Cardiovascular Research

Cognition and Depression in American Indian Elders with Prescribed Opioid Use: Data from the Strong Heart Study.

Authors: Ché Ross|||Judith I Tsui|||Jason Deen|||Dedra Buchwald|||Astrid Suchy-Dicey

Affiliations: + Expand

Abstract

American Indian communities experience significant health care disparities, resulting in an increased risk of multiple chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke. The rate of prescribed opioids in the long-term treatment of chronic conditions is also increased in this population. Tribal communities have an increased morbidity due to conditions, such as clinically significant depression, which have profound effects on cognitive function and quality of life. Changes in neurocognition with acute opioid use are well documented and range from decreased attention to delayed psychomotor speed. However, literature on prolonged opioid use and long-term effects on neurocognition are scarce, especially for qualifying an increased risk in American Indian elders with prolonged use of prescribed opioids. Our study aimed to determine whether poorer cognitive function, depressive symptoms, and quality of life are associated with prescribed opioid use, with the goal of identifying high-risk groups for targeted prevention and intervention.

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