학술논문

Physiologic oxygen responses to smoking opioids: an observational study using continuous pulse oximetry at overdose prevention services in British Columbia, Canada
Document Type
Report
Source
Harm Reduction Journal. May 3, 2024, Vol. 21 Issue 1
Subject
Canada
Language
English
ISSN
1477-7517
Abstract
Background In British Columbia, Canada, smoking is the most common modality of drug use among people who die of opioid toxicity. We aimed to assess oxygen saturation (SpO.sub.2) while people smoked opioids during a pilot study that introduced continuous pulse oximetry at overdose prevention services (OPS) sites. Methods This was an observational cohort study, using a participatory design. We implemented our monitoring protocol from March to August 2021 at four OPS. We included adults ([greater than or equal to] 18 years) presenting to smoke opioids. A sensor taped to participants' fingers transmitted real-time SpO.sub.2 readings to a remote monitor viewed by OPS staff. Peer researchers collected baseline data and observed the timing of participants' inhalations. We analyzed SpO.sub.2 on a per-event basis. In mixed-effects logistic regression models, drop in minimum SpO.sub.2 [less than or equal to] 90% in the current minute was our main outcome variable. Inhalation in that same minute was our main predictor. We also examined inhalation in the previous minute, cumulative inhalations, inhalation rate, demographics, co-morbidities, and substance use variables. Results We recorded 599 smoking events; 72.8% (436/599) had analyzable SpO.sub.2 data. Participants' mean age was 38.6 years (SD 11.3 years) and 73.1% were male. SpO.sub.2 was highly variable within and between individuals. Drop in SpO.sub.2 [less than or equal to] 90% was not significantly associated with inhalation in that same minute (OR: 1.2 [0.8-1.78], p = 0.261) or inhalation rate (OR 0.47 [0.20-1.10], p = 0.082). There was an association of SpO.sub.2 drop with six cumulative inhalations (OR 3.38 [1.04-11.03], p = 0.043); this was not maintained [greater than or equal to] 7 inhalations. Demographics, co-morbidities, and drug use variables were non-contributory. Conclusions Continuous pulse oximetry SpO.sub.2 monitoring is a safe adjunct to monitoring people who smoke opioids at OPS. Our data reflect challenges of real-world monitoring, indicating that greater supports are needed for frontline responders at OPS. Inconsistent association between inhalations and SpO.sub.2 suggests that complex factors (e.g., inhalation depth/duration, opioid tolerance, drug use setting) contribute to hypoxemia and overdose risk while people smoke opioids. Keywords: Pulse oximetry, Oxygen saturation, Smoking, Opioid overdose, Harm reduction
Author(s): Jessica Moe[sup.1,2] , Jane A. Buxton[sup.2,3] , Yueqiao Elle Wang[sup.1] , Tamara Chavez[sup.4] , Damian Feldman-Kiss[sup.1] , Charotte Marr[sup.5] , Roy A. Purssell[sup.1,2] and Michael Otterstatter[sup.2] Background The opioid [...]