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Severity of psychiatric and physical problems is associated with lower quality of life in methadone patients in Indonesia
Author(s) -
Iskandar Shelly,
van Crevel Reinout,
Hidayat Teddy,
Siregar Ike M.P.,
Achmad Tri H.,
van der Ven Andre J.,
De Jong Cor A.
Publication year - 2013
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/j.1521-0391.2013.00334.x
Subject(s) - medicine , psychiatry , quality of life (healthcare) , methadone maintenance , anxiety , hepatitis c , methadone , nursing
Background and Objectives The goal of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is to reduce the harm and to improve patients' quality of life (Qol). However, the Qol is also influenced by other co‐occurring disorders. Data regarding the Qol and the co‐occurrence of these disorders is lacking in low‐middle income countries. We therefore describe the prevalence of physical, psychiatric, and drug abuse co‐occurring disorders among MMT patients in Indonesia and determine the association between the severity of the co‐occurring disorders and the Qol. Methods Data were collected in 112 injection drug abusers (IDUs) attending a MMT program in West Java, Indonesia, using validated questionnaires, medical records and laboratory testing. For comparison, 154 IDUs not enrolled in MMT were recruited by respondent driven sampling. Results The most frequent co‐occurring disorders were hepatitis C (92%), HIV (77%), benzodiazepine abuse (56%), and anxiety disorders (32%). IDUs in MMT had one (26%), two (47%), or three (27%) co‐occurring disorders. Higher severity in psychiatric and physical problems was associated with poorer Qol. IDUs not enrolled in MMT had similar co‐occurring problems. Conclusions The prevalence of co‐occurring disorders in IDUs in Indonesia is high and they influence their Qol. Scientific Significance Therefore, comprehensive treatment, especially focusing on the common co‐occurring disorders should be provided in MMT to improve the Qol. (Am J Addict 2013;22:425–431)