OBJECTIVE: To infer whether work-related injuries may impact opioid-related deaths. METHODS: Descriptive comparisons were done using data from the Utah Department of Health, the Office of Medical Examiners, and the Labor Commission on all Utah residents who died from opioid-related deaths from 2008 to 2009. RESULTS: The majority of decedents (145 of 254, 57%) had at least one prior work-related injury. Demographics were similar regardless of work injury status. However, lack of high school diploma (18% vs. 7%, P < 0.001), prevalence of mental illness (50% vs. 15%, P < 0.001), tobacco (61% vs. 12%, P < 0.001), alcohol (87% vs. 28%, P < 0.001), and illicit drug (50% vs. 4%, P < 0.001) use were all substantially higher than the background population. CONCLUSION: A detailed history and screening for mental illness and substance abuse, including tobacco use, among injured workers may be helpful in avoiding potential opioid-related deaths.
OBJECTIVE: To infer whether work-related injuries may impact opioid-related deaths. METHODS: Descriptive comparisons were done using data from the Utah Department of Health, the Office of Medical Examiners, and the Labor Commission on all Utah residents who died from opioid-related deaths from 2008 to 2009. RESULTS: The majority of decedents (145 of 254, 57%) had at least one prior work-related injury. Demographics were similar regardless of work injury status. However, lack of high school diploma (18% vs. 7%, P < 0.001), prevalence of mental illness (50% vs. 15%, P < 0.001), tobacco (61% vs. 12%, P < 0.001), alcohol (87% vs. 28%, P < 0.001), and illicit drug (50% vs. 4%, P < 0.001) use were all substantially higher than the background population. CONCLUSION: A detailed history and screening for mental illness and substance abuse, including tobacco use, among injured workers may be helpful in avoiding potential opioid-related deaths.
Authors: Melissa Cheng; Matthew S Thiese; Eric M Wood; Jay Kapellusch; James Foster; David Drury; Andrew Merryweather; Kurt T Hegmann Journal: J Occup Environ Med Date: 2019-10 Impact factor: 2.162
Authors: Matthew S Thiese; Kurt T Hegmann; Eric M Wood; Arun Garg; J Steven Moore; Jay Kapellusch; James Foster; Ulrike Ott Journal: BMC Musculoskelet Disord Date: 2014-08-21 Impact factor: 2.362