This study looked for differences in prescribing patterns of suboxone for different opioid related complaints- withdrawal, overdose, and other related complaints.
In the overall cohort, all racial minorities, except Native American, and female patients had a lower likelihood of being prescribed suboxone for any opioid related complaint compared to white, male patients.
However, when they did subgroup analysis, patients presented for withdrawal symptoms had increased rates of buprenorphrine administration and prescribing that eliminated the racial disparities, but the gender disparities remained.
MOUD remain a key factor in allowing patients with OUD to achieve long-term sobriety, but there are still persistent barriers to appropriate prescribing
References
Chhabra N, Smith D, Parde N, Hsing-Smith N, Bianco JM, Taylor RA, D'Onofrio G, Karnik NS. Racial, ethnic, and sex disparities in buprenorphine treatment from emergency departments by discharge diagnosis. Acad Emerg Med. 2025 Sep;32(9):985-993. doi: 10.1111/acem.70035. Epub 2025 Apr 25. PMID: 40277252; PMCID: PMC12353228.
