z-logo
open-access-imgOpen Access
Quality of Life in Opioid Replacement Therapy: A Naturalistic Cross-Sectional Comparison of Methadone/Levomethadone, Buprenorphine, and Diamorphine Patients
Author(s) -
Stephanie Paula Elisabeth Guillery,
Rainer Hellweg,
Golo Kronenberg,
Ulrich Bohr,
Hagen Kunte,
Sören Enge
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
european addiction research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.862
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1421-9891
pISSN - 1022-6877
DOI - 10.1159/000514192
Subject(s) - buprenorphine , methadone , medicine , opioid , quality of life (healthcare) , heroin , anesthesia , pharmacology , drug , receptor , nursing
Background: Research on quality of life (QoL) of chronically ill patients provides an opportunity to evaluate the efficacy of long-term treatments. Although it is established that opioid replacement therapy is an effective treatment for opioid-dependent patients, there is little knowledge about physical and psychological functioning of QoL for different treatment options. Objectives: Altogether, 248 opioid-dependent patients receiving substitution treatment with either methadone/levomethadone ( n = 126), diamorphine ( n = 85), or buprenorphine ( n = 37) were recruited in 6 German therapy centers. Methods: Sociodemographic data were collected. QoL – physical and psychological functioning – for different substitutes was assessed using the Profile of the Quality of Life in the Chronically Ill (PLC) questionnaire. Results: Patient groups were similar regarding age and duration of opioid dependence. Employment rate was significantly higher ( p < 0.005, φ = 0.22) in the buprenorphine group (46%) compared to methadone (18%). Dosage adjustments were more frequent ( p < 0.001, φ = 0.29) in diamorphine (55%) than in methadone (30%) or buprenorphine (19%) patients. Buprenorphine and diamorphine patients rated their physical functioning substantially higher than methadone patients ( p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.141). Diamorphine patients reported a higher psychological functioning ( p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.078) and overall life improvement ( p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.060) compared to methadone, but not compared to buprenorphine patients (both p > 0.25). Conclusion: Measurement of important QoL aspects indicates significant differences for physical and psychological functioning in patients receiving the substitutes methadone/levomethadone, diamorphine, and buprenorphine. This could be relevant for the differential therapy of opioid addiction.

The content you want is available to Zendy users.

Already have an account? Click here to sign in.
Having issues? You can contact us here