Determinants of health-related quality of life of opiate users at entry to low-threshold methadone programs.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to conduct an exploratory analysis of factors associated with poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among opiate users at entry to low-threshold methadone treatment.


METHODS
The SF-36 questionnaire was administered to 145 opiate users at enrollment into low-threshold methadone maintenance programs. ANOVA and correlational analyses were performed to investigate the determinants of poor physical and mental composite summary scales (PCS and MCS) of the SF-36 among opiate users. Stepwise regression methods were also employed to fit PCS and MCS multivariate models.


RESULTS
Age, employment status, chronic medical conditions, hospitalization, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and age at first injection episode were significantly associated with PCS. Mental health problems, sexual abuse, physical abuse, the use of sedatives, the use of cocaine, the number of days of cocaine use, sedative use and multiple substance use in the past month were significantly associated with MCS. The variances in the MCS and PCS were not readily explained by any one factor.


CONCLUSIONS
The multiplicity of factors influencing HRQOL of opiate users suggests the need for a range of services within the context of a methadone program, addressing primary medical care needs as well as treatment for both mental health problems and abuse issues.
Millson
Peggy
P
Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. p.millson@utoronto.ca
Challacombe
Laurel
L
Villeneuve
Paul J
PJ
Strike
Carol J
CJ
Fischer
Benedikt
B
Myers
Ted
T
Shore
Ron
R
Hopkins
Shaun
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012008:Recurrence; D019233:Retreatment; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents; D008691:Methadone