A national study highlights alarming trends in opioid-related hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the rise in nonfatal overdoses involving fentanyl. Data from over 35 million hospitalizations and 158 million emergency department visits from 2016 to 2021 reveal a significant 24.8% increase in ED visits for nonfatal overdoses involving synthetic opioids. The increase follows a prior decline in opioid-related cases. Findings emphasize the rising complexity of the opioid crisis, necessitating targeted intervention strategies tailored to demographic differences.

Source: eClinicalMedicine