Commentary on "Application of an Existing Syndromic Surveillance System to Quantify Possible Cases of Opioid-associated Amnestic Syndrome in Massachusetts".

Abstract

Barash and colleagues have demonstrated the use of a statewide database to identify potential cases of opioid-associated amnestic syndrome. While a valuable step towards establishing the epidemiology of this condition, it does not answer the more fundamental question of whether opioids are truly a cause of the observed amnesia. Counterfactual arguments are offered, as well as next steps for further research.