Longitudinal Analysis of Obesity Drug Use and Public Awareness

JAMA Network Open, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 8(1), P. e2457232 - e2457232

Published: Jan. 29, 2025

Importance Obesity, a chronic disease with escalating global prevalence, poses considerable health risks. Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), including liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide, have demonstrated efficacy for weight loss in clinical trials. The paradigm shift the approach to obesity management drugs (OMDs) may offer an opportunity examine online search activity prescription trends. Objective To investigate patterns trends OMD correlating usage dynamics public engagement regarding these medications. Design, Setting, Participants This repeated cross-sectional study analyzed searches corresponding data dispensed prescriptions derived from IQVIA National Prescription Audit, comprehensive audit capturing approximately 90% of US retail dispensing that is then projected population-level data. Data on Audit Food Drug Administration–approved OMDs were collected July 1, 2017, through February 29, 2024. analysis included all eligible individuals using either Google engine or receiving prescriptions. Exposures monthly query fractions as per 10 million total OMDs. Main Outcome Measures Trends visually analyzed, quantitative correlations calculated Spearman rank correlation. Results During period, 69 213 936 US, overall increase 0.76 0.80 2017 June 2018 1.29 1.51 March 2023 2024 mean (SD) annual growth rate 5.3% (9.4%). Total reached 1.5 2024, accounting 0.41% month. Phentermine, semaglutide (Wegovy; Novo Nordisk), liraglutide (Saxenda; tirzepatide (Zepbound; Eli Lilly) most prescribed. By phentermine had 0.74 prescriptions, Wegovy 0.42 million, Zepbound 0.25 million. Most issued by advanced practice practitioners (APP) primary care physicians (PCPs) internists. APPs’ share increased 25.3% 40.6% while PCPs’ internists’ decreased 57.9% 48.1%. Wegovy’s 27.7% 28.3% Zepbound’s 16.1% 16.5% (both 2024) among APPs PCPs internists, respectively. Phentermine’s dropped 86.3% 85.1% (July 2017) 50.8% 49.7% (February 2024), Online reflected trends, at 636.3, 468.9, 301.8 (all 2024). strongest between volumes observed r = 0.97) 0.90). Conclusions Relevance shows dynamic evolving new medications since significant toward prescribing. joint surge their close correlation highlight real-time associations awareness

Language: Английский

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Effects of direct-to-consumer alcohol home delivery policies on alcohol-related online searches in the United States from 2019 to 2023: A Google trends study

Preventive Medicine Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 51, P. 103005 - 103005

Published: Feb. 15, 2025

Language: Английский

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Content analysis of substance use disorder recovery discourse on Twitter: From personal recovery narratives to marketing of addiction treatment

Alcohol Clinical and Experimental Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 22, 2025

Abstract Background Substance use disorder (SUD) is a prodigious public health issue characterized by substantial treatment gap. Despite challenges, millions have resolved prior significant alcohol or drug problem, increasingly using online supports as part of their recovery efforts (e.g., virtual mutual‐help group meetings, traditional social networking sites [SNS]). However, the content surrounding SUD recovery‐related discussion on SNS such Twitter remains largely unexamined. To fill this gap, we explored tweets hashtags. Methods From January 1, 2022, to December 31, 455,968 were collected Natural language processing was used identify and remove irrelevant groupings from dataset, resulting in final corpus 186,460 tweets. A random subsample 1800 extracted for analysis, involving codebook development, manual annotation trained coders, inter‐rater reliability assessment (average Cohen's κ = 0.77). Results Nearly half (41.7%) posts individuals seeking recovery, while 21.3% originated addiction industry accounts. Common themes included marketing (27.4%; some which promoted scientifically unsupported products services), emotional support (15.6%), celebrating milestone (15.4%), alcohol/drug‐related sociopolitical commentary (14.7%), expressions gratitude (11.5%), participation (8.7%). Conclusions reflected during initiate maintain recovery. these accounts may be met with material entities that misrepresent services promote based unsubstantiated claims. Stricter (or enforcement existing) regulations warranted protect vulnerable platform users exploit them financial gain.

Language: Английский

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Analysis of Wastewater Samples to Explore Community Substance Use in the United States: Pilot Correlative and Machine Learning Study

JMIR Formative Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7, P. e45353 - e45353

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

Substance use disorder and associated deaths have increased in the United States, but methods for detecting monitoring substance using rapid unbiased techniques are lacking. Wastewater-based surveillance is a cost-effective method community drug use. However, examination of results often focuses on descriptive analysis.

Language: Английский

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The “MOUD Hub,” a comprehensive online resource on Medications for Opioid Use Disorder: Protocol for a feasibility study assessing user acceptability and reach (Preprint)

JMIR Research Protocols, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13, P. e57065 - e57065

Published: Aug. 27, 2024

Background Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), such as methadone and buprenorphine, are the gold standard (OUD) treatment. Owing to various barriers, MOUD access retention low in United States. The internet presents a digital solution mitigate but comprehensive reliable resource is lacking. We present user-friendly, web-based resource, Hub, that provides information on MOUD. Objective This study aims assess safety, acceptability, feasibility of dissemination, reach Hub using focus groups advertising 1 key search engine social media platform. Methods protocol describes development descriptive observational will be undertaken. uses motivational interviewing principles guide users through stages change. website evidence-based from national health substance agencies, harm reduction organizations, peer-reviewed literature. First, pilot with 10 graduate students who have lived experience OUD conducted provide feedback safety concerns. Then, 20-30 potential (eg, people without experience, friends family, care providers) reach, usability. Data analyzed inductive thematic analysis. advertised Google MOUD-specific Reddit forums user acceptability based total volume, sociodemographic characteristics, pop-up survey responses, 1-year engagement patterns. collected Analytics. Potential differences between assessed. Results launched January 2025. 5 (approximately 30-40 participants) used improve before launching it. There no target sample size second stage it dissemination reach. year, every 3 months, website. Conclusions offers an innovative theory-based approach, tailored their family friends, increase treatment States broader resources those not currently position receive or at risk resuming illicit use. Findings this phase serve better tailor Hub. After modifying our findings, we randomized controlled trial its efficacy increasing retention, contributing growing research interventions OUD. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/57065

Language: Английский

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Trends and Adverse Outcomes of Xylazine Misuse: A Digital Surveillance Study

medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

Background: Xylazine is an animal tranquilizer without approved medical use in humans that increasingly being misused as adulterant illicit drugs. This study aimed to characterize national trends and adverse outcomes associated with the emerging misuse of xylazine using digital surveillance data. Methods: We examined online search social media discussions related U.S. from 2019 2023 Google Searches data conducted Joinpoint regression assess trends. also attention Almetric score analyzed reports on FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) through September logistic regression. Results: Our analysis revealed overall increasing trend searches for XYLAZINE nationally, average monthly percentage change 4.6% (95% CI: 3.9 5.1, P <0.001), indicating growing awareness. On media, mentions rose exponentially starting late 2021. Analysis FAERS identified 94 events xylazine, most which involved men (70.2%), a mean age 36.5 (SD: 14.3) years. Alarmingly, these xylazine-linked had 87.2% fatality rate, increased over 40-fold concurrent fentanyl (reported OR: 40.5, 95% 4.0 407.4, = 0.002). Conclusions: These findings underscore urgent need greater public health awareness, harm reduction strategies, enhanced targeting worsening addiction overdose crisis.

Language: Английский

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The MOUD Hub: A comprehensive online resource to increase access and retention on Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in the United States (Preprint)

Published: Feb. 3, 2024

Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), such as methadone and buprenorphine, are the gold standard (OUD) treatment. Owing to various barriers, MOUD access retention low in United States. The internet presents a digital solution mitigate but comprehensive reliable resource is lacking. We present user-friendly, web-based resource, <i>MOUD Hub,</i> that provides information on MOUD. This study aims assess safety, acceptability, feasibility of dissemination, reach Hub</i> using focus groups advertising 1 key search engine social media platform. protocol describes development descriptive observational will be undertaken. uses motivational interviewing principles guide users through stages change. website evidence-based from national health substance agencies, harm reduction organizations, peer-reviewed literature. First, pilot with 10 graduate students who have lived experience OUD conducted provide feedback safety concerns. Then, 20-30 potential (eg, people without experience, friends family, care providers) reach, usability. Data analyzed inductive thematic analysis. advertised Google MOUD-specific Reddit forums user acceptability based total volume, sociodemographic characteristics, pop-up survey responses, 1-year engagement patterns. collected Analytics. Potential differences between assessed. launched January 2025. 5 (approximately 30-40 participants) used improve before launching it. There no target sample size second stage it dissemination reach. year, every 3 months, website. offers an innovative theory-based approach, tailored their family friends, increase treatment States broader resources those not currently position receive or at risk resuming illicit use. Findings this phase serve better tailor Hub</i>. After modifying our findings, we randomized controlled trial its efficacy increasing retention, contributing growing research interventions OUD. PRR1-10.2196/57065

Language: Английский

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ChatGPT‐4: Alcohol use disorder responses

Addiction, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 119(12), P. 2205 - 2210

Published: Aug. 14, 2024

Abstract Background and aims Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by low levels of engagement with effective treatments. Enhancing awareness AUD treatments how to navigate the treatment system crucial. Many individuals online sources (e.g. search engines) for answers health‐related questions; web‐based results include a mix high‐ low‐quality information. Artificial intelligence may improve access quality health information providing concise, high‐quality responses complex questions. This study evaluated ChatGPT‐4 AUD‐related queries. Method A comprehensive list 64 questions was developed through combination Google Trends analysis expert consultation. prompted each question, followed request provide 3–5 peer‐reviewed scientific citations supporting response. Responses were whether they evidence‐based, provided referral documentation. Results responded all queries, 92.2% (59/64) being fully evidence‐based. Although only 12.5% (8/64) included referrals external resources, (100%; 5/5) location‐specific (‘near me’) queries directed appropriate resources like NIAAA Treatment Navigator. Most (85.9%; 55/64) follow‐up question Conclusions responds alcohol disorder‐related evidence‐based could be promoted as reasonable resource those looking

Language: Английский

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Analysis of Wastewater Samples to Explore Community Substance Use in the United States: Pilot Correlative and Machine Learning Study (Preprint)

Published: Jan. 3, 2023

Substance use disorder and associated deaths have increased in the United States, but methods for detecting monitoring substance using rapid unbiased techniques are lacking. Wastewater-based surveillance is a cost-effective method community drug use. However, examination of results often focuses on descriptive analysis. The objective this study was to explore States by analyzing wastewater samples. Geographic differences commonalities were explored. Wastewater sampled across (n=12). Selected drugs with misuse potential, prescriptions, over-the-counter their metabolites tested geographic locations 7 days. Methods used included assessment substances paired machine learning, specifically discriminant analysis cluster analysis, similarities measures. variations or metabolite levels found. Results revealed higher methamphetamine (z=–2.27, <i>P</i>=.02) opioids-to-methadone ratios (oxycodone-to-methadone: z=–1.95, <i>P</i>=.05; hydrocodone-to-methadone: <i>P</i>=.05) states west Mississippi River compared east. Discriminant suggested temazepam methadone significant predictors geographical locations. Precision, sensitivity, specificity, <i>F</i>₁-scores 0.88, 1, 0.80, 0.93, respectively. Finally, among communities. These findings suggest that wastewater-based has potential become an effective form Further, advanced analytical may help uncover patterns detect communities similar needs resources address disorders. Using automated analytics, these develop timely, tailored treatment prevention efforts.

Language: Английский

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