2024
Prescription Opioid Dose Change Prior to Fatal Opioid-Detected Overdose.
Kazemitabar M, Howell B, Becker W, Lin H, Grau L, Heimer R, D'Onofrio G, Hawk K, Fiellin D, Black A. Prescription Opioid Dose Change Prior to Fatal Opioid-Detected Overdose. Journal Of Studies On Alcohol And Drugs 2024 PMID: 38775307, DOI: 10.15288/jsad.24-00026.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPrescribed opioidsOpioid dose changesRapid dose increaseNon-HispanicOverdose deathsToxicological resultsNon-prescription opioidsBlack non-HispanicMorphine equivalentsOpioid therapyWhite non-HispanicDose changesDaily doseMean ageDispensed opioidsPrescription opioidsPrescribing patternsOpioidDose increaseOpioid overdose crisisIncreasing dosesStudy investigated patternsEffect of timeEffects of ageSecondary analysisAccessibility of Opioid Treatment Programs Based on Conventional vs Perceived Travel Time Measures
Kim J, Lee J, Thornhill T, Dennett J, Lu H, Howell B, Grau L, Fiellin D, Heimer R, Gonsalves G. Accessibility of Opioid Treatment Programs Based on Conventional vs Perceived Travel Time Measures. JAMA Network Open 2024, 7: e240209. PMID: 38376839, PMCID: PMC10879949, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.0209.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTransit travel timeAccessibility metricsTravel timeTravel componentsAccessibility scoresTransportation burdenTravel burdenOut-of-vehicleComponents of travelConventional accessibility measuresSpatial regression modelsTravel time measurementsPublic transitTransit schedulesAccessibility measuresDeparture timeTravel time analysisTrip durationTravelOperating hoursTime analysisCross-sectional studyOpioid use disorderPolicy recommendationsDecision-makingUnderstanding chronic pain in Neurofibromatosis Type 1 using the Neurofibromatosis Pain Module (NFPM)
Buono F, Larkin K, Zempsky W, Grau L, Martin S. Understanding chronic pain in Neurofibromatosis Type 1 using the Neurofibromatosis Pain Module (NFPM). American Journal Of Medical Genetics Part A 2024, 194: e63541. PMID: 38234177, DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63541.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNeurofibromatosis type 1Chronic painImpact of CPPain modulationPain regionsModerate pain severityType 1Autosomal dominant genetic disorderCross-sectional studyQuality of lifeDominant genetic disorderMedical providersPain severitySensitive clinical measureDaily functioningClinical measuresPainEffective treatmentGenetic disordersNeurofibromatosisClinical assessmentMultiple domainsAdultsQuantitative responseProviders
2023
Receipt of opioid use disorder treatments prior to fatal overdoses and comparison to no treatment in Connecticut, 2016–17
Heimer R, Black A, Lin H, Grau L, Fiellin D, Howell B, Hawk K, D'Onofrio G, Becker W. Receipt of opioid use disorder treatments prior to fatal overdoses and comparison to no treatment in Connecticut, 2016–17. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2023, 254: 111040. PMID: 38043226, PMCID: PMC10872282, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.111040.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-medication treatmentsRelative riskOpioid overdose deathsIncidence rateMOUD treatmentOverdose deathsOpioid use disorder treatmentResults Incidence ratesRetrospective cohort studyDifferent treatment modalitiesPopulation-level effortsUse disorder treatmentFatal opioid poisoningsCohort studyOpioid poisoningTreatment modalitiesConclusion ExposurePoisoning deathsFatal overdosesTreatment exposureDisorder treatmentDeathTreatmentMethadoneRisk“It’s starting to weigh on me”: Exploring the Experiences and Support Needs of Harm Reduction Staff in Connecticut using the Social-Ecological Model
Hill K, Dunham K, Grau L, Heimer R. “It’s starting to weigh on me”: Exploring the Experiences and Support Needs of Harm Reduction Staff in Connecticut using the Social-Ecological Model. Harm Reduction Journal 2023, 20: 168. PMID: 37964261, PMCID: PMC10644636, DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00898-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSocial ecological modelSupport needsHarm reduction workersHarm reduction programmingHarm reduction servicesThematic analysis approachProvision of supportStigmatized populationsMeans of supportReduction workersInterpersonal levelCommunity levelHarm reductionDay roleReduction servicesOverdose crisisReduction programmingStaff wellbeingRole-related stressorsRole-related stressFeelings of stressBoundary settingEmotional supportPotential supportIndividual levelXylazine in the drug supply: Emerging threats and lessons learned in areas with high levels of adulteration
Quijano T, Crowell J, Eggert K, Clark K, Alexander M, Grau L, Heimer R. Xylazine in the drug supply: Emerging threats and lessons learned in areas with high levels of adulteration. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2023, 120: 104154. PMID: 37574646, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104154.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHarm reduction service providersDrug supplySedative-analgesic drugsFatal opioid overdosesOpioid overdose fatalitiesPresence of fentanylMedical examiner dataIllicit drug supplyInjection of xylazineFentanyl test stripsPrevention needsOpioid usersAnalgesic drugsOpioid overdosesOverdose deathsOverdose fatalitiesXylazineHealth threatSurvey of peopleDrugsSignificant predictorsFentanylConvenience surveyTest stripsTwo-thirdsExploring stakeholders perspectives on TB contact investigation in Cali, Colombia: a qualitative study
Velosa J, Gómez J, Zúñiga C, Díaz G, Ferro B, Davis J, Grau L. Exploring stakeholders perspectives on TB contact investigation in Cali, Colombia: a qualitative study. Frontiers In Public Health 2023, 11: 1204862. PMID: 37564424, PMCID: PMC10411903, DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1204862.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTB contact investigationContact investigationPublic health staffHealth workersHousehold contactsTB knowledgeTB casesTest uptakeHealth staffHousehold visitsHealth OrganizationTuberculosis case findingNational public health authoritiesPublic health authoritiesWorld Health OrganizationPublic health organizationsMiddle-income countriesTB controlCase findingThematic analysisHealth authoritiesDiagnostic testsInductive thematic analysisSemi-structured interviewsMain barriersTechnical violations and infractions are drivers of disengagement from methadone treatment among people with opioid use disorder discharged from Connecticut jails 2014–2018
Marotta P, Hass A, Viera A, Doernberg M, Barbour R, Grau L, Heimer R. Technical violations and infractions are drivers of disengagement from methadone treatment among people with opioid use disorder discharged from Connecticut jails 2014–2018. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, And Policy 2023, 18: 43. PMID: 37420271, PMCID: PMC10329353, DOI: 10.1186/s13011-023-00541-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConcordance between controlled substance receipt and post-mortem toxicology in opioid-detected overdose deaths: A statewide analysis
Howell B, Black A, Grau L, Lin H, Greene C, Lee H, Heimer R, Hawk K, D'Onofrio G, Fiellin D, Becker W. Concordance between controlled substance receipt and post-mortem toxicology in opioid-detected overdose deaths: A statewide analysis. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2023, 244: 109788. PMID: 36738634, PMCID: PMC9975083, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109788.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPost-mortem toxicologyOverdose deathsChief Medical ExaminerBenzodiazepine prescribingBenzodiazepine prescriptionsPrimary outcomePreventable deathsOpioid overdosesOpioidsAddiction servicesBenzodiazepinesMental healthStudy periodDeathMedical examinersConcordanceStatewide analysisSubstantial numberReceiptDaysDepartmentMedicationsToxicologyFentanylPrescribingCost-Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Approaches in Emergency Departments
Miller T, Johnson M, Dziura J, Weiss J, Carpenter K, Grau L, Pantalon M, Abroms L, Collins L, Toll B, Bernstein S. Cost-Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Approaches in Emergency Departments. American Journal Of Preventive Medicine 2023, 65: 39-44. PMID: 36710199, PMCID: PMC10293014, DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2023.01.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSmoking cessation interventionNicotine replacement therapyCessation interventionsReplacement therapyEmergency departmentMulticomponent smoking cessation interventionSmoking cessation approachesEmergency department visitsEffects of briefCessation approachesQuitline referralDepartment visitsTobacco treatmentDedicated staffIntervention componentsTobacco productsDistinct interventionsInterventionLow SESUnderstudied populationTherapyHigh rateIdeal timeParticipantsQuitGeographic and temporal trends in fentanyl-detected deaths in Connecticut, 2009–2019
Lu H, Crawford F, Gonsalves G, Grau L. Geographic and temporal trends in fentanyl-detected deaths in Connecticut, 2009–2019. Annals Of Epidemiology 2023, 79: 32-38. PMID: 36669599, PMCID: PMC10163838, DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2023.01.009.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2022
Successful Optimization of Tobacco Dependence Treatment in the Emergency Department: A Randomized Controlled Trial Using the Multiphase Optimization Strategy
Bernstein S, Dziura J, Weiss J, Brooks A, Miller T, Vickerman K, Grau L, Pantalon M, Abroms L, Collins L, Toll B. Successful Optimization of Tobacco Dependence Treatment in the Emergency Department: A Randomized Controlled Trial Using the Multiphase Optimization Strategy. Annals Of Emergency Medicine 2022, 81: 209-221. PMID: 36585318, PMCID: PMC9868063, DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2022.08.018.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBrief Negotiation InterviewNicotine replacement therapyTobacco dependence treatmentEmergency departmentHospital emergency departmentReplacement therapyDependence treatmentMultiphase optimization strategyNicotine replacement therapy prescriptionTobacco dependence interventionsExhaled carbon monoxidePrimary endpointFirst doseControlled TrialsAbstinence ratesTelephone quitlinesClinical efficacyTherapy prescriptionTobacco abstinenceActive referralOdds ratioAdult smokersMulticomponent interventionPrimary analysisTherapyDevelopment and pilot-testing of a hepatitis C reinfection prevention intervention for patients in treatment for hepatitis C infection
Viera A, Grau L, Fisher J, Farnum S, Tetrault J, Scott G, Heimer R. Development and pilot-testing of a hepatitis C reinfection prevention intervention for patients in treatment for hepatitis C infection. Drug And Alcohol Dependence Reports 2022, 3: 100038. PMID: 36845980, PMCID: PMC9948939, DOI: 10.1016/j.dadr.2022.100038.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2021
Pilot Evaluations of Two Bluetooth Contact Tracing Approaches on a University Campus: Mixed Methods Study
Shelby T, Caruthers T, Kanner OY, Schneider R, Lipnickas D, Grau L, Manohar R, Niccolai L. Pilot Evaluations of Two Bluetooth Contact Tracing Approaches on a University Campus: Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Formative Research 2021, 5: e31086. PMID: 34586078, PMCID: PMC8555945, DOI: 10.2196/31086.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2020
1644. “And the stick to fight TB is IPT”: Perspectives on TPT Implementation Among Senior Nurses in Rural South Africa
Grammatico M, Ahmed A, Grau L, Moll A, Shenoi S. 1644. “And the stick to fight TB is IPT”: Perspectives on TPT Implementation Among Senior Nurses in Rural South Africa. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2020, 7: s811-s811. PMCID: PMC7777536, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.1824.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIsoniazid preventive therapyWorld Health OrganizationPreventative therapyMedian age 39 yearsSenior nursesTB preventative therapyPatient-level factorsPrimary health clinicsPrimary care clinicsAge 39 yearsHigh-volume clinicsHealth care experiencesResource-limited settingsBackground TuberculosisAntiretroviral therapyHigh tuberculosisChronic medicationsPill burdenPreventive therapyTB burdenHigh HIVCare clinicsConclusion NursesHIV prevalenceStandardized training program
2015
Prevalence and experience of chronic pain in suburban drug injectors
Heimer R, Zhan W, Grau LE. Prevalence and experience of chronic pain in suburban drug injectors. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2015, 151: 92-100. PMID: 25841984, PMCID: PMC4447527, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.03.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-medical opioid useChronic painHepatitis BOpioid useSerological testingDrug injectorsCo-occurring chronic painCurrent chronic painInjection drug useInjection drug usersCross-sectional studyInfectious disease treatmentSignificant complicationsSuccessful treatmentMonths durationOpioid overdosePharmaceutical opioidsDrug treatmentStudy populationPainDrug usersPsychological statusDrug useOlder agePast month
2014
Factors associated with hepatitis B vaccine series completion in a randomized trial for injection drug users reached through syringe exchange programs in three US cities
Bowman S, Grau LE, Singer M, Scott G, Heimer R. Factors associated with hepatitis B vaccine series completion in a randomized trial for injection drug users reached through syringe exchange programs in three US cities. BMC Public Health 2014, 14: 820. PMID: 25107530, PMCID: PMC4138371, DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-820.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection drug usersSyringe exchange programsThree-dose vaccine seriesVaccine seriesVaccination ratesDrug usersHealth interventionsStandard HBV vaccination scheduleBackgroundHepatitis B virusHBV vaccination scheduleVaccine series completionVaccine-preventable infectionsSelf-rated health scoresPublic health interventionsDeterminants of completionHepatitis vaccinationVaccine scheduleVaccination schedulePersonal health statusLast visitLongstanding recommendationsPreventable infectionsB virusHealth beliefsHealth scoresProcessing length bias of time intervals between the last episode and the interview in Gamma-Poisson models of behavior
Zelterman D, Suvorova A, Paschenko A, Musina V, Tulupyev A, Tulupyeva T, Krasnoselskikh T, Grau L, Heimer R. Processing length bias of time intervals between the last episode and the interview in Gamma-Poisson models of behavior. SPIIRAS Proceedings 2014, 1: 160-185. DOI: 10.15622/sp.16.6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchRegression diagnostics in the rate analysis based on data about the last episodes
Zelterman D, Suvorova A, Paschenko A, Musina V, Tulupyev A, Tulupyeva T, Grau L, Heimer R. Regression diagnostics in the rate analysis based on data about the last episodes. SPIIRAS Proceedings 2014, 2: 33-46. DOI: 10.15622/sp.17.2.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2013
Drug users in Hanoi, Vietnam: factors associated with membership in community-based drug user groups
Hayes-Larson E, Grau LE, Khoshnood K, Barbour R, Khuat OT, Heimer R. Drug users in Hanoi, Vietnam: factors associated with membership in community-based drug user groups. Harm Reduction Journal 2013, 10: 33. PMID: 24268108, PMCID: PMC4176489, DOI: 10.1186/1477-7517-10-33.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDrug user groupsResult of membershipDomains of knowledgeInjection-related harmsLongitudinal studyGreater historyDrug usePost-hoc evaluationMembershipLow statistical powerFurther longitudinal studiesQuality of lifeUser groupsFaceHigh levelsPeersMore attentionHealth issuesMultivariate modelBeingHarm reductionDrug usersKnowledge variablesHarmVariables