Methadone maintenance treatment in the Swiss Canton of Vaud: demographic and clinical data on 1,782 ambulatory patients.
Using data from the Public Health Service, we studied the demographic and clinical characteristics of 1,782 patients enrolled in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) during 2001 in the Swiss Canton of Vaud, comparing our findings with the results of a previous study from 1976 to 1986. In 2001, most patients (76.9%) were treated in general practice. Mortality is low in this MMT population (1%/year). While patient age and sex profiles were similar to those found in the earlier study, we did observe a substantial increase in the number of patients and the number of practitioners treating MMT patients, probably reflecting the low-threshold governmental policies and the creation of specialized centers. In conclusion, easier access to MMT enhances the number of patients, but new concerns about the quality of management emerge: benzodiazepine as a concomitant prescription; low rates of screening for hepatitis B, C and HIV, and social and psychiatric preoccupations.
Pelet
Anne
A
Centre Saint-Martin, Rue Saint-Martin 7, CH-1003 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Doll
Sébastien
S
Huissoud
Thérèse
T
Resplendino
Janine
J
Besson
Jacques
J
Favrat
Bernard
B
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011635:Public Health Administration; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D009294:Narcotics; D008691:Methadone