4].

Interestingly, deaths from prescription painkiller overdose among women have risen more sharply than among men, with a more than 400% increase since 1999 compared to a 265% increase in men [1].

These statistics paint a concerning picture of the escalating issue of prescription painkiller deaths in women, highlighting the urgent need for effective preventative measures and interventions.

Pregnancy and Opioid Use

Pregnancy and opioid use present a unique set of challenges and risks, both for the expecting mother and the unborn child. The misuse of prescription opioids during pregnancy can have severe consequences, leading to increased rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome and creating complex issues for the treatment of opioid-dependent pregnant women.

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a condition that results when a baby withdraws from certain drugs it was exposed to in the womb before birth. If a woman uses prescription opioids while she's pregnant, the baby could develop dependence and exhibit withdrawal symptoms after birth. This condition, known as neonatal abstinence syndrome, can be treated with medicines.

However, opioid use during pregnancy can also lead to other adverse outcomes such as miscarriage and low birth weight. It's crucial for healthcare providers to monitor women using opioids during pregnancy to prevent these outcomes and provide necessary treatment.

Treatment for Opioid-Dependent Pregnant Women

The treatment of opioid-dependent pregnant women is a delicate process. Research indicates that pregnant women who actively seek treatment for opioid addiction have better outcomes than those who quit abruptly. The standard of care for treating opioid-dependent pregnant women involves the use of medicines like methadone and buprenorphine, which improve the chances of giving birth to a healthier baby.

Additionally, methadone or buprenorphine maintenance, when combined with prenatal care and a comprehensive drug treatment program, can mitigate many of the adverse outcomes associated with untreated opioid addiction during pregnancy.

It's vital to closely monitor women trying to quit drug use during pregnancy and provide treatment as needed. For every woman who dies of a prescription painkiller overdose, 30 women go to the emergency department for painkiller misuse or abuse.

It's clear that the rising trend of deaths in women from prescription painkillers calls for targeted interventions, especially for pregnant women. By understanding the risks and implementing effective treatment strategies, it's possible to protect both mothers and their unborn children from the devastating effects of opioid misuse.

Addressing the Crisis

The growing trend of deaths in women from prescription painkillers emphasizes the need for strategic interventions. The healthcare sector plays a crucial role in this regard, in particular, healthcare providers and the importance of safe pain treatment.

Healthcare Provider Role

Healthcare providers play a significant role in addressing the prescription painkiller overdose epidemic among women. They have the ability to improve the way painkillers are prescribed, ensuring access to safe and effective pain treatment, and thereby combating this public health issue.

The implementation of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) has resulted in a decrease in opioid overprescription and increased provider confidence when prescribing medication. However, the evidence for their effectiveness in improving rural community health services or reducing opioid overdoses and opioid-related deaths is inconclusive.

Importance of Safe Pain Treatment

As the use of prescription opioids has dramatically increased, the importance of safe pain treatment has become more evident. Prescription opioid use in Canada, for example, has increased by over 3000% since the early 1980s. In 2016, over 20 million prescriptions for opioids were dispensed in Canada, making it the second-largest consumer of prescription opioids in the world, after the USA.

Furthermore, the emergence of powerful opioids like fentanyl in the illegal drug market has amplified the crisis. In 2017, fentanyl or an analogue was found in more than 50% of heroin samples tested by Health Canada's Drug Analysis Service. In British Columbia, fentanyl was involved in 68% of illicit drug deaths in 2016, up from 4% in 2012.

These troubling figures underscore the need for safer pain treatment options and the urgent need for healthcare providers to exercise caution when prescribing painkillers. The role of healthcare providers in promoting and implementing safe pain treatment practices is essential in addressing the increase in deaths in women from prescription painkillers. It is a shared responsibility among healthcare professionals, policymakers, and individuals to break this deadly cycle.

References

[1]: https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/prescriptionpainkilleroverdoses/index.html

‍[2]: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10410480/

‍[3]: https://www.asam.org/docs/default-source/advocacy/opioid-addiction-disease-facts-figures.pdf

‍[4]: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6801a1.htm

‍[5]: https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-opioids

‍[6]: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6034966/