County Overdose Review Found Benzodiazepines Frequently Detected but Did Not Assign Each Detection a Causal Share

A coroner-record study described drug patterns among overdose deaths. Frequency of detection was different from the risk of death among all users.

The reviewed records

The study examined 418 overdose deaths in an Indiana county between 2008 and 2015 using death certificates, autopsy and toxicology reports, and available prescribing information. Opioids were the most commonly identified class, followed by benzodiazepines.

The series also described changing heroin and fentanyl involvement, demographic characteristics, and where deaths occurred.

The sample consists of deaths

Without a corresponding exposed population, the study cannot calculate a benzodiazepine fatality rate. Mixed exposures also prevent a simple division of causation among every detected substance.

Incomplete historical information could affect drug and comorbidity counts. For an individual death, retain concentration interpretation, specimen, tolerance, co-exposures, pathology, and circumstances. The paper supports surveillance of local overdose patterns, but does not establish that a benzodiazepine detection alone proves intoxication, explains intent, or identifies the independently lethal substance.

Source paper

Original analysis of the supplied journal article, identified as PMC5593207.

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