Global, Regional, and National Epidemiology of Opioid Use Disorder Among Adolescents and Young Adults, 1990-2019.

PURPOSE

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a growing public health crisis. However, no study to date has systematically evaluated the burden of OUD among adolescents and young adults (AYAs). We aimed to report the global level and trends of OUD burden among AYAs.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019, which was conducted from 1990 to 2019 in 204 countries. AYAs were defined as individuals aged 15-39 years, and the study period was 1990-2019. The burden of OUD was evaluated in terms of case numbers and age-standardized rates per 100,000 population.

RESULTS

In 2019, there were 2,396,734 incident cases, 14,502,031 prevalent cases, 43,447 deaths, and 8,651,931 disability-adjusted life years of OUD among AYAs globally. High-income North America had the greatest regional burden, with the United States having the highest burden nationally. From 1990 to 2019, age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized prevalence rate, age-standardized mortality rate, and age-standardized disability-adjusted life years rate (ASDR) showed upward trends, with average annual percentage change of 0.62, 0.81, 1.55, and 1.01, respectively. Despite the burden of OUD was higher in males than in females, the increment in ASIR was greater in females than in males after 2014. Nationally, OUD burden showed increasing trends in ASIR, age-standardized prevalence rate, and ASDR across 150+ countries, with the United States experiencing the greatest increase in age-standardized mortality rate and ASDR. Meanwhile, there was a positive correlation between sociodemographic index and OUD burden, with higher sociodemographic index associated with a higher burden of OUD in 2019.

DISCUSSION

OUD in AYAs is a major global public health issue, and the burden of OUD is increasing. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for comprehensive prevention strategies, targeted interventions, and effective treatment options tailored to younger populations.