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Associations of state-level rates of depression and fatal opioid overdose in the United States, 2011–2015

Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology volume 54, pages 131–134 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

To assess the relationship between state-level depression and opioid overdose deaths between 2011 and 2015 in the United States.

Methods

We assessed the association between percent of state populations reporting depression diagnoses and number of opioid analgesic-related deaths using negative binomial generalized estimating equations.

Results

A 1% point increase in state-level depression diagnoses was associated with a 26% (95% CI 1–58%) increase in opioid analgesic-related deaths.

Conclusions

Addressing depression in the provider–patient relationship may be important, as may be addressing the mental health provider shortage in the United States.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the University of Colorado CU Science Discovery Program.

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Author notes

  1. Laura M. Schwab-Reese

    Present address: Department of Health and Kinesiology, Purdue University, 800 W Stadium Ave., Lafayette, IN, 47905, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Colorado, CU Science Discovery, 3400 Marine St., Boulder, CO, 80301, USA

    Madeline Foley

  2. The Kempe Center for The Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 13123 E 16th Ave., Aurora, CO, 80045, USA

    Laura M. Schwab-Reese

Authors
  1. Madeline Foley
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  2. Laura M. Schwab-Reese
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laura M. Schwab-Reese.

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On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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Foley, M., Schwab-Reese, L.M. Associations of state-level rates of depression and fatal opioid overdose in the United States, 2011–2015. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 54, 131–134 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-018-1594-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-018-1594-y

Keywords

  • Depression
  • Mental health
  • Opioid
  • Overdose