Quality of life profiles and changes in the course of maintenance treatment among 1,015 patients with severe opioid dependence.
BACKGROUND
Studies indicate that different areas of mental, physical, social and daily life functioning need to be considered in order to improve intervention outcomes in substance user patients. The aim of the study was to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients diagnosed with opioid dependence as compared to healthy controls and patients diagnosed with depression and schizophrenia.


METHODS
A total of 1,015 outpatients diagnosed with opioid dependence were investigated during 12 months of maintenance treatment. HRQOL (MSQoL), addiction (EUROP-ASI), and sociodemographic characteristics were assessed.


RESULTS
HRQOL in opioid dependence improved significantly (p < .001), but was lower as compared to that of healthy controls and patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. HRQOL in opioid dependence comprises addiction-specific aspects, most importantly low material satisfaction, physical health, and social stability.


CONCLUSIONS
HRQOL measurement provides valuable information for course and outcome in opioid dependence treatment.
University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany. karow@uke.de
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A
Karow
U
U
Verthein
R
R
Pukrop
J
J
Reimer
C
C
Haasen
M
M
Krausz
I
I
Schäfer
D000328:Adult; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D003932:Heroin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment / Q000523:psychology; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000523:psychology*
D003932:Heroin; D008691:Methadone