Conducting clinical research with prescription opioid dependence: defining the population.
Most treatment studies of opioid-dependent populations have focused predominantly on heroin users, despite a recent increase in those dependent upon prescription opioids. A key methodological challenge involved in studying the latter group involves defining the population. Specifically, researchers must decide whether to include (1) concurrent heroin users and (2) individuals with pain. The multi-site Prescription Opioid Addiction Treatment Study is examining treatments for this population. This paper describes various inclusion criteria considered by the study team related to heroin use and pain. The goal was to recruit a distinct but generalizable population of individuals dependent upon prescription opioids. (Am J Addict 2010;00:1-6).
Weiss
Roger D
RD
Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA. rweiss@mclean.harvard.edu
Potter
Jennifer S
JS
Copersino
Marc L
ML
Prather
Kristi
K
Jacobs
Petra
P
Provost
Scott
S
Chim
David
D
Selzer
Jeffrey
J
Ling
Walter
W
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000145:classification; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D018579:Patient Selection; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D055553:Prescription Drugs