Publications | Jianing Wang

A spatial capture-recapture approach for estimating opioid use disorder prevalence in small areas using administrative data

Working Paper

Jianing Wang, Shariq Mohammed, Laura F. White, David Kline

The prevalence of opioid use disorder in Kentucky’s counties: A two-year multi-sample capture-recapture analysis

abstract Background Kentucky has one of the highest opioid overdose mortality rates in the United States. Accurate estimates of people with opioid use disorder (OUD) are critical to plan for the scope of interventions required to reduce overdose and opioid misuse.

Katherine Thompson, Joshua A Barocas, Chris Delcher, Jungjun Bae, Lindsey Hammerslag, Jianing Wang, Redonna Chandler, Jennifer Villani, Sharon Walsh, Jeffery Talbert

On the estimation of population size – A comparison of capture-recapture and multiplier-benchmark methods

Working Paper

Jianing Wang, David Kline, Laura F. White

Modeling recurrent relapse and remitting episodes during MOUD treatment: a tutorial

Working Paper abstract In longitudinal studies participants can often experience the outcome(s) of interest multiple times during the observation period, creating recurrent event data. Depending on the primary research objective, advanced statistical methods are required to correctly analyze this special type of data.

Jianing Wang, Stavroula A. Chrysanthopoulou, Shayla Nolen, R. W. M. A. Madushani, Sean M. Murphy, Benjamin P. Linas, Laura F. White

Massachusetts prevalence of Opioid Use Disorder estimation revisited: Comparing a Bayesian approach to standard capture-recapture methods

Working Paper abstract Accurate estimation of the prevalence of people with opioid use disorder (OUD) is critical to the success of treatment and resource planning. Various indirect estimation approaches have been used but are subject to issues related to data availability and infrastructure.

Jianing Wang, Nathan Doogan, Katherine Thompson, Dana Bernson, Daniel Feaster, Jennifer Villani, Redonna Chandler, Laura F. White, David Kline, Joshua A. Barocas

Opioid Use Disorder Among Ohio’s Medicaid Population: Prevalence Estimates From 19 Counties Using a Multiplier Method

abstract The decades-long overdose epidemic in the United States is driven by opioid misuse. Overdoses commonly, although not exclusively, occur in individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). To allocate adequate resources and develop appropriately scaled public health responses, accurate estimation of the prevalence of OUD is needed.

Nathan J Doogan, Aimee Mack, Jianing Wang, Dushka Crane, Rebecca Jackson, Mary Applegate, Jennifer Villani, Redonna Chandler, Joshua A Barocas

Medicaid hepatitis C virus treatment policies: impact on testing and treatment in the commercially insured

abstract Introduction A total of 23 state Medicaid programs continue to restrict hepatitis C virus (HCV) medication access by liver disease or substance-use criteria, creating obstacles to HCV elimination and significant care disparities.

Rachel L Epstein, Jianing Wang, Laura F White, Shashi N Kapadia, Jake R Morgan, Yuhua Bao, Benjamin P Linas

Population-level impact of initiating pharmacotherapy and linking to care people with opioid use disorder at inpatient medically managed withdrawal programs: an effectiveness and cost-effectiveness analysis

abstract Background and Aims Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) are shown to reduce opioid use and the risk of overdose. People with opioid use disorder (OUD) who exit inpatient medically managed withdrawal programs (detox) without initiating MOUD and linking to outpatient care have high rates of overdose.

Alexandra Savinkina, Rajapaksha WMA Madushani, Golnaz Eftekhari Yazdi, Jianing Wang, Joshua A Barocas, Jake R Morgan, Sabrina A Assoumou, Alexander Y Walley, Benjamin P Linas, Sean M Murphy

Modeling the cost-effectiveness and impact on fatal overdose and initiation of buprenorphine–naloxone treatment at syringe service programs

abstract Aim To estimate the number of treatment initiations, averted fatal opioid overdoses and the cost-effectiveness associated with offering buprenorphine–naloxone (buprenorphine) treatment on-site within existing syringe service programs (SSPs) in Massachusetts, USA.

Joëlla W Adams, Alexandra Savinkina, Aaron Fox, Czarina N Behrends, Rajapaksha WMA Madushani, Jianing Wang, Avik Chatterjee, Alexander Y Walley, Joshua A Barocas, Benjamin P Linas

Factors associated with opioid-involved overdose among previously incarcerated people in the US: A community engaged narrative review

abstract Background People with a history of incarceration are at high risk for opioid overdose. A variety of factors contribute to this elevated risk though our understanding of these factors is deficient.

Juliet M Flam-Ross, Josh Lown, Prasad Patil, Laura F White, Jianing Wang, Ashley Perry, Dennis Bailer, Michelle McKenzie, Anthony Thigpen, Roxxanne Newman, Meko Lincoln, Tyrone Mckinney, Dana Bernson, Joshua A Barocas

Empirical Calibration of a Simulation Model of Opioid Use Disorder

abstract Simulation models of opioid use disorder (OUD) aim at evaluating the impact of different treatment strategies on population-level outcomes. Researching Effective Strategies to Prevent Opioid Death (RESPOND) is a dynamic population state-transition model that simulates Massachusetts (MA) OUD population synthesizing data from the MA Public Health Data Warehouse, published survey studies, and randomized trials.

RWMA Madushani, Jianing Wang, Michelle Weitz, Benjamin Linas, Laura White, Stavroula Chrysanthopoulou

HIV Pre-exposure prophylaxis and buprenorphine at a drug detoxification center during the opioid epidemic: opportunities and challenges

abstract Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and buprenorphine decrease HIV acquisition. Between November, 2016 - July, 2017, we surveyed persons (N=200) at a drug detoxification center to assess their interest in PrEP and in buprenorphine, and to examine factors associated with such interests.

Sabrina A Assoumou, Samantha M Paniagua, Priscilla Gonzalez, Jianing Wang, Curt G Beckwith, Laura F White, Jessica L Taylor, Kristen Coogan, Jeffrey H Samet, Benjamin P Linas

Projected Estimates of Opioid Mortality After Community-Level Interventions

abstract Importance The United States is experiencing a crisis of opioid overdose. In response, the US Department of Health and Human Services has defined a goal to reduce overdose mortality by 40% by 2022.

Benjamin P. Linas, Alexandra Savinkina, R. W. M. A. Madushani, Jianing Wang

Outcomes associated with medications for opioid use disorder among persons hospitalized for infective endocarditis

abstract Background Endocarditis, once predominately found in older adults, is increasingly common among younger persons who inject drugs. Untreated opioid use disorder (OUD) complicates endocarditis management. We aimed to determine if rates of overdose and rehospitalization differ between persons with OUD with endocarditis who are initiated on medications for OUD (MOUDs) within 30 days of hospital discharge and those who are not.

Joshua A Barocas, Jake R Morgan, Jianing Wang, Dylan McLoone, Alysse Wurcel, Michael D Stein

Hepatitis C Management at Federally Qualified Health Centers during the Opioid Epidemic: A Cost-Effectiveness Study

abstract Background The opioid epidemic has been associated with an increase in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) have a high burden of hepatitis C disease and could serve as venues to enhance testing and treatment.

Sabrina A Assoumou, Shayla Nolen, Liesl Hagan, Jianing Wang, Golnaz Eftekhari Yazdi, William W Thompson, Kenneth H Mayer, Jon Puro, Lin Zhu, Joshua A Salomon, Benjamin P Linas

Rapid versus laboratory-based testing for HIV and hepatitis C at a drug detoxification treatment center: a randomized trial

abstract Background A health department survey revealed nearly half employ laboratory-based HIV and HCV testing (LBT) over rapid testing (RT) in nonhospital settings such as drug detoxification centers. LBT has higher sensitivity for acute HIV infection compared to RT but LBT is not point of care and may result in fewer diagnoses due to loss to follow-up before result delivery.

Sabrina A Assoumou, Samantha M Paniagua, Benjamin P Linas, Jianing Wang, Jeffrey H Samet, Jonathan Hall, Laura F White, Curt G Beckwith

Opioid overdose and inpatient care for substance use disorder care in Massachusetts

abstract Background: Inpatient treatment for substance use disorders is a collection of strategies ranging from short term detoxification to longer term residential treatment. How those with opioid use disorder (OUD) navigate this inpatient treatment system after an encounter for detoxification and subsequent risk of opioid-related overdose is not well understood.

Jake R Morgan, Jianing Wang, Joshua A Barocas, Jenifer L Jaeger, Natalie N Durham, Hermik Babakhanlou-Chase, Monica Bharel, Alexander Y Walley, Benjamin P Linas

HCV testing and treatment in a national sample of US federally qualified health centers during the opioid epidemic

abstract Background Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) serve diverse communities in the United States (U.S.) and could function as important venues to diagnose and treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections.

Sabrina A Assoumou, Jianing Wang, Shayla Nolen, Golnaz Eftekhari Yazdi, Kenneth H Mayer, Jon Puro, Joshua A Salomon, Benjamin P Linas

Estimation and correction of bias in network simulations based on respondent-driven sampling data

abstract Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) is widely used for collecting data on hard-to-reach populations, including information about the structure of the networks connecting the individuals. Characterizing network features can be important for designing and evaluating health programs, particularly those that involve infectious disease transmission.

Lin Zhu, Nicolas A Menzies, Jianing Wang, Benjamin P Linas, Steven M Goodreau, Joshua A Salomon

Cost-effectiveness and budgetary impact of hepatitis C virus testing, treatment, and linkage to care in US prisons

abstract Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and treatment uptake in prisons remains low. We aimed to estimate clinical outcomes, cost-effectiveness (CE), and budgetary impact (BI) of HCV testing and treatment in United States (US) prisons or linkage to care at release.

Sabrina A Assoumou, Abriana Tasillo, Claudia Vellozzi, Golnaz Eftekhari Yazdi, Jianing Wang, Shayla Nolen, Liesl Hagan, William Thompson, Liisa M Randall, Lara Strick, Joshua A Salomon, Benjamin P Linas

Hepatitis C virus antibody testing among 13-to 21-year-olds in a large sample of US federally qualified health centers

abstract Hepatitis C virus (HCV) incidence is increasing in the United States, with most new transmissions occurring among people younger than 30 years who inject drugs. Fifteen- to 24-year-olds represent an increasing proportion of reported chronic HCV infections, rising from 3.

Rachel L Epstein, Jianing Wang, Liesl Hagan, Kenneth H Mayer, Jon Puro, Benjamin P Linas, Sabrina A Assoumou

Meta-Modelling for Policy Simulations with Multivariate Outcomes

abstract Purpose: A metamodel is a simplified approximation of the relationships between inputs and outputs in a simulation model. A challenge in metamodeling for policy analysis is that there are often multiple correlated outputs of interest: for example, costs and effects of different policy choices.

Huaiyang Zhong, Golnaz Eftekhari Yazdi, Jianing Wang, Shayla Nolen, Benjamin P Linas, Margaret L Brandeau, Joshua Salomon

Sociodemographic factors and social determinants associated with toxicology confirmed polysubstance opioid-related deaths

abstract Background and Aims: While prescribed and illicit opioid use are primary drivers of the national surges in overdose deaths, opioid overdose deaths in which stimulants are also present are increasing in the U.

Joshua A Barocas, Jianing Wang, Brandon DL Marshall, Marc R LaRochelle, Amy Bettano, Dana Bernson, Curt G Beckwith, Benjamin P Linas, Alexander Y Walley

Deriving the optimal limit of detection for an HCV point-of-care test for viraemic infection: Analysis of a global dataset

abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Affordable point-of-care (POC) tests for hepatitis C (HCV) viraemia are needed to improve access to treatment in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Our aims were to determine the target limit of detection (LOD) necessary to diagnose the majority of persons with HCV eligible for treatment, and identify characteristics associated with low-level viraemia (LLV) (defined as the lowest 3% of the distribution of HCV RNA) to understand those at risk of being mis-diagnosed.

J Morgan Freiman, Jianing Wang, Philippa J Easterbrook, C Robert Horsburgh, Francesco Marinucci, Laura F White, George Kamkamidze, Mel Krajden, Anne Loarec, Richard Njouom, Kihn V Nguyen, Gamal Shiha, Reham Soliman, Sunil S Solomon, Tengiz Tsertsvadze, Claudia M Denkinger, Benjamin Linas

Hepatitis C testing and patient characteristics in Washington State's prisons between 2012 and 2016

abstract Introduction: There is no widely accepted testing approach for hepatitis C virus infection in correctional settings, and many U.S. prisons do not provide routine testing. The aim of this study was to determine the most effective hepatitis C virus testing strategy in one U.

Sabrina A Assoumou, Jianing Wang, Abriana Tasillo, Golnaz Eftekhari Yazdi, Judith I Tsui, Lara Strick, Benjamin P Linas

Estimated prevalence of opioid use disorder in Massachusetts, 2011–2015: a capture–recapture analysis

abstract Objectives. To estimate the annual prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD) in Massachusetts from 2011 to 2015. Methods. We performed a multisample stratified capture–recapture analysis to estimate OUD prevalence in Massachusetts.

Joshua A Barocas, Laura F White, Jianing Wang, Alexander Y Walley, Marc R LaRochelle, Dana Bernson, Thomas Land, Jake R Morgan, Jeffrey H Samet, Benjamin P Linas

The burden of untreated HCV infection in hospitalized inmates: a hospital utilization and cost analysis

abstract Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is highly prevalent in incarcerated populations. The high cost of HCV therapy places a major burden on correctional system healthcare budgets, but the burden of untreated HCV is not known.

Alysse G Wurcel, Deirdre J Burke, Jianing Wang, Brian Engle, Kathryn Noonan, Tamsin A Knox, Arthur Y Kim, Benjamin P Linas

Population-level outcomes and cost-effectiveness of expanding the recommendation for age-based hepatitis C testing in the United States

abstract Background The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend one-time hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing for persons born 1945–1965 and targeted testing for high-risk persons.

Joshua A Barocas, Abriana Tasillo, Golnaz Eftekhari Yazdi, Jianing Wang, Claudia Vellozzi, Susan Hariri, Cheryl Isenhour, Liisa Randall, John W Ward, Jonathan Mermin, Joshua A Salomon, enjamin P Linas

Hepatitis C testing increased among baby boomers following the 2012 change to CDC testing recommendations

abstract In 2012 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended routine testing for hepatitis C for people born in the period 1945–65. Until now, the recommendation’s impact on hepatitis C screening rates in the United States has not been fully understood.

Joshua A Barocas, Jianing Wang, Laura F White, Abriana Tasillo, Joshua A Salomon, Kenneth A Freedberg, Benjamin P Linas