title: Clinical correlates of health-related quality of life among opioid-dependent patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Previous work suggests that opioid users have lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL) than patients with more prevalent chronic illnesses such as hypertension or diabetes. Although comparisons with population norms are informative, studies of the correlates of HRQOL for opioid users are needed to plan clinical services.
  
  
  METHODS
  We tested a conceptual model of the pathways between physiologic factors and symptoms in relation to HRQOL among 344 opioid users in a clinical trial. Physical and mental HRQOL were measured by the Short-Form (SF)-36; withdrawal signs, symptoms, and functioning were also measured with validated instruments. Using structural equation modeling, we tested hypotheses that medical history directly predicts withdrawal signs and symptoms, and that medical history, withdrawal signs and symptoms, and functioning predict the physical and mental HRQOL latent variables of the SF-36.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most hypothesized relationships were significant, and model fit was good. The model explained 36% of the variance in mental HRQOL and 34% of the variance in physical HRQOL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The conceptual framework appears valid for explaining variation in the physical and mental HRQOL of opioid users undergoing medically managed withdrawal. Analysis of longitudinal data would help to evaluate more rigorously the adequacy of the model for explaining HRQOL in opioid withdrawal.
authors.affiliation: kevin.heslin@va.gov
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Heslin
authors.forename: Judith A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: Keith G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Heinzerling
authors.forename: Deyu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Magladry
authors.forename: Ron D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Hays
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D002047:Buprenorphine