Trends in substance use disorder diagnoses among Veterans, 2009–2019

Author:

Hoggatt Katherine J.12ORCID,Chawla Neetu3,Washington Donna L.34,Yano Elizabeth M.35

Affiliation:

1. San Francisco VA Health Care System Research Division San Francisco California USA

2. Department of Medicine University of California San Francisco California USA

3. VA Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D) Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation, & Policy, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Research Division Los Angeles California USA

4. Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, Department of Medicine UCLA Geffen School of Medicine Los Angeles California USA

5. Department of Health Policy and Management UCLA Fielding School of Public Health Los Angeles California USA

Abstract

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesSubstance use disorder (SUD) represents a substantial health burden to US Veterans. We aimed to quantify recent time trends in Veterans' substance‐specific disorders using Veterans Health Administration (VA) data.MethodsWe identified Veteran VA patients for fiscal years (FY) 2010–2019 (October 1, 2009–September 9, 2019) and extracted patient demographics and diagnoses from electronic health records (~6 million annually). We defined alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, opioid, sedative, and stimulant use disorders with ICD‐9 (FY10–FY15) or ICD‐10 (FY16–FY19) codes and variables for polysubstance use disorder, drug use disorder (DUD), and SUD.ResultsDiagnoses for substance‐specific disorders (excluding cocaine), polysubstance use disorder, DUD, and SUD increased 2%–13% annually for FY10–FY15. Alcohol, cannabis, and stimulant use disorders increased 4%–18% annually for FY16–FY19, while cocaine, opioid, and sedative use disorders changed by ≤1%. Stimulant and cannabis use disorder diagnoses increased most rapidly, and older Veterans had the largest increases across substances.Discussion and ConclusionsRapid increases in cannabis and stimulant use disorder present a treatment challenge and key subgroups (e.g., older adults) may require tailored screening and treatment options. Diagnoses for SUD are increasing among Veterans overall, but there is important heterogeneity by substance and subgroup. Efforts to ensure access to evidence‐based treatment for SUD may require greater focus on cannabis and stimulants, particularly for older adults.Scientific SignificanceThese findings represent the first assessment of time trends in substance‐specific disorders among Veterans, overall and by age and sex. Notable findings include large increases in diagnoses for cannabis and stimulant use disorder and among older adults.

Funder

Health Services Research and Development

Publisher

Wiley

Subject

Psychiatry and Mental health,Clinical Psychology,Medicine (miscellaneous)

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3