title: Changes in the characteristics and levels of comorbidity among new patients into methadone maintenance treatment program in British Columbia during its expansion period from 1998-2006.
abstract: We described the changing characteristics and comorbidity levels of new patients into Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program in British Columbia, Canada, during its expansion period of 1998-2006. Analyses used administrative data. Generalized regression models were applied using Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and Chronic Disease Score (CDS) as outcomes. 12,615 individuals initiated MMT during 1998-2006, while their odds of having moderate CCI (1 ≤ CCI ≤ 4) and mean CDS increased by 60% and 11%, respectively, after adjusting for confounders. MMT entrants were presented with progressively higher levels of comorbidity, independent of other characteristics. Future MMT policies should address higher levels of comorbidity among new patients.
authors.affiliation: School of Population & Public Health, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia , Canada.
authors.forename: Behnam
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sharif
authors.forename: Bohdan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nosyk
authors.forename: Huiying
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Marsh
authors.forename: Aslam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class
chemical_list: D008691:Methadone