Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with overdose among patients with a substance-related diagnosis in the emergency department of Southern California
Abstract Background Drug overdoses are a significant public health concern, but there is limited research on the associated factors among patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED). We investigated the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with drug overdoses among patie...
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Harm Reduction Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-025-01233-9 |
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| author | Brian Maila María Luisa Zúñiga Carla Marienfeld |
| author_facet | Brian Maila María Luisa Zúñiga Carla Marienfeld |
| author_sort | Brian Maila |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Drug overdoses are a significant public health concern, but there is limited research on the associated factors among patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED). We investigated the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with drug overdoses among patients with substance-related diagnoses (SRD) in a Southern California healthcare system’s ED. Methods A cross-sectional study employed EPIC electronic medical records from a sample of 13,477 adults (18–90 years of age) diagnosed with an SRD ICD-10 classification and had an ED encounter within the UCSD Health system in Southern California during the period from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2023. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were utilized to ascertain sociodemographic and clinical characteristics correlated with overdoses. Results The odds of experiencing an overdose were higher among individuals with a cannabis-related diagnosis (aOR = 1.21, p < 0.05) in comparison to those lacking such a diagnosis, among individuals with an Opioid-related diagnosis (aOR = 1.14, p < 0.05) when compared to those without an Opioid-related diagnosis. Individuals aged 40–54 had higher odds (aOR = 1.37, p < 0.05) of experiencing an overdose compared to those aged 18–24. Additionally, the odds were more pronounced among Black or African American (aOR = 1.31, p < 0.001) individuals compared to whites, among individuals of Hispanic/Latinx origin (aOR = 1.22, p < 0.001) compared to those of non-Hispanic/Latinx origin, among those with public health insurance (aOR = 1.40, p < 0.001) compared to those with commercial health insurance, and among individuals with any mental health diagnosis (aOR = 1.13, p < 0.05) compared to those without such a diagnosis. In contrast, individuals experiencing overdose were less likely to be female (aOR = 0.78, p < 0.001) compared to male, and less likely to be married/living as married/having a significant other (aOR = 0.69, p < 0.001) compared to those who were single. Conclusion Our research showed that individuals with cannabis or Opioid-related diagnoses had higher odds of experiencing an overdose. Patients with an overdose were typically middle-aged, Black or African American, and Hispanic/Latinx, had public health insurance, and had comorbid mental health diagnoses. They were less likely to be female, married, or in a significant relationship. These findings highlight the importance of sociodemographic and clinical factors in identifying at-risk individuals for targeted interventions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e62876d553ce481aad8b45ad17c587e5 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1477-7517 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Harm Reduction Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-e62876d553ce481aad8b45ad17c587e52025-08-20T01:52:25ZengBMCHarm Reduction Journal1477-75172025-05-0122111310.1186/s12954-025-01233-9Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with overdose among patients with a substance-related diagnosis in the emergency department of Southern CaliforniaBrian Maila0María Luisa Zúñiga1Carla Marienfeld2Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San DiegoSchool of Social Work, University of California, San DiegoDepartment of Psychiatry, University of California, San DiegoAbstract Background Drug overdoses are a significant public health concern, but there is limited research on the associated factors among patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED). We investigated the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with drug overdoses among patients with substance-related diagnoses (SRD) in a Southern California healthcare system’s ED. Methods A cross-sectional study employed EPIC electronic medical records from a sample of 13,477 adults (18–90 years of age) diagnosed with an SRD ICD-10 classification and had an ED encounter within the UCSD Health system in Southern California during the period from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2023. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were utilized to ascertain sociodemographic and clinical characteristics correlated with overdoses. Results The odds of experiencing an overdose were higher among individuals with a cannabis-related diagnosis (aOR = 1.21, p < 0.05) in comparison to those lacking such a diagnosis, among individuals with an Opioid-related diagnosis (aOR = 1.14, p < 0.05) when compared to those without an Opioid-related diagnosis. Individuals aged 40–54 had higher odds (aOR = 1.37, p < 0.05) of experiencing an overdose compared to those aged 18–24. Additionally, the odds were more pronounced among Black or African American (aOR = 1.31, p < 0.001) individuals compared to whites, among individuals of Hispanic/Latinx origin (aOR = 1.22, p < 0.001) compared to those of non-Hispanic/Latinx origin, among those with public health insurance (aOR = 1.40, p < 0.001) compared to those with commercial health insurance, and among individuals with any mental health diagnosis (aOR = 1.13, p < 0.05) compared to those without such a diagnosis. In contrast, individuals experiencing overdose were less likely to be female (aOR = 0.78, p < 0.001) compared to male, and less likely to be married/living as married/having a significant other (aOR = 0.69, p < 0.001) compared to those who were single. Conclusion Our research showed that individuals with cannabis or Opioid-related diagnoses had higher odds of experiencing an overdose. Patients with an overdose were typically middle-aged, Black or African American, and Hispanic/Latinx, had public health insurance, and had comorbid mental health diagnoses. They were less likely to be female, married, or in a significant relationship. These findings highlight the importance of sociodemographic and clinical factors in identifying at-risk individuals for targeted interventions.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-025-01233-9Substance-related diagnosisSubstance use disorderEmergency health servicesSocial determinantsHealth disparitiesDrug overdose |
| spellingShingle | Brian Maila María Luisa Zúñiga Carla Marienfeld Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with overdose among patients with a substance-related diagnosis in the emergency department of Southern California Harm Reduction Journal Substance-related diagnosis Substance use disorder Emergency health services Social determinants Health disparities Drug overdose |
| title | Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with overdose among patients with a substance-related diagnosis in the emergency department of Southern California |
| title_full | Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with overdose among patients with a substance-related diagnosis in the emergency department of Southern California |
| title_fullStr | Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with overdose among patients with a substance-related diagnosis in the emergency department of Southern California |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with overdose among patients with a substance-related diagnosis in the emergency department of Southern California |
| title_short | Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with overdose among patients with a substance-related diagnosis in the emergency department of Southern California |
| title_sort | sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with overdose among patients with a substance related diagnosis in the emergency department of southern california |
| topic | Substance-related diagnosis Substance use disorder Emergency health services Social determinants Health disparities Drug overdose |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-025-01233-9 |
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