Featured Publications
US National Trends in Pediatric Deaths From Prescription and Illicit Opioids, 1999-2016
Gaither JR, Shabanova V, Leventhal JM. US National Trends in Pediatric Deaths From Prescription and Illicit Opioids, 1999-2016. JAMA Network Open 2018, 1: e186558. PMID: 30646334, PMCID: PMC6324338, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.6558.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid poisoningPediatric deathsMortality rateUS national trendsPublic health problemPediatric mortality rateNational trendsPublic health officialsIllicit opioidsPrescription opioidsAge-specific mortality ratesOpioid deathsOpioid epidemicMAIN OUTCOMEOpioidsHealth problemsOpioid crisisPoisson regressionSynthetic opioidsDisease controlMortality dataHealth officialsDeathMedical facilitiesChildrenRacial disparities in discontinuation of long-term opioid therapy following illicit drug use among black and white patients
Gaither JR, Gordon K, Crystal S, Edelman EJ, Kerns RD, Justice AC, Fiellin DA, Becker WC. Racial disparities in discontinuation of long-term opioid therapy following illicit drug use among black and white patients. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2018, 192: 371-376. PMID: 30122319, PMCID: PMC7106601, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.05.033.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLong-term opioid therapyIllicit drug useUrine drug testsDrug useOpioid therapyWhite racePositive urine drug testDrug testsMonths of treatmentElectronic medical recordsWhite patientsChronic painPatient raceMedical recordsPatientsLogistic regressionOpioidsRacial disparitiesDrug testingCocaineCannabisTherapyCliniciansDiscontinuationPainRural Versus Urban Hospitalizations for Firearm Injuries in Children and Adolescents
Herrin BR, Gaither JR, Leventhal JM, Dodington J. Rural Versus Urban Hospitalizations for Firearm Injuries in Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics 2018, 142: e20173318. PMID: 29967056, DOI: 10.1542/peds.2017-3318.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFirearm injuriesHospitalization ratesInpatient DatabaseUnintentional injuriesCause of hospitalizationOverall hospitalization rateKids' Inpatient DatabaseUnintentional firearm injuriesCause of injuryYears of ageYounger age groupsPublic health approachHigher injury ratesUrban-rural classificationPatient's countyInjury epidemiologyInjury codesHospitalizationInternational ClassificationInjury ratesInjuryAge groupsHealth approachUS Census dataFirearm assaultsNational Trends in Pediatric Deaths From Fentanyl, 1999-2021
Gaither J. National Trends in Pediatric Deaths From Fentanyl, 1999-2021. JAMA Pediatrics 2023, 177: 733-735. PMID: 37155161, PMCID: PMC10167597, DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.0793.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2024
The Circumstances Surrounding Fatal Pediatric Opioid Poisonings, 2004-2020.
Gaither J, McCollum S, Bechtel K, Leventhal J, Mintz S. The Circumstances Surrounding Fatal Pediatric Opioid Poisonings, 2004-2020. Pediatrics 2024, 154 PMID: 39484873, PMCID: PMC11528886, DOI: 10.1542/peds.2024-067043n.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChild's own homeOpioid poisoningOwn homeHistory of maltreatmentSubstance use/abuseAge groupsDied of homicidePrimary caregiversYears of ageOpioid prescribingChildren 0Opioid fatalitiesHousehold factorsPrescription opioidsSubstance useChild maltreatmentCaregiversDecedentsReporting SystemIllicit fentanylMaltreatmentChildrenFatal opioid poisoningsAgeHomeHospital Readmissions Among Infants With Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome
Gaither J, Drago M, Grossman M, Li Y, Shabanova V, Xu X, Leventhal J. Hospital Readmissions Among Infants With Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome. JAMA Network Open 2024, 7: e2435074. PMID: 39316398, PMCID: PMC11423163, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.35074.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNeonatal opioid withdrawal syndromeOpioid withdrawal syndromeWithdrawal syndromeCohort studyHospital readmissionLow birth weightReadmission ratesRetrospective cohort studyIncreased risk of readmissionNationwide Readmissions DatabaseClinical Modification codesGestational ageOdds of readmissionMultiple gestationsFull-termInternational Classification of DiseasesRisk of readmissionHospital discharge recordsBirth weightSurvey-weighted logistic regressionType of insuranceIncreased 5-foldIncreased riskReadmissions DatabaseYear of birth
2022
Child safety assessments during a caregiver's evaluation in emergency departments after intimate partner violence
Butala N, Asnes A, Gaither J, Leventhal JM, O'Malley S, Jubanyik K, Aydin A, Tiyyagura G. Child safety assessments during a caregiver's evaluation in emergency departments after intimate partner violence. Academic Emergency Medicine 2022, 30: 23-31. PMID: 36300559, DOI: 10.1111/acem.14614.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIntimate partner violenceChild protective servicesPartner violenceSocial work involvementSafety of childrenEmergency departmentPresence of childrenIPV episodesProtective servicesChild safetyAdult victimsWork involvementViolencePhysical abuseDirect witnessCPS reportsCritical opportunityICD-10-CM codesChildren's exposureEncountersChart reviewED encountersNature of exposureHomeHigh prevalenceTrends from 2005 to 2018 in child maltreatment outcomes with caregivers' substance use
He Y, Leventhal JM, Gaither JR, Jones EA, Kistin CJ. Trends from 2005 to 2018 in child maltreatment outcomes with caregivers' substance use. Child Abuse & Neglect 2022, 131: 105781. PMID: 35820322, DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105781.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCircumstances of injury in children with abusive versus non-abusive injuries
Eysenbach L, Leventhal JM, Gaither JR, Bechtel K. Circumstances of injury in children with abusive versus non-abusive injuries. Child Abuse & Neglect 2022, 128: 105604. PMID: 35339797, DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105604.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2021
The impact of a child abuse guideline on differences between pediatric and community emergency departments in the evaluation of injuries
Shum M, Asnes AG, Leventhal JM, Gaither JR, Bechtel K, Powers E, Tiyyagura G. The impact of a child abuse guideline on differences between pediatric and community emergency departments in the evaluation of injuries. Child Abuse & Neglect 2021, 122: 105374. PMID: 34737120, DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105374.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPediatric emergency departmentEvaluation of infantsHigh-risk injuriesGuideline implementationEmergency departmentInjury categoriesCommunity emergency departmentsEvaluation of injuriesMedian ageIncreased oddsOral injuriesCPS reportingOlder infantsAmerican AcademyInjuryInfantsChild physical abuseSignificant differencesCategory 1S testingPhysical abuseGuidelinesLittle informationAbuseService reportingTwelve-Month Retention in Opioid Agonist Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Among Patients With and Without HIV
Wyse JJ, McGinnis KA, Edelman EJ, Gordon AJ, Manhapra A, Fiellin DA, Moore BA, Korthuis PT, Kennedy AJ, Oldfield BJ, Gaither JR, Gordon KS, Skanderson M, Barry DT, Bryant K, Crystal S, Justice AC, Kraemer KL. Twelve-Month Retention in Opioid Agonist Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Among Patients With and Without HIV. AIDS And Behavior 2021, 26: 975-985. PMID: 34495424, PMCID: PMC8840957, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03452-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyOpioid use disorderVeterans Aging Cohort StudyHIV statusUse disordersOpioid agonist treatmentAging Cohort StudyDiagnosis of HCVTwelve-month retentionPositive health outcomesOAT retentionAgonist therapyCohort studyHIV managementAgonist treatmentPredictors of retentionPatientsHealth outcomesHistory of homelessnessHIVLower likelihoodImproved likelihoodLikelihood of initiationBuprenorphineDisordersAssociation of Syndemic Unhealthy Alcohol Use, Smoking, and Depressive Symptoms on Incident Cardiovascular Disease among Veterans With and Without HIV-Infection
Chichetto NE, Kundu S, Freiberg MS, Koethe JR, Butt AA, Crystal S, So-Armah KA, Cook RL, Braithwaite RS, Justice AC, Fiellin DA, Khan M, Bryant KJ, Gaither JR, Barve SS, Crothers K, Bedimo RJ, Warner A, Tindle HA. Association of Syndemic Unhealthy Alcohol Use, Smoking, and Depressive Symptoms on Incident Cardiovascular Disease among Veterans With and Without HIV-Infection. AIDS And Behavior 2021, 25: 2852-2862. PMID: 34101074, PMCID: PMC8376776, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03327-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIncident cardiovascular diseaseUnhealthy alcohol useCardiovascular diseaseDepressive symptomsCVD riskHIV statusAlcohol useMultivariable Cox proportional hazards regressionCases of CVDCox proportional hazards regressionCVD-free participantsHIV-negative veteransProportional hazards regressionHIV-negativeHIV infectionHazards regressionSyndemic conditionsExcess riskRisk factorsDiagnostic codesHigh prevalenceObservational studyBaseline numberGreater riskSmokingFactors Contributing to Early Intervention Evaluation
Chan G, Gaither JR, Leventhal JM, Leary CB, Fenick AM. Factors Contributing to Early Intervention Evaluation. Academic Pediatrics 2021, 22: 227-232. PMID: 33746044, DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2021.03.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTime of referralInner-city pediatric primary care clinicPediatric primary care clinicMultivariable logistic regression modelEarly intervention evaluationChronic medical illnessPrimary care clinicsYears of ageLogistic regression modelsEarly intervention programsNon-English speaking familiesCare clinicsMedical illnessEI referralReferral characteristicsMedical historyInitial referralMedical recordsFirst referralPediatric careReferral systemAverage ageEI evaluationReferralAdditional months
2020
The Use of Experts to Evaluate a Child Abuse Guideline in Community Emergency Departments
Shum M, Asnes A, Leventhal JM, Bechtel K, Gaither JR, Tiyyagura G. The Use of Experts to Evaluate a Child Abuse Guideline in Community Emergency Departments. Academic Pediatrics 2020, 21: 521-528. PMID: 33160081, DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2020.11.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGuideline implementationExpert recommendationsIndeterminate casesCommunity emergency departmentsEvaluation of infantsGold standard testPostguideline implementationProvider adherenceCommunity EDRetrospective reviewED providersEmergency departmentCPS reportingClinical decisionTeam consultationInfantsInjurySignificant increaseAdherenceHigh percentageInterventionConsultationProvidersAbuseGuidelinesChild Protection Team Consultation for Injuries Potentially Due to Child Abuse in Community Emergency Departments
Tiyyagura G, Emerson B, Gaither JR, Bechtel K, Leventhal JM, Becker H, Della Guistina K, Balga T, Mackenzie B, Shum M, Shapiro ED, Auerbach M, McVaney C, Morrell P, Asnes AG. Child Protection Team Consultation for Injuries Potentially Due to Child Abuse in Community Emergency Departments. Academic Emergency Medicine 2020, 28: 70-81. PMID: 32931628, DOI: 10.1111/acem.14132.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCommunity emergency departmentsHigh-risk injuriesChild protection teamSkeletal surveyChild protective servicesEmergency departmentClinical pathway implementationHospital child protection teamInitiation of interventionsStudy-Act approachDetection of abuseChild abuse expertsAbusive injuriesPathway implementationProvider trainingEmergency careInjuryTeam consultationInfantsMonthsProtection teamStatistical process control chartsInterventionSuch interventionsConsultationDoes Reducing Drinking in Patients with Unhealthy Alcohol Use Improve Pain Interference, Use of Other Substances, and Psychiatric Symptoms?
Caniglia EC, Stevens ER, Khan M, Young KE, Ban K, Marshall BDL, Chichetto NE, Gaither JR, Crystal S, Edelman EJ, Fiellin DA, Gordon AJ, Bryant KJ, Tate J, Justice AC, Braithwaite RS. Does Reducing Drinking in Patients with Unhealthy Alcohol Use Improve Pain Interference, Use of Other Substances, and Psychiatric Symptoms? Alcohol Clinical And Experimental Research 2020, 44: 2257-2265. PMID: 33030753, PMCID: PMC8077101, DOI: 10.1111/acer.14455.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsUnhealthy alcohol useAlcohol usePain interferenceTobacco smokingUS veteransOdds ratioPsychiatric symptomsDepressive symptomsCocaine useVeterans Aging Cohort StudyAlcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaireCannabis useSubstance useAging Cohort StudyAnxiety symptomsSeparate logistic regression modelsChronic pain interferenceMultisite observational studyLogistic regression modelsCohort studyInverse probability weightingNext followObservational studyPotential selection biasYears postbaselineTrajectories of Self-Reported Opioid Use Among Patients With HIV Engaged in Care: Results From a National Cohort Study.
Edelman EJ, Li Y, Barry D, Brennan Braden J, Crystal S, Kerns RD, Gaither JR, Gordon KS, Manhapra A, Merlin JS, Moore BA, Oldfield BJ, Park LS, Rentsch CT, Skanderson M, Williams EC, Justice AC, Tate JP, Becker WC, Marshall BDL. Trajectories of Self-Reported Opioid Use Among Patients With HIV Engaged in Care: Results From a National Cohort Study. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2020, 84: 26-36. PMID: 32267658, PMCID: PMC7147724, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002310.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid useOpioid use trajectoriesCohort studyPain interferenceSelf-reported opioid useVeterans Aging Cohort StudyVeterans Health Administration sitesInfrequent useOpioid use frequencyMarijuana useAging Cohort StudyNational cohort studyEvidence-based treatmentsGroup-based trajectory modelsProspective cohortBaseline factorsIllness severityMultivariable analysisBenzodiazepine medicationVA carePsychoactive medicationsPrescription painkillersPsychiatric symptomsHeroin useMultinomial logistic regressionAssociation of Alcohol Screening Scores With Adverse Mental Health Conditions and Substance Use Among US Adults
Khan MR, Young KE, Caniglia EC, Fiellin DA, Maisto SA, Marshall BDL, Edelman EJ, Gaither JR, Chichetto NE, Tate J, Bryant KJ, Severe M, Stevens ER, Justice A, Braithwaite SR. Association of Alcohol Screening Scores With Adverse Mental Health Conditions and Substance Use Among US Adults. JAMA Network Open 2020, 3: e200895. PMID: 32163167, PMCID: PMC7068229, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.0895.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol Use Disorders Identification TestAlcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-ConsumptionAUDIT-C scoresUse of tobaccoAlcohol screeningCohort studyInjection drugsCocaine useVeterans Aging Cohort StudyVeterans Health Administration facilitiesStimulant useAlcohol useAUDIT scoresAging Cohort StudyLongitudinal cohort studyVeterans Health AdministrationAdverse mental health conditionsSite of careFull Alcohol Use Disorders Identification TestMental health conditionsAlcohol Screening ScoresSelf-reported symptomsSymptoms of depressionDisorders Identification TestUse screening toolsInsights Provided by Depression Screening Regarding Pain, Anxiety, and Substance use in a Veteran Population
Stevens ER, Mazumdar M, Caniglia EC, Khan MR, Young KE, Edelman EJ, Gordon AJ, Fiellin DA, Maisto SA, Chichetto NE, Crystal S, Gaither JR, Justice AC, Braithwaite RS. Insights Provided by Depression Screening Regarding Pain, Anxiety, and Substance use in a Veteran Population. Journal Of Primary Care & Community Health 2020, 11: 2150132720949123. PMID: 32772883, PMCID: PMC7418233, DOI: 10.1177/2150132720949123.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPositive predictive valueSubstance useOdds ratioVeterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) dataPHQ-9 scoresPrimary care settingCohort study dataTest performance characteristicsSymptoms of anxietyMedian ageDepression screeningLikelihood ratio valuesDepression screenPHQ-9Care settingsVeteran populationPredictive valueSignificant associationSymptomsDiagnostic assessmentAnxietyStudy dataAdditional informationAssociationPain
2019
Predictors of initiation of and retention on medications for alcohol use disorder among people living with and without HIV
Oldfield BJ, McGinnis KA, Edelman EJ, Williams EC, Gordon AJ, Akgün K, Crystal S, Fiellin LE, Gaither JR, Goulet JL, Korthuis PT, Marshall BDL, Justice AC, Bryant K, Fiellin DA, Kraemer KL. Predictors of initiation of and retention on medications for alcohol use disorder among people living with and without HIV. Journal Of Substance Use And Addiction Treatment 2019, 109: 14-22. PMID: 31856946, PMCID: PMC6982467, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2019.11.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol use disorderUse disordersHIV statusUninfected individualsVeterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) dataEvidence-based medicationsNew alcohol use disorderPrevalence of initiationMultivariable logistic regressionPredictors of initiationFacility-level predictorsCohort study dataMedication initiationPrescription fillsMultivariable analysisBlack raceTreatment gapDecreased oddsNew diagnosisPLWHOlder ageLogistic regressionMedicationsHIVSpecific subpopulations