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 assaults
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
2020
Does 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 tools
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 subpopulationsHigh-dose prescribed opioids are associated with increased risk of heroin use among United States military veterans.
Banerjee G, Edelman EJ, Barry DT, Crystal S, Gordon KS, Gordon AJ, Gaither JR, Green TC, Kerns RD, Manhapra A, Moore BA, Fiellin DA, Marshall BDL. High-dose prescribed opioids are associated with increased risk of heroin use among United States military veterans. Pain 2019, 160: 2126-2135. PMID: 31145217, PMCID: PMC6699915, DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001606.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHigh-dose opioid prescriptionsOpioid prescriptionsHeroin useCohort studyPrior receiptHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection statusLong-term opioid prescriptionsPast-year heroin useVeterans Aging Cohort StudyHigh-dose opioidsOpioid-prescribing patternsProspective cohort studyAging Cohort StudyOpioid use disorderCurrent national guidelinesUnhealthy alcohol useUnited States veteransUnited States military veteransVirus infection statusPosttraumatic stress disorderOpioid receiptPrescribed opioidsPain interferenceCox regressionStates veteransPatterns and Correlates of Prescription Opioid Receipt Among US Veterans: A National, 18-Year Observational Cohort Study
Rentsch CT, Edelman EJ, Justice AC, Marshall BDL, Xu K, Smith AH, Crystal S, Gaither JR, Gordon AJ, Smith RV, Kember RL, Polimanti R, Gelernter J, Fiellin DA, Tate JP, Kranzler HR, Becker WC. Patterns and Correlates of Prescription Opioid Receipt Among US Veterans: A National, 18-Year Observational Cohort Study. AIDS And Behavior 2019, 23: 3340-3349. PMID: 31317364, PMCID: PMC7344341, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-019-02608-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderOpioid receiptCohort studyLong-term opioid therapyVeterans Aging Cohort StudyLatent growth mixture modellingPrescription opioid receiptObservational cohort studyAging Cohort StudyOpioid therapyCause mortalityHepatitis COpioid prescriptionsFuture prevention researchOUD diagnosisGrowth mixture modellingUS veteransHigh prevalenceLow doseHigh incidenceUse disordersPrevention researchGenetic discoveriesReceiptHIVPredictors of timely opioid agonist treatment initiation among veterans with and without HIV
Wyse JJ, Robbins JL, McGinnis KA, Edelman EJ, Gordon AJ, Manhapra A, Fiellin DA, Moore BA, Korthuis PT, Gaither JR, Gordon K, Skanderson M, Barry DT, Crystal S, Justice A, Kraemer KL. Predictors of timely opioid agonist treatment initiation among veterans with and without HIV. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2019, 198: 70-75. PMID: 30878769, PMCID: PMC6836871, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.01.038.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyOpioid use disorderVeterans Aging Cohort StudyOAT initiationUninfected patientsClinical encountersNational observational cohortAging Cohort StudyAfrican American patientsImproved health outcomesAgonist therapyCohort studyObservational cohortTreatment initiationPredictive factorsEffective treatmentAdjusted modelUninfected controlsUse disordersPsychiatric diagnosisPWHClinical practicePatientsHealth outcomesRural residenceOral injuries in children less than 24 months of age in a pediatric emergency department
Woolf SM, Leventhal JM, Gaither JR, Hardikar P, Langhan ML, Bechtel K, Auerbach MA, Tiyyagura G. Oral injuries in children less than 24 months of age in a pediatric emergency department. Child Abuse & Neglect 2019, 89: 70-77. PMID: 30639971, DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.01.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPediatric emergency departmentOral injuriesChief complaintEmergency departmentAbuse evaluationsTertiary care pediatric emergency departmentMedical chief complaintsMonths old presentingPediatric emergency medicine physiciansProspective observational studyComplete oral examinationEmergency medicine physiciansMonths of ageYoung childrenOld presentingPatient demographicsInjury detailsChildren 12Children 0Observational studyOral examinationMedicine physiciansNon-mobile childrenInjuryPatientsAssociation of Prescribed Opioids With Increased Risk of Community-Acquired Pneumonia Among Patients With and Without HIV
Edelman EJ, Gordon KS, Crothers K, Akgün K, Bryant KJ, Becker WC, Gaither JR, Gibert CL, Gordon AJ, Marshall BDL, Rodriguez-Barradas MC, Samet JH, Justice AC, Tate JP, Fiellin DA. Association of Prescribed Opioids With Increased Risk of Community-Acquired Pneumonia Among Patients With and Without HIV. JAMA Internal Medicine 2019, 179: 297-304. PMID: 30615036, PMCID: PMC6439696, DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.6101.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVeterans Aging Cohort StudyCommunity-acquired pneumoniaImmunosuppressive propertiesPrescribed opioidsCaP riskHIV statusMedian morphine equivalent daily doseVeterans Health Administration medical centersMorphine equivalent daily doseEquivalent daily doseAging Cohort StudyCase-control studyImmune-related outcomesRace/ethnicityIndex dateOpioid exposureCohort studyDaily doseOpioid propertiesStratified analysisMedical CenterMAIN OUTCOMEOpioidsMedicaid dataHIVCharacteristics That Distinguish Abusive From Nonabusive Causes of Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths
Bechtel K, Derbyshire M, Gaither JR, Leventhal JM. Characteristics That Distinguish Abusive From Nonabusive Causes of Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths. Pediatric Emergency Care 2019, 37: e780-e783. PMID: 30829845, DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000001787.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSudden unexpected infant deathUnexpected infant deathChild protective services involvementTime of deathSentinel injuryManner of deathSpontaneous circulationInfant deathEmergency medical services transportEmergency department settingMaternal substance useCase-control designService involvementMedical examiner recordsClinical outcomesEmergency departmentDepartment settingCardiopulmonary resuscitationFatal child abuseServices transportSubstance useDeathFurther studiesSignificant differencesInfants
2018
Duration of opioid prescriptions predicts incident nonmedical use of prescription opioids among U.S. veterans receiving medical care
Barry DT, Marshall BDL, Becker WC, Gordon AJ, Crystal S, Kerns RD, Gaither JR, Gordon KS, Justice AC, Fiellin DA, Edelman EJ. Duration of opioid prescriptions predicts incident nonmedical use of prescription opioids among U.S. veterans receiving medical care. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2018, 191: 348-354. PMID: 30176548, PMCID: PMC6596307, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.07.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrescription opioid receiptPrescription opioidsMedical careOpioid receiptVeterans Health Administration primary careNonmedical useMultivariable Cox modelInfectious disease clinicProspective cohort studyProportional hazards regressionPrescription opioid medicationsPublic health problemSubstance use disordersMedication-related characteristicsOpioid therapyOpioid medicationsOpioid prescriptionsCohort studyDisease clinicMedian ageHazards regressionEligible participantsPrimary careRisk factorsIncidence ratePreventing child maltreatment: Examination of an established statewide home-visiting program
Chaiyachati BH, Gaither JR, Hughes M, Foley-Schain K, Leventhal JM. Preventing child maltreatment: Examination of an established statewide home-visiting program. Child Abuse & Neglect 2018, 79: 476-484. PMID: 29558714, PMCID: PMC5894115, DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.02.019.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAlcohol and Mortality
Eyawo O, McGinnis KA, Justice AC, Fiellin DA, Hahn JA, Williams EC, Gordon AJ, Marshall BDL, Kraemer KL, Crystal S, Gaither JR, Edelman EJ, Bryant KJ, Tate JP. Alcohol and Mortality. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2018, 77: 135-143. PMID: 29112041, PMCID: PMC5762259, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001588.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHepatitis C virusAlcohol exposureAlcohol useDirect biomarkerVeterans Aging Cohort Study Biomarker CohortBlood collection dateRecent alcohol exposureHIV viral suppressionUnhealthy alcohol useRelationship of alcoholAUDIT-C scoresViral suppressionC virusHigh riskRisk of harmHIVClinical settingMortalityPEthExposureBiomarkersRiskImproved detectionAuditIndividualsRacial/ethnic differences in the association between alcohol use and mortality among men living with HIV
Bensley KM, McGinnis KA, Fiellin DA, Gordon AJ, Kraemer KL, Bryant KJ, Edelman EJ, Crystal S, Gaither JR, Korthuis PT, Marshall BDL, Ornelas IJ, Chan KCG, Dombrowski JC, Fortney JC, Justice AC, Williams EC. Racial/ethnic differences in the association between alcohol use and mortality among men living with HIV. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice 2018, 13: 2. PMID: 29353555, PMCID: PMC6389249, DOI: 10.1186/s13722-017-0103-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLow-risk alcohol useMortality riskAlcohol useRace/ethnicityWhite PLWHMortality rateAlcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) questionnaireVeterans Aging Cohort StudyCox proportional hazards modelHigh-risk alcohol useAUDIT-C screeningAging Cohort StudyElectronic health record dataRisk of mortalityHigh-risk relativesUnhealthy alcohol useHigher mortality riskProportional hazards modelHealth record dataHigh mortality rateEthnic groupsMale PLWHCohort studyWhite patientsGeneral outpatients
2017
Abusive fracture incidence over three decades at a level 1 pediatric trauma center
Sharkey MS, Buesser KE, Gaither JR, Tate V, Cooperman DR, Moles RL, Silva CT, Ehrlich LJ, Leventhal JM. Abusive fracture incidence over three decades at a level 1 pediatric trauma center. Child Abuse & Neglect 2017, 76: 364-371. PMID: 29195174, DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.11.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPediatric trauma centerLevel 1 pediatric trauma centerAbusive fracturesTrauma centerED visitsSingle pediatric trauma centerSame trauma centerSingle-institution reviewFracture incidenceInstitution reviewEmergency departmentIncidenceAgeChildrenConsensus ratingsRecent dataTime periodVisitsFracturesCurrent studyRecent time periodPeriodGeographic regionsCenterStudy