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Buprenorphine treatment retention and comorbidities among patients with opioid use disorder in a primary care setting
Author(s) -
Sweeney Mary M.,
Prichett Laura,
Fingerhood Michael I.,
Antoine Denis,
Umbricht Annie,
Dunn Kelly E.,
Buresh Megan E.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1111/ajad.13268
Subject(s) - buprenorphine , medicine , opioid use disorder , comorbidity , retrospective cohort study , medical prescription , opioid , psychiatry , pharmacology , receptor
Background and Objectives More information is needed about comorbidities among patients receiving buprenorphine maintenance treatment and their relationship with retention. Methods Retrospective electronic health record data over a 5‐year period from primary care patients receiving buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder were examined ( N = 899). The present analysis determined the prevalence of comorbidities and examined associations with treatment retention as defined by cumulative duration of buprenorphine prescription. Results Tobacco use and comorbidities including hypertension were prevalent but did not predict retention according to survival analyses controlling for demographic characteristics. Retention was poorer among patients testing positive for cocaine (HR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.09–1.74, p = .007) and patients with hepatitis C virus (HR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01–1.37, p = .04). Conclusion and Scientific Significance This study provides new knowledge of previously unexamined associations between comorbidities (e.g., hypertension) and buprenorphine treatment retention. The robust association between cocaine use and poorer buprenorphine retention serves to resolve prior conflicting data in the literature.