This population-based retrospective cohort study examined medication treatment for opioid use disorder during the first year after delivery among 1,690 Medicaid-enrolled people who received medication for opioid use disorder at delivery between July 2016 and December 2020. The researchers assessed whether prenatal treatment duration and comprehensiveness, together with a neighborhood-level Health Opportunity Index, were associated with postpartum treatment duration and continuity.
Receiving more comprehensive opioid use disorder treatment and/or medication treatment for a longer period during pregnancy was associated with better treatment continuity and duration during the first postpartum year. These associations remained after accounting for neighborhood-level social determinants of health. In the adjusted models, the Health Opportunity Index itself was not significantly associated with postpartum medication treatment outcomes. The authors emphasize expanding access to high-quality, evidence-based treatment before and during pregnancy.
Original summary for clinical review. Read the published study.
