title: Patterns of major depression and drug-related problems amongst heroin users across 36 months.
abstract: The study aimed to determine patterns of major depression (MD) across 36 months, and the relationship to outcomes for the treatment of heroin dependence. As part of a longitudinal cohort study, 429 heroin users were interviewed at 36 month follow-up. MD declined from 23.8% at baseline to 8.2% at 36 months. Females were more likely to have MD at both baseline (31.1 vs. 19.8) and 36 months (11.9 vs. 6.1%). Those with MD at baseline were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with MD at a follow-up interview (40.2 vs. 15.9%) and at 36 months (14.7 vs. 6.1%). Antidepressant use did not decrease across 36 months amongst either gender. Baseline MD was not related to treatment exposure across 36 months. There were large and significant declines in drug use and drug-related problems, and improvements in physical health with no group differences evident at 36 months. Despite improvements in global mental health, at both baseline and 36 months those with MD at baseline had significantly lower SF12 mental health scores. It was concluded that, with the exception of depression, the prognosis of depressed heroin users is not worse than that of non-depressed users.
authors.affiliation: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia. s.darke@unsw.edu.au
authors.forename: Shane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Darke
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: Maree
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Teesson
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: Alys
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Havard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003415:Crime / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D003932:Heroin / Q000633:toxicity; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016485:Needle Sharing / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009517:New South Wales; D011379:Prognosis; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009294:Narcotics; D002047:Buprenorphine; D003932:Heroin; D008691:Methadone