2022
Self-Reported Cannabis Use and HIV Viral Control among Patients with HIV Engaged in Care: Results from a National Cohort Study
Bahji A, Li Y, Vickers-Smith R, Crystal S, Kerns RD, Gordon KS, Macmadu A, Skanderson M, So-Armah K, Sung ML, Bhondoekhan F, Marshall BDL, Edelman EJ. Self-Reported Cannabis Use and HIV Viral Control among Patients with HIV Engaged in Care: Results from a National Cohort Study. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2022, 19: 5649. PMID: 35565045, PMCID: PMC9101884, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095649.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnti-HIV AgentsCannabisCohort StudiesFemaleHIV InfectionsHumansMaleMedication AdherenceMiddle AgedSelf ReportViral LoadConceptsDetectable viral loadPast-year cannabis useViral loadAntiretroviral therapyCannabis useCohort studyUnadjusted analysesViral controlDetectable HIV viral loadVeterans Aging Cohort StudyHIV viral controlHIV viral loadAging Cohort StudyFirst study visitHIV-1 RNANational cohort studyBenefits of cannabisSelf-reported cannabis usePast-year useMean ageStudy visitHigher oddsPWHSignificant associationSubstance useAssociation Between Exposure to Complementary and Integrative Therapies and Opioid Analgesic Daily Dose Among Patients on Long-term Opioid Therapy
Black AC, Zeliadt SB, Kerns RD, Skanderson M, Wang R, Gelman H, Douglas JH, Becker WC. Association Between Exposure to Complementary and Integrative Therapies and Opioid Analgesic Daily Dose Among Patients on Long-term Opioid Therapy. The Clinical Journal Of Pain 2022, 38: 405-409. PMID: 35440528, DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000001039.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnalgesics, OpioidChronic PainCohort StudiesComplementary TherapiesFemaleHumansMaleMorphine DerivativesVeteransConceptsLong-term opioid therapyMorphine equivalent daily doseVeterans Health AdministrationDaily doseCIH exposureOpioid doseOpioid therapyWhole health systemCIH useVHA electronic health recordsIntegrative health modalitiesOpioid analgesic doseMean starting doseMental health diagnosesElectronic health recordsAnalgesic doseCIH therapiesNonopioid treatmentCohort entryOpioid taperingStarting doseAdverse eventsPain intensityChiropractic careVHA facilitiesLongitudinal analysis of the prevalence and correlates of heavy episodic drinking and self‐reported opioid use among a national cohort of patients with HIV
Oldfield BJ, Li Y, Vickers‐Smith R, Barry DT, Crystal S, Gordon KS, Kerns RD, Williams EC, Marshall BDL, Edelman EJ. Longitudinal analysis of the prevalence and correlates of heavy episodic drinking and self‐reported opioid use among a national cohort of patients with HIV. Alcohol Clinical And Experimental Research 2022, 46: 600-613. PMID: 35257397, PMCID: PMC9018502, DOI: 10.1111/acer.14801.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSelf-reported opioid useOpioid useHeavy episodic drinkingNational cohortRisk factorsDepressive symptomsVeterans Aging Cohort StudyVeterans Health Administration sitesOpioid-related risksHIV disease progressionModifiable risk factorsPast-year cigarette smokingAging Cohort StudyGreater illness severityEpisodic drinkingOpioid-related overdoseHigh-risk drinkingCohort studyProspective cohortIllness severityCigarette smokingClinical correlatesDisease progressionLower oddsMultinomial logistic regression
2021
Sociodemographic and clinical correlates of gabapentin receipt with and without opioids among a national cohort of patients with HIV
Oldfield BJ, Li Y, Vickers-Smith R, Becker WC, Barry DT, Crystal S, Gordon KS, Kerns RD, Rentsch CT, Marshall BDL, Edelman EJ. Sociodemographic and clinical correlates of gabapentin receipt with and without opioids among a national cohort of patients with HIV. AIDS Care 2021, 34: 1053-1063. PMID: 34114904, PMCID: PMC8664891, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2021.1939851.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnalgesics, OpioidChronic PainCohort StudiesGabapentinHIV InfectionsHumansOpioid-Related DisordersProspective StudiesConceptsOpioid useHigh dosesSelf-reported opioid useVeterans Aging Cohort StudyHigh-dose opioidsMean daily doseAging Cohort StudyHigh-dose benzodiazepinesNational prospective cohortOpioid doseOpioid receiptCohort studyFoot painProspective cohortDaily doseIndependent predictorsChronic painPain interferenceClinical variablesClinical correlatesNational cohortMultinomial logistic regressionPWHLogistic regressionOpioidsLong-term Patterns of Self-reported Opioid Use, VACS Index, and Mortality Among People with HIV Engaged in Care
Adams JW, Li Y, Barry DT, Gordon KS, Kerns RD, Oldfield BJ, Rentsch CT, Marshall BDL, Edelman EJ. Long-term Patterns of Self-reported Opioid Use, VACS Index, and Mortality Among People with HIV Engaged in Care. AIDS And Behavior 2021, 25: 2951-2962. PMID: 33569682, PMCID: PMC8442670, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03162-7.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2020
All-cause mortality among males living with and without HIV initiating long-term opioid therapy, and its association with opioid dose, opioid interruption and other factors
Gordon K, Manhapra A, Crystal S, Dziura J, Edelman E, Skanderson M, Kerns R, Justice A, Tate J, Becker W. All-cause mortality among males living with and without HIV initiating long-term opioid therapy, and its association with opioid dose, opioid interruption and other factors. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2020, 216: 108291. PMID: 33011662, PMCID: PMC7644145, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108291.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMorphine equivalent daily doseCause mortalityLong-term opioid therapyTime-updated Cox regressionStrong dose-response relationshipUnnatural deathsEquivalent daily doseDose-response relationshipOpioid doseOpioid therapyUninfected patientsOpioid useDaily doseCox regressionMortality outcomesTherapy doseHigh doseMale veteransOverdose fatalitiesOverdose mortalityPLWHMortalityHIVPatientsDoseNeuropsychological assessments and psychotherapeutic services in Veterans with multiple sclerosis: Rates of utilization and their associations with socio-demographics and clinical characteristics using Veterans Health Administration-based data
Gromisch ES, Kulas JF, Altalib H, Kerns RD, Mattocks KM, Brandt CA, Haskell S. Neuropsychological assessments and psychotherapeutic services in Veterans with multiple sclerosis: Rates of utilization and their associations with socio-demographics and clinical characteristics using Veterans Health Administration-based data. Multiple Sclerosis And Related Disorders 2020, 43: 102220. PMID: 32480347, DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2020.102220.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVeterans Health AdministrationCo-occurring conditionsMultiple sclerosisWomen Veterans Cohort StudyService utilizationClinical characteristicsMood disordersService useHealth AdministrationVHA Corporate Data WarehouseNeuropsychological assessmentAlcohol-related disordersTraumatic brain injuryMental health servicesPsychotherapeutic servicesCorporate Data WarehouseRace/ethnicityCohort studyDiagnosis dateBrain injuryComprehensive careSleep disordersInitial appointmentSubsequent logistic regressionCognitive disordersTrajectories 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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedCohort StudiesFemaleHIV InfectionsHumansMaleMiddle AgedOpioid-Related DisordersUnited StatesConceptsOpioid 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 regressionAre we missing opioid-related deaths among people with HIV?
Becker WC, Gordon KS, Edelman EJ, Goulet JL, Kerns RD, Marshall BDL, Fiellin DA, Justice AC, Tate JP. Are we missing opioid-related deaths among people with HIV? Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2020, 212: 108003. PMID: 32417360, PMCID: PMC9580216, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVeterans Aging Cohort StudyOpioid useOverdose deathsLife-limiting conditionsUnnatural deathsGreater oddsAging Cohort StudyVACS IndexOpioid exposureCohort studyHIV infectionHIV statusRisk factorsOdds ratioDeath filesIndex causeHIVDisease severityDeathDecedentsIllicit useDifferential misclassificationOddsCauseOpioidsThe Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Pain Intensity Among Veterans with Musculoskeletal Disorders: Findings from the MSD Cohort Study
Higgins DM, Buta E, Heapy AA, Driscoll MA, Kerns RD, Masheb R, Becker WC, Hausmann LRM, Bair MJ, Wandner L, Janke EA, Brandt CA, Goulet JL. The Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Pain Intensity Among Veterans with Musculoskeletal Disorders: Findings from the MSD Cohort Study. Pain Medicine 2020, 21: 2563-2572. PMID: 32186722, PMCID: PMC7778330, DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnaa043.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBody Mass IndexCohort StudiesCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMusculoskeletal DiseasesVeteransConceptsBody mass indexVeterans Health AdministrationPain intensityMass indexFunction of BMILow back pain groupOdds of painBack pain groupOverweight/obesityElectronic health record dataHealth record dataUS military veteransMusculoskeletal disorder diagnosisCohort studyOsteoarthritis groupPain groupMean ageNational cohortHigh prevalenceMSD diagnosisMusculoskeletal disordersPainHealth AdministrationDisorder diagnosisCross-sectional data
2019
High-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 veterans
2018
Impact of Cigarette Smoking Status on Pain Intensity Among Veterans With and Without Hepatitis C
Lynch SM, Wilson SM, DeRycke EC, Driscoll MA, Becker WC, Goulet JL, Kerns RD, Mattocks KM, Brandt CA, Bathulapalli H, Skanderson M, Haskell SG, Bastian LA. Impact of Cigarette Smoking Status on Pain Intensity Among Veterans With and Without Hepatitis C. Pain Medicine 2018, 19: s5-s11. PMID: 30203017, DOI: 10.1093/pm/pny146.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHepatitis C virusSevere pain intensityPain intensityElectronic medical recordsCurrent smokersSmoking statusVeterans Health Administration primary care clinicsOperations Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom/New DawnIndependent risk factorInteraction of smokingNumeric rating scalePrimary care clinicsHigher pain intensityCigarette smoking statusICD-9 codesOEF/OIF/OND veteransCross-sectional analysisCohort studyCurrent smokingHepatitis C.Severe painPain managementTobacco smokingCare clinicsChronic painProject STEP: Implementing the Veterans Health Administration’s Stepped Care Model of Pain Management
Edmond SN, Moore BA, Dorflinger LM, Goulet JL, Becker WC, Heapy AA, Sellinger JJ, Lee AW, Levin FL, Ruser CB, Kerns RD. Project STEP: Implementing the Veterans Health Administration’s Stepped Care Model of Pain Management. Pain Medicine 2018, 19: s30-s37. PMID: 30203015, DOI: 10.1093/pm/pny094.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVA Connecticut Healthcare SystemPrimary care providersVeterans Health AdministrationPain careStepped care modelCare providersPain managementCare modelHealth care utilization dataMultimodal pain careNonopioid analgesic prescribingLong-term opioidsElectronic health record dataPain intensity ratingsHealth record dataClinical health psychologyNonpharmacological servicesAnalgesic prescribingOpioid prescribingPharmacological managementNonpharmacological approachesNonpharmacological treatmentsReferral practicesPhysical therapyCare practicesRelationships Between Temporomandibular Disorders, MSD Conditions, and Mental Health Comorbidities: Findings from the Veterans Musculoskeletal Disorders Cohort
Fenton BT, Goulet JL, Bair MJ, Cowley T, Kerns RD. Relationships Between Temporomandibular Disorders, MSD Conditions, and Mental Health Comorbidities: Findings from the Veterans Musculoskeletal Disorders Cohort. Pain Medicine 2018, 19: s61-s68. PMID: 30203016, DOI: 10.1093/pm/pny145.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMental health comorbiditiesTemporomandibular disordersRace/ethnicityHealth comorbiditiesTMD casesAssociation of TMDNational Veterans Health AdministrationNonwhite race/ethnicityNontraumatic joint disordersChronic painful conditionsVeterans Health AdministrationChi-square testCross-sectional analysisObservational cohortBack painPainful conditionsJoint disordersComorbidity patternsMood disordersHispanic ethnicityHispanic womenMale veteransComorbiditiesHealth AdministrationDisorder cohortDuration 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 rate
2017
Examining Gender as a Correlate of Self-Reported Pain Treatment Use Among Recent Service Veterans with Deployment-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
Driscoll MA, Higgins D, Shamaskin-Garroway A, Burger A, Buta E, Goulet JL, Heapy A, Kerns RD, Brandt CA, Haskell SG. Examining Gender as a Correlate of Self-Reported Pain Treatment Use Among Recent Service Veterans with Deployment-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders. Pain Medicine 2017, 18: 1767-1777. PMID: 28379576, DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnx023.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPain treatment modalitiesChronic painSelf-reported useCIH servicesPain treatmentPain careMusculoskeletal conditionsTreatment modalitiesRehabilitation therapyIntegrative health servicesInterventional pain treatmentsChronic pain treatmentWomen Veterans Cohort StudyVeterans Health AdministrationMental health conditionsSelf-rated healthGender differencesSample of veteransCorrelates of SelfCohort studyPain severityCare utilizationSpecialty careTreatment useInterventional strategiesGender Differences in Demographic and Clinical Correlates among Veterans with Musculoskeletal Disorders
Higgins DM, Fenton BT, Driscoll MA, Heapy AA, Kerns RD, Bair MJ, Carroll C, Brennan PL, Burgess DJ, Piette JD, Haskell SG, Brandt CA, Goulet JL. Gender Differences in Demographic and Clinical Correlates among Veterans with Musculoskeletal Disorders. Women's Health Issues 2017, 27: 463-470. PMID: 28325585, DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2017.01.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAnxietyChronic PainCohort StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedMigraine DisordersMusculoskeletal DiseasesMusculoskeletal PainPain ManagementSeverity of Illness IndexSex FactorsSocioeconomic FactorsSubstance-Related DisordersUnited StatesUnited States Department of Veterans AffairsVeteransConceptsMusculoskeletal disordersClinical correlatesPain intensity numeric rating scalePain-related disabilityNumeric rating scaleGreater pain intensityDiagnosis of fibromyalgiaBack pain conditionsMental health conditionsSubstance use disordersGender differencesNeck painPain serviceSevere painPain conditionsPain intensityChronic painTemporomandibular disordersPainful conditionsCardiovascular diseaseMigraine headacheHigh riskLower oddsMSD diagnosisUse disorders
2016
Cigarette Smoking Status and Receipt of an Opioid Prescription Among Veterans of Recent Wars
Bastian LA, Driscoll MA, Heapy AA, Becker WC, Goulet JL, Kerns RD, DeRycke EC, Perez E, Lynch SM, Mattocks K, Kroll-Desrosiers AR, Brandt CA, Skanderson M, Bathulapalli H, Haskell SG. Cigarette Smoking Status and Receipt of an Opioid Prescription Among Veterans of Recent Wars. Pain Medicine 2016, 18: 1089-1097. PMID: 27659441, DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnw223.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCurrent pain intensityOpioid prescriptionsPain intensitySmoking statusOEF/OIF/OND veteransCurrent smokersFormer smokersOpioid useVeterans Health Administration primary care clinicsOperations Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom/New DawnMild pain intensityMore opioid prescriptionsSevere pain intensityNumeric rating scalePrimary care clinicsCigarette smoking statusCross-sectional analysisOpioid receiptFormer smokingCohort studyCurrent smokingCare clinicsChronic painCigarette smokersSmoking cessation
2015
Trends in Any and High-Dose Opioid Analgesic Receipt Among Aging Patients With and Without HIV
Becker WC, Gordon K, Jennifer Edelman E, Kerns RD, Crystal S, Dziura JD, Fiellin LE, Gordon AJ, Goulet JL, Justice AC, Fiellin DA. Trends in Any and High-Dose Opioid Analgesic Receipt Among Aging Patients With and Without HIV. AIDS And Behavior 2015, 20: 679-686. PMID: 26384973, PMCID: PMC5006945, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-015-1197-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchLong-term Prescription of Opioids and/or Benzodiazepines and Mortality Among HIV-Infected and Uninfected Patients
Weisberg DF, Gordon KS, Barry DT, Becker WC, Crystal S, Edelman EJ, Gaither J, Gordon AJ, Goulet J, Kerns RD, Moore BA, Tate J, Justice AC, Fiellin DA. Long-term Prescription of Opioids and/or Benzodiazepines and Mortality Among HIV-Infected and Uninfected Patients. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2015, 69: 223-233. PMID: 26009831, PMCID: PMC4446730, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000000591.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLong-term opioidsMorphine equivalent daily doseOpioid receiptRisk of deathLong-term prescriptionUninfected patientsOpioid dosesAntiretroviral therapyHazard ratioDaily dosePropensity scoreHigher opioid dosesCause mortalityHIV statusAvailable patientsMortality riskOpioidsHIVPatientsProspective analysisMortalityBenzodiazepinesDosesDeathRisk