Suicidal risk among patients enrolled in methadone maintenance treatment: HCV status and implications for suicide prevention (ANRS Methaville).
BACKGROUND
Suicide is a critical issue among opioid users. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between HCV status and suicidal risk in patients receiving methadone treatment.


METHODS
We used data from Methaville, a multicenter, pragmatic randomized trial designed to evaluate the feasibility of methadone induction in primary care compared with induction in specialized centers. Suicidal risk was assessed at enrollment and after one year of methadone treatment using the suicidality module in the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Socio-demographic characteristics, drug and alcohol consumption, behavioral and personality factors, history of drug use and health indicators were also assessed.


RESULTS
A total of 195 individuals were enrolled from January 2009 to December 2010. Suicidal risk assessment was available at month 0 (M0) and M12 for 159 (72%) and 118 (73%) individuals, respectively. Forty-four (28%) were at risk of suicide at M0 and 17 (14%) at M12 (p=0.004). One patient attempted suicide by overdose during the one-year follow-up. The following three factors were associated with suicidal risk: hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive status (OR [95%CI]=17.25 [1.14-161.07]; p=0.04), receiving food assistance (OR [95%CI]=0.05 [0.00-1.05]; p=0.05) and a higher number of health problems (OR [95%CI]=1.24 [1.08-1.44]; p=0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
Special attention should be given to HCV-positive patients through suicidal risk prevention strategies and routine suicide assessment as part of a comprehensive approach to prevention and care for opioid users. Our results represent a new and powerful argument for the expansion of access to HCV treatment to drug users with chronic infection.
Health and Medical Research National Institute, Research Unit 669, Paris, France; University Paris-Sud and University Paris Descartes, UMRS0669, Paris, France; Centre Pierre Nicole, French Red Cross, 27 rue Pierre Nicole, Paris, France. Electronic address: laurent.michel@croix-rouge.fr.
Laurent
L
Michel
INSERM, UMR912 "Economics and Social Sciences Applied to Health and Analysis of Medical Information" (SESSTIM), 13006 Marseille, France; Aix Marseille University, UMRS912, IRD, 13006 Marseille, France; ORS PACA, Southeastern Health Regional Observatory, 23 rue Stanislas Torrents, 13006 Marseille, France.
Caroline
C
Lions
INSERM, UMR912 "Economics and Social Sciences Applied to Health and Analysis of Medical Information" (SESSTIM), 13006 Marseille, France; Aix Marseille University, UMRS912, IRD, 13006 Marseille, France; ORS PACA, Southeastern Health Regional Observatory, 23 rue Stanislas Torrents, 13006 Marseille, France.
Gwenaelle
G
Maradan
INSERM, UMR912 "Economics and Social Sciences Applied to Health and Analysis of Medical Information" (SESSTIM), 13006 Marseille, France; Aix Marseille University, UMRS912, IRD, 13006 Marseille, France; ORS PACA, Southeastern Health Regional Observatory, 23 rue Stanislas Torrents, 13006 Marseille, France.
Marion
M
Mora
INSERM, UMR912 "Economics and Social Sciences Applied to Health and Analysis of Medical Information" (SESSTIM), 13006 Marseille, France; Aix Marseille University, UMRS912, IRD, 13006 Marseille, France; ORS PACA, Southeastern Health Regional Observatory, 23 rue Stanislas Torrents, 13006 Marseille, France.
Fabienne
F
Marcellin
Oppelia, 20 Avenue Daumesnil, 7512 Paris, France.
Alain
A
Morel
INSERM, UMR912 "Economics and Social Sciences Applied to Health and Analysis of Medical Information" (SESSTIM), 13006 Marseille, France; Aix Marseille University, UMRS912, IRD, 13006 Marseille, France; ORS PACA, Southeastern Health Regional Observatory, 23 rue Stanislas Torrents, 13006 Marseille, France.
Bruno
B
Spire
INSERM, UMR912 "Economics and Social Sciences Applied to Health and Analysis of Medical Information" (SESSTIM), 13006 Marseille, France; Aix Marseille University, UMRS912, IRD, 13006 Marseille, France; ORS PACA, Southeastern Health Regional Observatory, 23 rue Stanislas Torrents, 13006 Marseille, France.
Perrine
P
Roux
INSERM, UMR912 "Economics and Social Sciences Applied to Health and Analysis of Medical Information" (SESSTIM), 13006 Marseille, France; Aix Marseille University, UMRS912, IRD, 13006 Marseille, France; ORS PACA, Southeastern Health Regional Observatory, 23 rue Stanislas Torrents, 13006 Marseille, France.
Patrizia M
PM
Carrieri
D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D063105:Food Assistance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016174:Hepacivirus; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D008691:Methadone