Arantza Sanvisens1, Inmaculada Rivas2, Eva Faure2, Trinidad Muñoz2, Manuela Rubio2, Daniel Fuster3, Jordi Tor1, Robert Muga4. 1. Servei de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Barcelona, España. 2. Centre d'Atenció i Seguiment de les Drogodependències (CAS-Delta) i Bus Intermunicipal de Metadona (BIM), Institut Municipal de Serveis Personals, Badalona, Barcelona, España. 3. Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, EE. UU. 4. Servei de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Barcelona, España. Electronic address: rmuga.germanstrias@gencat.cat.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJETIVE: Methadone is largely used as the primary opioid substitution therapy for the treatment of heroin addiction; the objective of the study was to describe the clinical characteristics of heroin abusers admitted into a methadone maintenance program (MMP) in metropolitan Barcelona. METHOD: Cross-sectional study in patients enrolled in MMP since its introduction in 1992 through December 2010. Socio-demographic data, drug use characteristics, prevalence of blood-borne infections (human immunodeficiency virus [HIV], and hepatitis B [HBV] and C [HCV]) and psychiatric co-morbidity were assessed at entry. RESULTS: One thousand and six hundred seventy eight patients (82.8% male). A total of 608 (36.2%) patients were admitted during 1992-1996, 566 (33.7%) between 1997-2001, 305 (18.2%) between 2002-2006 and 199 (11.9%) in the last period. Age at admission to methadone increased significantly (28 years in period 1992-1996 vs. 37 years in the last period [P<.005]). The percentage of patients with a history of intravenous drug use decreased significantly (89.5% in first period vs. 56.4% in period 2007-2010 [P<.05]). Prevalence of HIV, HCV and HBV (HBcAb+) was 53.7, 73.6 and 61.3%, respectively. The prevalence of HIV decreased over time from 66.2% in first period to 43.5% in 2007-2010 (P<.05); the prevalence of HCV decreased significantly from 82.8% in 1992-1996 to 69.8% in last period (P<.05). Twenty five percent of patients had psychiatric co-morbidity at admission and the prevalence of psychiatric co-morbidity increased over time (21% in 1992-1996 and 32% in 2007-2010; P<.05). CONCLUSION: Age at first opioid substitution therapy is increasing over time, as well as the proportion of patients with psychiatric co-morbidity. There were significant reductions in blood-borne infections.
BACKGROUND AND OBJETIVE: Methadone is largely used as the primary opioid substitution therapy for the treatment of heroin addiction; the objective of the study was to describe the clinical characteristics of heroin abusers admitted into a methadone maintenance program (MMP) in metropolitan Barcelona. METHOD: Cross-sectional study in patients enrolled in MMP since its introduction in 1992 through December 2010. Socio-demographic data, drug use characteristics, prevalence of blood-borne infections (human immunodeficiency virus [HIV], and hepatitis B [HBV] and C [HCV]) and psychiatric co-morbidity were assessed at entry. RESULTS: One thousand and six hundred seventy eight patients (82.8% male). A total of 608 (36.2%) patients were admitted during 1992-1996, 566 (33.7%) between 1997-2001, 305 (18.2%) between 2002-2006 and 199 (11.9%) in the last period. Age at admission to methadone increased significantly (28 years in period 1992-1996 vs. 37 years in the last period [P<.005]). The percentage of patients with a history of intravenous drug use decreased significantly (89.5% in first period vs. 56.4% in period 2007-2010 [P<.05]). Prevalence of HIV, HCV and HBV (HBcAb+) was 53.7, 73.6 and 61.3%, respectively. The prevalence of HIV decreased over time from 66.2% in first period to 43.5% in 2007-2010 (P<.05); the prevalence of HCV decreased significantly from 82.8% in 1992-1996 to 69.8% in last period (P<.05). Twenty five percent of patients had psychiatric co-morbidity at admission and the prevalence of psychiatric co-morbidity increased over time (21% in 1992-1996 and 32% in 2007-2010; P<.05). CONCLUSION: Age at first opioid substitution therapy is increasing over time, as well as the proportion of patients with psychiatric co-morbidity. There were significant reductions in blood-borne infections.
Authors: Arantza Sanvisens; Inmaculada Rivas; Eva Faure; Néstor Espinach; Anna Hernandez-Rubio; Xavier Majó; Joan Colom; Robert Muga Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2020-10-14 Impact factor: 5.742
Authors: Annemarie Rinder Stengaard; Lauren Combs; Virginie Supervie; Sara Croxford; Sarika Desai; Ann K Sullivan; Stine Finne Jakobsen; Quenia Santos; Daniel Simões; Jordi Casabona; Jeffrey V Lazarus; John B F de Wit; Frank M Amort; Anastasia Pharris; Lina Nerlander; Dorthe Raben Journal: Euro Surveill Date: 2021-11