Erectile dysfunction in male heroin users, receiving methadone and buprenorphine maintenance treatment

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common among people in treatment for heroin addiction. The purpose of the study was to examine the frequency of ED among methadone and buprenorphine maintenance therapy patients, and to identify factors associated with ED. Patients - recruited from 7 centres in Italy - underwent: (i) a structured interview on socio-demographic characteristics, drug use and sexual behaviour; (ii) IIEF-15 test, a test of sexual function; (iii) Zung test for depression. The study included 201 males: 42% were on methadone maintenance, 58% were on buprenorphine. Overall, 58% reported no ED, 24% reported mild to moderate ED, and 18% severe ED. In univariate analysis buprenorphine patients had less ED than methadone patients (p=0.0135). Subjects living with a partner had less ED than others (p=0.0018). More depressed subjects had more ED (p<0.001). Heterosexual patients reported less ED than homo/bisexual patients (p=0.0427), and partner's use of heroin was associated with more ED (p=0.0078). The significant univariate predictors were entered into a cumulative logit model. Living with a sexual partner was associated with a lower likelihood of ED, while depression, having a sexual partner with a history of drug use and not having a steady partner were associated with a greater likelihood of ED. The significant association between treatment and ED which appeared in univariate analysis (with buprenorphine patients reporting less ED than methadone patients) was not confirmed by the multivariate analysis. Both psychological and social factors were associated with ED which is an important problem for many males in methadone and buprenorphine treatment.     

Utilization of buprenorphine and methadone among opioid users who inject drugs

ABSTRACT

Background: There has been a rise in opioid abuse and related injection drug use in the United States, and treatment for opioid use disorders may be underutilized. The study aim was to describe utilization of opioid agonist therapy (OAT), and assess factors associated with utilization of OAT, among persons who inject drugs (PWID) in the Seattle metropolitan area. Methods: Data were obtained from the 2015 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) system among PWID in the Seattle area. Persons aged ≥18 years who injected drugs in the past year were recruited using respondent-driven sampling. Local supplemental questions assessed whether participants had received methadone or buprenorphine treatment in the past year. The analysis was restricted to participants who reported use of any opioids in the past year. Analyses compared the demographic, health insurance status, duration of injection drug use, prior history of overdose, prior receipt of hepatitis C virus/human immunodeficiency virus (HCV/HIV) testing (self-report), and screening positive for HCV/HIV via study testing between methadone- or buprenorphine-treated and untreated PWID. Multivariate logistic models were performed to assess adjusted associations with receipt of any OAT. Results: The sample included 487 PWID who used opioids in the past year, of whom 27.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 23.1–31.1) reported past-year treatment with methadone and 4.7% (95% CI: 2.8–6.6) reported treatment with buprenorphine. There were no significant differences in demographics among participants who did and did not report past-year OAT; however, participants who were treated with methadone were more likely to be insured and have hepatitis C. After adjustment for other covariates, having health insurance was strongly associated with receipt of OAT (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 18.6; 95% CI: 2.5–138.7). Conclusions: OAT, in particular buprenorphine, has been underutilized by opioid-using PWID in the Seattle area. Health insurance is a critical factor for enabling PWID to utilize OAT treatment for opioid use disorders.     

Cessation of methadone maintenance treatment using buprenorphine: transfer from methadone to buprenorphine and subsequent buprenorphine reductions

BACKGROUND: Buprenorphine is used in the treatment of opioid dependence. Due to its pharmacology, the transfer from methadone to buprenorphine may precipitate withdrawal symptoms. METHODS: Methadone maintained patients with clinical indicators of stability who were seeking withdrawal from methadone were recruited from three Australian states. Patients on methadone doses between 30 and 40 mg were randomised to transfer to buprenorphine by a fixed dose (transfer at 30 mg methadone) or by a variable dose induction (transfer when 'uncomfortable'). A third group of patients with methadone doses less than 30 mg were transferred to buprenorphine at their entry methadone dose. Fifty-one patients were inducted onto buprenorphine using the same dosing protocol with the first dose of 4 mg buprenorphine. Following stabilisation on buprenorphine, patients gradually reduced the buprenorphine dose to 0 mg. Withdrawal severity and drug use was monitored. RESULTS: There were no significant difference between the transfer at 30 mg and transfer when 'uncomfortable' dosing protocols in severity of withdrawal on transfer from methadone to buprenorphine. Those on doses less than 30 mg reported significantly less withdrawal discomfort at transfer. All but one patient stabilised on buprenorphine. Thirty-eight of the 51 patients inducted onto buprenorphine reached 0 mg. CONCLUSIONS: Transfer from methadone to buprenorphine can safely occur from doses of around 30 mg of methadone. Buprenorphine dose reductions were well tolerated. Thirty-one percent of patients were not using heroin or methadone at 1-month follow-up.     

Measuring heroin use in methadone maintenance programmes

This study compares a number of self-reported measures of drug use with the results of urine testing in a group of patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment. One hundred and twenty-nine subjects were interviewed and 4-5 months later, a second interview was obtained from 87 of these. At each interview subjects were asked about drug use on each of the preceding 7 days and also about the number of days of drug use in the previous month. It was found that most patients were continuing to use heroin, usually fairly infrequently. Direct comparisons of urine test results and self-reported drug use indicate substantial positive correlations. However, there was a tendency for self-report to underestimate drug use in this patient sample. It appears that urine testing is the single most useful measure of drug use. This supports the notion that it is a valid tool in evaluation research. However, the combination of self-report and urine tests provides more information about drug use than any single measure.     

Improving entry to methadone maintenance among out-of-treatment injection drug users

This study of 577 out-of-treatment drug injectors was designed to assess predictors of methadone maintenance treatment entry, including offering free treatment coupons. Using targeted sampling methods, participants were recruited through street outreach; randomly, they were either assigned a coupon for 90 days of free treatment or required to pay for their treatment. Regardless of assignment, all subjects who desired treatment were provided transportation, rapid intake, and a waiver of the treatment entry fee. Overall, 33% entered treatment, including 66% of those who received a free coupon. Other factors associated with treatment entry included desire for treatment, heroin use, prior treatment experience, associating with fewer drug-using friends, and injecting with a previously used unsterile needle/syringe. Injecting cocaine and smoking crack reduced the probability of treatment entry. Findings lend support to street outreach efforts designed to increase rates of treatment entry among chronic out-of-treatment drug injectors. Additional treatment options are required for those abusing cocaine.     

丁丙诺啡辅助美沙酮维持治疗疗效观察

目的：探讨丁丙诺啡辅助美沙酮维持治疗效果。方法：对云南省曲靖市麒麟区美沙酮维持治疗的患者因客观原因不能进行美沙酮治疗给予丁丙诺啡替代治疗情况进行分析。结果：治疗组比对照组分别高22．5％和19．16％,降低脱失,脱失率低15％,能杜绝使用其他非法药（毒）品。结论：在维持患者因客观原因不能服用美沙酮时,丁丙诺啡辅助治疗能显著提高患者的依从性、提高尿吗啡阴性率。     

Factors associated with methadone maintenance treatment retention among street-recruited injection drug users

This study examined factors associated with methadone maintenance retention, defined as remaining in treatment for a minimum of 90 days, among street recruited injection drug users (IDUs). Targeted sampling methods were used to establish recruitment quotas in Denver census tracks. A total of 577 IDUs were randomly assigned to either a risk reduction intervention, focusing on safer injection and sex behaviors, or motivational interviewing, addressing more sweeping lifestyle changes including drug treatment. All subjects who wanted treatment were provided transportation, rapid intake and a waiver of the intake fee. In addition, 50% were randomly assigned a coupon for 90 days of free treatment. Overall, 33% entered treatment and of these, 60% remained for at least 90 days. Factors associated with retention included higher methadone dose, free treatment, greater contacts with the clinic and counselor rating of patient cooperation. Although desire for treatment, or motivation, was associated in univariate analyses with greater retention, there were no differences observed between the motivational interviewing and risk reduction interventions.     

Colocating buprenorphine with methadone maintenance and outpatient chemical dependency services

Buprenorphine may be used to treat opioid dependence in office-based settings, but treatment models are needed to ensure access to psychosocial services needed by many patients. We describe a novel buprenorphine treatment program colocated with methadone maintenance and outpatient chemical dependency services. We conducted a retrospective chart review of the first 40 consecutive patients initiating buprenorphine treatment in this program to determine characteristics associated with treatment retention. Exclusion criteria were current alcohol or benzodiazepine dependence. Secondary drug users and patients who were psychiatrically or medically ill were included. At 6 months, 60% (n = 24) were retained, 13% (n = 5) tested positive for opiates, and 25% (n = 10) tested positive for secondary substances. Patients who were older (odds ratio [OR] per year of age = 1.1, confidence interval [CI] = 1.0-1.2) and those who were employed (OR = 9.8, CI = 1.8-53.1) were more likely to remain in treatment, but other variables were not associated with retention. Our experience demonstrates that buprenorphine can be successfully integrated into outpatient substance abuse treatment.     

Retention in methadone and buprenorphine treatment among African Americans

Methadone has been the most commonly used pharmacotherapy for the treatment of opioid dependence in U.S. public sector treatment, but availability of buprenorphine as an alternative medication continues to increase. Drawing data from two community-based clinical trials that were conducted nearly contemporaneously, this study examined retention in methadone versus buprenorphine treatment over 6 months among urban African Americans receiving treatment in one of four publicly-funded programs (N = 478; 178 methadone; 300 buprenorphine). Adjusting for confounds related to medication selection, survival analysis revealed that buprenorphine patients are at substantially higher risk of dropout compared to methadone patients (HR = 2.43; p < .001). Buprenorphine's retention disadvantage appears to be concentrated in the earlier phases of treatment (approximately the first 50 days), after which risk of subsequent dropout becomes similar for the two medications. These findings confirm a retention disparity between methadone and buprenorphine in this population, and suggest potential avenues for future research to enhance retention in buprenorphine treatment.     

Interactions on mixing diazepam with methadone or buprenorphine in maintenance patients

Benzodiazepine use by patients in methadone and buprenorphine substitution treatment is common, despite safety concerns regarding these drug interactions. The relative safety of diazepam use by methadone- or buprenorphine-treated patients has not been systematically examined. This study aimed to examine the effect of single diazepam doses, within normal therapeutic range (doses: 0, 10, and 20 mg), upon physiological, subjective, and performance measures in stable methadone and buprenorphine-treated patients. In a double-blind, randomized crossover design, methadone- or buprenorphine-treated patients were administered their normal opioid dose and either placebo, 10-, or 20-mg diazepam, in balanced order over 3 sessions. Eight methadone- and 8 buprenorphine-prescribed patients with no concurrent benzodiazepine dependence or significant comorbidity were recruited from an outpatient addiction clinic in London. Measures were taken at baseline and for 6 hours after dosing, and included physiological responses (pulse rate, blood pressure, pupil size, respiratory rate, and peripheral pO2), subjective drug effects (Addiction Research Center Inventory subscales, visual analog scales of strength of drug effect, drug-liking, and sedation), and performance measures (simple reaction time, cancellation task, digit symbol substitution task, and balance). The 10- and 20-mg diazepam doses resulted in comparable subjective experiences of greater sedation and strength of drug effects in both patient groups, and had minimal impact on physiological parameters. However, diazepam had greater peak effects on performance measures (simple reaction time, digit symbol substitution task, and cancellation time) in methadone-treated than in buprenorphine-treated patients. Diazepam may significantly alter the response to opioid substitution treatment with methadone or buprenorphine.     

A critical appraisal of the Australian comparative trial of methadone and buprenorphine maintenance

While there are serious problems with the analyses and reports, the Australian comparative trial of methadone and buprenorphine maintenance has generated very useful data. Contrary to the triallists' conclusions, their study provides good evidence that methadone is better than buprenorphine at retaining addicts in programmes where clinicians can adjust their patients' daily doses. The trial also provides the first evidence that methadone is significantly cheaper than buprenorphine maintenance. The savings from less frequent clinic attendance were more than offset by the extra time spent dispensing buprenorphine and the greater cost of the buprenorphine itself. In cost-effectiveness terms, the trial's results show methadone 'dominates' buprenorphine as an opioid maintenance drug because it is not only more effective but also cheaper. [Caplehorn J, Deeks JJ. A critical appraisal of the Australian comparative trial of methadone and buprenorphine maintenance. Drug Alcohol Rev 2006;25:157 - 160]     

Decrease in self-reported offences and incarceration rates during methadone treatment: A comparison between patients switching from buprenorphine to methadone and maintenance treatment incident users (ANRS-Methaville trial)

BackgroundPatients receiving buprenorphine who are poor responders can continue to commit drug-related offences. Switching them from buprenorphine to methadone may result in reduced criminal behaviour. We compared self-reported offences and incarceration before and after starting methadone treatment of patients switching from buprenorphine (PSB) and maintenance treatment incident users (MIU).MethodsData on offences, incarceration and other information, were obtained via a telephone interview. Mixed models were used to assess the impact of methadone initiation and being PSB or MIU on (1) the number of days when offences were committed (drug sale, drug purchase, other offences) and (2) experiencing incarceration during the previous 6 months.ResultsAmong the 176 patients with at least one assessment for self-reported offences, 51.7% were PSB. Receiving methadone was significantly associated with a reduction in the number of days when drug sale or drug purchase offences were committed, but not other offences. PSB and MIU groups were different only for drug purchase, as PSB were more likely to have a higher number of days of drug purchase from month 3 onwards. A reduction of 77% in the likelihood of experiencing incarceration was observed and this was comparable in PSB and MIU.ConclusionSwitching non-responding buprenorphine patients to methadone can result in a major reduction in offences and incarceration rates. Increasing access to methadone, using more flexible models of care is urgent for clinical and public health reasons.     

The Cedar Project: methadone maintenance treatment among young Aboriginal people who use opioids in two Canadian cities

Introduction and Aims. The Cedar Project is a community‐based study aiming to identify variables associated with ever being on methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) among young Aboriginal people using drugs and to discuss possible barriers to MMT in this population. Design and Methods. This is a prospective cohort study with recruitment by health‐care providers, outreach, and word of mouth in Vancouver and Prince George. Participants included 605 Aboriginal participants who were age 14–30 years, reported illicit drug use in the month prior to enrolment, and provided written informed consent. Variables associated with ever being on MMT were analysed through χ²‐testing and multivariate logistic regression, limited to people reporting opioid use (n = 397). Results. Less than half of participants reporting daily injection of opioids had ever been on MMT. In adjusted multivariate logistic regression analyses, older age [odds ratio (OR) 1.17; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–1.28)]; female gender (OR 3.76; 95% CI 2.00–7.07); hepatitis C antibody positivity (OR 2.76; 95% CI 1.53–4.95); and daily opioid injection (OR 2.59; 95% CI 1.46–4.61) were positively associated with ever being on MMT. Weekly or more alcohol use (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.21–0.87) was negatively associated with ever being on MMT. Discussion and Conclusion. MMT access by young Aboriginal people is low. The associations between MMT use and other variables need further study to steer efforts directed at recruitment into MMT. The removal of barriers to MMT and inclusion of young Aboriginal people in the development of treatment programs based on Indigenous values are urgently required to help Aboriginal people who use drugs.[Yang J, Oviedo‐Joekes E, Christian KWM, Li K, Louie M, Schechter M, Spittal P. The Cedar Project: Methadone maintenance treatment among young Aboriginal people who use opioids in two Canadian cities. Drug Alcohol Rev 2011;30:645–651]     

Insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness in women and men receiving methadone and buprenorphine maintenance treatment

Background: Insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) are reported to be common in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) but much less is known about these symptoms in buprenorphine maintenance treatment (BMT) and in women compared with men. Methods: Cross sectional study of recipients of BMT (n?=?113, 47 women), MMT (n?=?184, 94 women), people using opioids nonmedically (nonopioid agonist treatment, non-OAT: n?=?87, 31 women) and a reference group with no opioid use (RG; n?=?105, 53 women) in Australia. Measures included Athens Insomnia Scale, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and other substance use. Results: Insomnia (Athens Insomnia Scale, total ≥10) was highly prevalent among all people who use opioids (BMT 46.0–68.1%; MMT 55.4–69.6%; non-OAT 58.6–80.5%), did not differ significantly among these groups, and was significantly associated with anxiety and depression. EDS (Epworth score >10) was found in 14.2% of BMT, 22.8% of MMT, 35.6% of non-OAT groups, and 11.4% of the RG, and was significantly associated with depression overall. Fewer people had Epworth score >15 indicating more severe EDS (BMT 4.4%, MMT 6.0%; non-OAT 13.8%; RG 1.9%). Insomnia and EDS did not differ by sex or by opioid dose, nor were they significantly associated with other drug use, housing stress or social security status. Conclusions: Insomnia was common in people receiving OAT and using opioids non-medically, and associated with anxiety and depression. Clinicians should consider the possibility of daytime sleepiness in people receiving BMT and MMT, and in people using opioids nonmedically.     

Knowledge and stigma regarding methadone maintenance treatment among personnel of methadone maintenance treatment and non-methadone maintenance treatment addiction facilities in Israel

Stigma attached to methadone maintenance treatment is very common. The objective of the current article is to evaluate the presence of stigma and its relation to the extent of knowledge about methadone maintenance treatment. The authors conducted a survey among methadone maintenance treatment and non-methadone maintenance treatment addiction therapists from different treatment centers in Israel, including methadone maintenance treatment clinics (Ministry of Health) and non-methadone maintenance treatment addiction facilities (Ministry of Social Services), using an anonymous questionnaire about methadone maintenance treatment stigma and knowledge. There were 63 therapists from methadone maintenance treatment clinics (63%) and 46 therapists from the social services department (SSD) non-methadone maintenance treatment addiction facilities (9.2%) who responded. Methadone maintenance treatment versus social services department personnel were older (42.7 ± 12.8 versus 37.5 ± 8.2 years; p = 0.03), with fewer females (48 versus 75%; p = 0.006), and 50% were social workers compared to 100% social workers in the SSD group (p < 0.0005). Stigma score was lower among methadone maintenance treatment personnel compared to the social services department personnel (3 ± 2.5 versus 5.0 ± 3.5; p = 0.0001), while the knowledge score about methadone maintenance treatment was higher among the methadone maintenance treatment personnel (10.3 ± 2.9 versus 7.7 ± 2.8; p < 0.0005). The difference in both the stigma and knowledge scores remained significant after controlling for age, gender, and profession. There was a negative correlation between the stigma and knowledge scores among both the methadone maintenance treatment (R = –0.5, p < 0.0005) and the social services department personnel (R = –0.33, p = 0.03). These results revealed a significant correlation between the presence of stigma and the extent of education and knowledge about methadone maintenance treatment, with ignorance and stigma against methadone maintenance treatment being more pronounced among social services department personnel. An educational intervention, especially among social services department personnel, may benefit people who use opioids and improve the overall quality of treatment for opioid addiction in Israel.     

Illicit use of buprenorphine in a community sample of young adult non-medical users of pharmaceutical opioids

Background

There is growing evidence about illicit use of buprenorphine in the U.S. The study aims to: (1) identify prevalence and predictors of illicit buprenorphine use in a community sample of 396 young adult (18–23 years old) non-medical users of pharmaceutical opioids and (2) describe knowledge, attitudes and behaviors linked to illicit buprenorphine use as reported by a qualitative sub-sample (n = 51).

Methods

Participants were recruited using respondent-driven sampling. Qualitative interview participants were selected from the larger sample. The sample (n = 396) was 54% male and 50% white; 7.8% reported lifetime illicit use of buprenorphine.

Results

Logistic regression analysis results indicate that white ethnicity, intranasal inhalation of pharmaceutical opioids, symptoms of opioid dependence, and a greater number of pharmaceutical opioids used in lifetime were statistically significant predictors of illicit buprenorphine use. Qualitative interviews revealed that buprenorphine was more commonly used by more experienced users who were introduced to it by their “junkie friends.” Those who used buprenorphine to self-medicate withdrawal referred to it as a “miracle pill.” When used to get high, reported experiences ranged from “the best high ever” to “puking for days.” Participants reported using buprenorphine/naloxone orally or by intranasal inhalation. Injection of buprenorphine without naloxone was also reported.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that illicit buprenorphine use is gaining ground primarily among whites and those who are more advanced in their drug use careers. Continued monitoring is needed to better understand evolving patterns and trends of illicit buprenorphine use.     

Parental status of women injection drug users and entry to methadone maintenance

This article examines patterns of methadone maintenance treatment entry among 9018 adult women injection drug users (IDUs), with special attention to parental-status differences. The data originate from a statewide drug-treatment database covering all women IDUs who entered drug treatment in the State of Massachusetts over a four-year period. Through the use of logistic regression analysis, the study found that among these women IDUs, those who resided with their children were significantly more likely to enter methadone maintenance than women who were mothers but did not reside with their children. Mothers residing with their children were 73% more likely to enter methadone maintenance than mothers who do not reside with their children. The authors discuss specific programmatic and policy implications including the need to determine whether methadone maintenance should be promoted as an alternative drug treatment option in order to preserve family unification or promote family reunification.     

Factors associated with methadone maintenance therapy use among a cohort of polysubstance using injection drug users in Vancouver

We identified methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) use during follow-up interviews and examined associations between MMT use and socio-demographic and drug-related variables using generalized estimating equations (GEE). Of the 1587 participants recruited into this cohort, 170 (11%) were enrolled in MMT at baseline and additional 498 (31%) initiated MMT during follow-up. Of those ever enrolled in MMT, 406 (61%) ceased MMT and re-initiated MMT on more than one occasion. The median treatment duration was 14.4 months. Factors that were negatively and significantly associated with MMT use in multivariate analyses included: Aboriginal ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.40); recent incarceration (AOR = 0.79); sex trade involvement (AOR = 0.87); syringe lending (AOR = 0.72); heroin injection (AOR = 0.64), whereas female gender (AOR = 2.47), HIV positivity (AOR = 1.57), and crack cocaine smoking (AOR = 1.23) were positively and significantly associated with being on MMT. Unstable housing, syringe borrowing, non-fatal overdose, cocaine injection, and residence in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside were not associated with MMT use in multivariate analyses. Our study demonstrates high rates of initiation of and retention in MMT among local IDUs. While the use of MMT was associated with reductions in heroin use and HIV risk behavior, barriers to Aboriginal IDUs were evident, and the association with increased crack cocaine use deserves further study.