title: Predictors of Poor Adherence to Methadone Maintenance Treatment in Yunnan Province, China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  China initiated the methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program since 2004. The main challenge has been poor clinic adherence, which has a serious impact on treatment efficacy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to identify predictors of poor adherence to MMT in Yunnan Province, China.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a case-control study of 764 patients, newly enrolled or re-enrolled on MMT programs, between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2011. Information was obtained from clinic databases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequency of poor adherence was 561 (73.43%). Lower daily methadone dosage (<60 mg) was significantly associated with poor adherence (odds ratio 4.07; 95% confidence interval, 2.88-5.74; P value < 0.001). Younger age was also a significant predictor of poor adherence (odds ratio 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.05; P value < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher dosage of methadone is recommended as a way to improve treatment adherence.
authors.affiliation: Yunnan Institute for Drug Abuse, Kunming, China (JS, XW, GZ, JG, XL, JL); National Addiction Centre, Division of Psychological Medicine and Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London, UK (MW).
authors.forename: Jiucheng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiaodan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Guanbai
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Xinyue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jianhua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D009294:Narcotics; D008691:Methadone