Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drugs and the changing legal, political and cultural climate will likely increase cannabis use further. One factor that may underlie the transition from recreational use to problematic use is stress. The hormone oxytocin (OXT) modulates stress and may have therapeutic efficacy for substance use disorders, but few studies have examined OXT in cannabis users. Another factor is sex; although more men smoke cannabis, the transition from recreational to problematic use is faster in women. Using a within-subjects design, the effects of intranasal (i.n.) oxytocin (OXT; 40 IU) administration on stress reactivity (using the Trier Social Stress Test; TSST) and cannabis (5.6% THC) self-administration was assessed in recreational cannabis using men (n=31) and women (n=32) relative to i.n. placebo (PBO) and no-stress (NST) conditions. The TSST produced expected subjective and cardiovascular effects compared to the NST. However, in the i.n. OXT-TSST condition, positive subjective effects were lower and negative subjective effects were higher in women compared to PBO administration and compared to men. Further, latency to self-administer cannabis was longer in women than men and women self-administered less cannabis than men regardless of stress condition. There were no differences in cannabis craving as a function of sex, stress, or medication. These results suggest that OXT administration may lead to greater stress reactivity in recreational cannabis users, particularly women, and support growing evidence that sex differences should be carefully considered when examining the therapeutic potential of OXT.
The transition from childhood and adolescence to adulthood is often tumultuous. For individuals with a chronic medical condition, this progression also includes a gradual transition to independence in healthcare management as well as a transfer in care location at some set point. As adolescents navigate these sometimes challenging processes, there is a significant risk for a decline in adequate health behaviors, which can have dire consequences. One of the most vital components of the transfer to adult care is medication adherence. Poor medication adherence puts patients at risk for worse outcomes, with the most profound being increased mortality for many conditions. In recent years, acknowledgment of the need to create evidencebased methods to aid patients during the transition period has been growing. This paper seeks to provide an overview of current research and recommendations for interventions to increase adherence to medication regimens during this period.
This pilot study supports the feasibility of using an eating disorder prevention program to reduce other risky behaviors, specifically risky sexual behaviors.
Background
Since the start of the COVID‐19 pandemic and consequent lockdowns, the use of telehealth interventions has rapidly increased both in the general population and among transplant recipients. Among pediatric transplant recipients, this most frequently takes the form of interventions on mobile devices, or mHealth, such as remote visits via video chat or phone, phone‐based monitoring, and mobile apps. Telehealth interventions may offer the opportunity to provide care that minimizes many of the barriers of in‐person care.
Methods
The present review followed the PRISMA guidelines. Sources up until October 2020 were initially identified through searches of PsycInfo
®
and PubMed
®
.
Results
We identified ten papers that reported findings from adult interventions and five studies based in pediatrics. Eight of the adult publications stemmed from the same two trials; within the pediatric subset, this was the case for two papers. Studies that have looked at mHealth interventions have found high acceptability rates over the short run, but there is a general lack of data on long‐term use.
Conclusions
The literature surrounding pediatric trials specifically is sparse with all findings referencing interventions that are in early stages of development, ranging from field tests to small feasibility trials. The lack of research highlights the need for a multi‐center RCT that utilizes robust measures of medication adherence and other outcome variables, with longer‐term follow‐up before telehealth interventions should be fully embraced.
Background
Understanding the role of substance use is important in the equitable allocation of solid organs and may present an opportunity for improving outcomes among substance users who receive transplants. This scoping review presents findings related to substance use among pediatric and young adult transplant populations and suggests future directions.
Methods
A scoping review was conducted seeking studies related to substance use in pediatric and young adult transplant populations under the age of 39 years. Studies were deemed eligible if they collected data or addressed policy concerns and participants' mean age was below 39 years.
Results
Twenty‐nine studies were identified as eligible for this review. Overall, policies around substance use are largely inconsistent throughout both pediatric and adult transplant centers. Findings indicated that substance use among pediatric and young adult transplant recipients is similar to or lower than healthy peers. Few studies addressed marijuana use and opioid misuse, among other substances.
Conclusions
There is a general dearth of research on substance use in this population. The current findings suggest that substance use, although relatively less common, affects eligibility for transplant, may lead to poor outcomes, and affects medication adherence. Inconsistent substance use policies in transplant centers have the potential to result in bias. However, more research is needed on the effects of substance use among pediatric and young adult transplant candidates and recipients as well as on equitable policies for organ allocation for individuals who use substances.
In conclusion, by so distinctly delineating gaps, the present study has set the stage for us to do a great deal of good. We are eager for a multidisciplinary group to come together and move the needle, proceeding from both a developmental and societal lens. At a time when we are challenged by so many complex problems, it is encouraging to be presented with an opportunity to feasibly intervene and refine the way substance use is considered for the benefit of our teams and our patients.
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