Large and non-specific somatic disease burdens among ageing, long-term opioid maintenance treatment patients

Abstract Objectives To describe and explore somatic disease burdens of ageing long-term patients in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT), a unique population emerging in countries offering OMT as a long-term treatment. Methods We used data from the Norwegian Cohort of Patient in Opioid Maintenance Tre...

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Main Authors: David Medved, Thomas Clausen, Anne Bukten, Ronny Bjørnestad, Ashley Elizabeth Muller
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2020-11-01
Series:Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13011-020-00311-4
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spelling doaj-93c8de9f32944297a8441e228f1a65162020-11-25T04:02:58ZengBMCSubstance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy1747-597X2020-11-011511910.1186/s13011-020-00311-4Large and non-specific somatic disease burdens among ageing, long-term opioid maintenance treatment patientsDavid Medved0Thomas Clausen1Anne Bukten2Ronny Bjørnestad3Ashley Elizabeth Muller4Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research, Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of OsloNorwegian Centre for Addiction Research, Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of OsloNorwegian Centre for Addiction Research, Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of OsloproLARNorwegian Centre for Addiction Research, Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of OsloAbstract Objectives To describe and explore somatic disease burdens of ageing long-term patients in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT), a unique population emerging in countries offering OMT as a long-term treatment. Methods We used data from the Norwegian Cohort of Patient in Opioid Maintenance Treatment and Other Drug Treatment Study (NorComt). 156 patients enrolled for at least three of the past five years provided data during structured interviews, including on chronic conditions, somatic treatment received, mental distress (SCL-25), and treatment satisfaction. A somatic disease burden was calculated from a list measuring the recent severity of 16 somatic complaints. A hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis identified correlates of somatic disease burden. Results Over half of patients reported at least seven somatic complaints. Reported somatic disease burden was associated with higher mental distress, more chronic conditions, fewer years in OMT, and treatment dissatisfaction. Age was unrelated, and there were few gender differences. These five variables explained 43.6% of the variance in disease burden. Conclusion Long-term OMT patients experience a large range of somatic complaints, and at non-acute levels. As OMT secures longevity for opioid-dependent persons, the clinical focus must be adjusted from acute to chronic care. Providers must address how to optimize health and quality of life while in treatment, as treatment may last for many years.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13011-020-00311-4Opioid maintenance treatmentOpioidsSomatic disease burdenAgeingChronic diseaseMental distress
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author David Medved
Thomas Clausen
Anne Bukten
Ronny Bjørnestad
Ashley Elizabeth Muller
spellingShingle David Medved
Thomas Clausen
Anne Bukten
Ronny Bjørnestad
Ashley Elizabeth Muller
Large and non-specific somatic disease burdens among ageing, long-term opioid maintenance treatment patients
Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy
Opioid maintenance treatment
Opioids
Somatic disease burden
Ageing
Chronic disease
Mental distress
author_facet David Medved
Thomas Clausen
Anne Bukten
Ronny Bjørnestad
Ashley Elizabeth Muller
author_sort David Medved
title Large and non-specific somatic disease burdens among ageing, long-term opioid maintenance treatment patients
title_short Large and non-specific somatic disease burdens among ageing, long-term opioid maintenance treatment patients
title_full Large and non-specific somatic disease burdens among ageing, long-term opioid maintenance treatment patients
title_fullStr Large and non-specific somatic disease burdens among ageing, long-term opioid maintenance treatment patients
title_full_unstemmed Large and non-specific somatic disease burdens among ageing, long-term opioid maintenance treatment patients
title_sort large and non-specific somatic disease burdens among ageing, long-term opioid maintenance treatment patients
publisher BMC
series Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy
issn 1747-597X
publishDate 2020-11-01
description Abstract Objectives To describe and explore somatic disease burdens of ageing long-term patients in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT), a unique population emerging in countries offering OMT as a long-term treatment. Methods We used data from the Norwegian Cohort of Patient in Opioid Maintenance Treatment and Other Drug Treatment Study (NorComt). 156 patients enrolled for at least three of the past five years provided data during structured interviews, including on chronic conditions, somatic treatment received, mental distress (SCL-25), and treatment satisfaction. A somatic disease burden was calculated from a list measuring the recent severity of 16 somatic complaints. A hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis identified correlates of somatic disease burden. Results Over half of patients reported at least seven somatic complaints. Reported somatic disease burden was associated with higher mental distress, more chronic conditions, fewer years in OMT, and treatment dissatisfaction. Age was unrelated, and there were few gender differences. These five variables explained 43.6% of the variance in disease burden. Conclusion Long-term OMT patients experience a large range of somatic complaints, and at non-acute levels. As OMT secures longevity for opioid-dependent persons, the clinical focus must be adjusted from acute to chronic care. Providers must address how to optimize health and quality of life while in treatment, as treatment may last for many years.
topic Opioid maintenance treatment
Opioids
Somatic disease burden
Ageing
Chronic disease
Mental distress
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13011-020-00311-4
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