title: Predictors of outcome after short-term stabilization with buprenorphine.
abstract: Using buprenorphine as a medication to treat opioid dependence is becoming more prevalent as illicit opiate use increases. Identifying the characteristics of opiate dependent individuals best suited to benefit from buprenorphine would improve guidelines for its administration. This study evaluates baseline and treatment participation variables for predicting positive response to short-term stabilization with buprenorphine. Data include demographic, drug use, and other variables collected from participants undergoing stabilization over a 4-week period before being tapered off buprenorphine in a short-term detoxification process. Outcome variables include opioid use and retention. Logistic regression results indicate several characteristics associated with opioid use at the end of the stabilization period. These include being older, having no criminal history, and less opiate use. Criminal activity and opioid use in the last 30 days were significantly associated with shorter treatment stays. The benefits of identifying individual characteristics that may predict treatment response are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA. hillhous@ucla.edu
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hillhouse
authors.forename: Catherine P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Canamar
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ling
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment / Q000379:methods*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D002047:Buprenorphine