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    rgvc@stanford.edu
    University - Scholar Department: School of Medicine Position: Postdoctoral Scholar

All Publications

  • Arguments for and against a new diagnostic entity for patients with chronic pain on long-term opioid therapy for whom harms outweigh benefits. The journal of pain Edmond, S. N., Snow, J. L., Pomeranz, J., Van Cleve, R., Becker, W. C. 1800

    Abstract

    The goal of this study was to understand perspectives on whether a new diagnostic entity, distinct from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - 5 (DSM-5) opioid use disorder (OUD), is needed for patients with chronic pain on long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) for whom the harms of continued opioid therapy outweigh the benefits. Data were collected as part of a larger Delphi study. We used rapid and thematic qualitative methods to analyze data from 51 panelists with expertise in internal medicine, psychiatry, psychology, and related fields. Three-quarters of panelists supported a new diagnostic entity; common themes included recognizing distinct experiences of patients prescribed LTOT, addressing problems with DSM-5 OUD criteria, facilitating research and improved treatment, and reducing stigma. Thirteen panelists opposed the creation of a new diagnostic entity; common themes included similarities in biological underpinnings of patients prescribed LTOT and diagnosed with OUD, belief that the continuum of OUD captured patients' experiences, finding better ways to address problems with DSM-5 OUD criteria, and concerns about stigma. While this expert panel disagreed about the need for a new diagnostic entity, there was an overall acknowledgement that the current implementation of DSM-5's OUD diagnosis is not meeting the needs of LTOT providers or patients. Perspective: The DSM-5's OUD diagnosis may not adequately meet the needs of patients on LTOT for whom the harms of continued opioid therapy outweigh the benefits. Experts do not agree on how to address this problem; more work is needed to determine if a new diagnostic entity would be beneficial.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.12.006

    View details for PubMedID 34974174

  • Differences in COVID-19 Risk by Race and County-Level Social Determinants of Health among Veterans. International journal of environmental research and public health Abdel Magid, H. S., Ferguson, J. M., Van Cleve, R., Purnell, A. L., Osborne, T. F. 1800; 18 (24)

    Abstract

    COVID-19 disparities by area-level social determinants of health (SDH) have been a significant public health concern and may also be impacting U.S. Veterans. This retrospective analysis was designed to inform optimal care and prevention strategies at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and utilized COVID-19 data from the VAs EHR and geographically linked county-level data from 18 area-based socioeconomic measures. The risk of testing positive with Veterans' county-level SDHs, adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, and facility characteristics, was calculated using generalized linear models. We found an exposure-response relationship whereby individual COVID-19 infection risk increased with each increasing quartile of adverse county-level SDH, such as the percentage of residents in a county without a college degree, eligible for Medicaid, and living in crowded housing.

    View details for DOI 10.3390/ijerph182413140

    View details for PubMedID 34948748