Background Opioid dependence and HIV infection are associated with poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Buprenorphine/naloxone (bup/nx) provided in HIV care settings may improve HRQOL. Methods We surveyed 289 HIV-infected opioid-dependent persons treated with clinic-based bup/nx about HRQOL using the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) administered at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. We used normalized SF-12 scores which correspond to a mean HRQOL of 50 for the general U.S. population (SD 10, possible range 0–100). We compared mean normalized mental and physical composite and component scores in quarters 1, 2, 3, and 4 with baseline scores using GEE models. We assessed the effect of clinic-based bup/nx prescription on HRQOL composite scores using mixed effects regression with site as random effect and time as repeated effect. Results Baseline normalized SF-12 scores were lower than the general U.S. population for all HRQOL domains. Average composite mental HRQOL improved from 38.3 (SE 12.5) to 43.4 (SE 13.2) (β 1.13 [95% CI 0.72, 1.54]) and composite physical HRQOL remained unchanged (β 0.21 [95% CI −0.16, 0.57]) over 12 months follow-up. Continued bup/nx treatment across all four quarters was associated with improvements in both physical (β 2.38 [95% CI 0.63, 4.12]) and mental (β 2.51 [95% CI 0.42, 4.60]) HRQOL after adjusting for other contributors to HRQOL. Conclusions Clinic-based bup/nx maintenance therapy is potentially effective in ameliorating some of the adverse effects of opioid dependence on HRQOL for HIV-infected populations.

Background Opioid-dependent HIV-infected patients are less likely to receive HIV quality of care indicators (QIs) compared with nondependent patients. Buprenorphine/naloxone maintenance therapy (bup/nx) could affect the quality of HIV care for opioid-dependent patients. Methods We abstracted 16 QIs from medical records at nine HIV clinics 12 months before and after initiation of bup/nx versus other treatment for opioid dependence. Summary quality scores (number of QIs received/number eligible × 100) were calculated. We compared change in QIs and summary quality scores in patients receiving bup/nx versus other participants. Results One hundred ninety-four of 268 participants (72%) received bup/nx and 74 (28%) received other treatment. Mean summary quality scores increased over 12 months for participants receiving bup/nx (45.6% to 51.6%, P < 0.001) but not other treatment (48.6% to 47.8%, P = 0.788). Bup/nx participants experienced improvements in six of 16 HIV QIs versus three of 16 QIs in other participants. Improvements were mostly in preventive and monitoring care domains. In multivariable analysis, bup/nx was associated with improved summary quality score (β 8.55; 95% confidence interval, 2.06–15.0). Conclusions In this observational cohort study, HIV-infected patients with opioid dependence received approximately half of HIV QIs at baseline. Buprenorphine treatment was associated with improvement in HIV QIs at 12 months. Integration of bup/nx into HIV clinics may increase receipt of high-quality HIV care. Further research is required to assess the effect of improved quality of HIV care on clinical outcomes.

Buprenorphine/naloxone did not produce measurable hepatic toxicity or pharmacodynamic interaction with atazanavir in HIV-infected opioid-dependent patients.

Introduction: Addictive and psychiatric disorders are a significant barrier to retention in medical care leading to worse outcomes. As part of an HIV care expansion project, the H-STAR intervention was designed to treat substance use and psychiatric disorders for minority patients receiving co-located HIV medical care. Aims: The intervention aim was to increase access to treatment for substance abuse and psychiatric disorders in minority HIV+ patients and reduce substance use. Objectives: The H-STAR primary objective was to offer substance and psychiatric evaluation and treatment with an integrated treatment model. Methods: All participants in H-STAR underwent substance abuse screening and evaluation, using DSM-IV-TR criteria. Substance use was measured on the Government Performance Reports Act (GPRA) form at baseline and 6 months. Intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) using the Matrix Model as the behavioral intervention was available to all patients. All patients were offered and scheduled psychiatric evaluation and treatment with an onsite psychiatrist. Results: Of 123 enrolled persons with both baseline and 6 month GPRAs, the prevalence of substance abuse/dependence disorders were as follows: Alcohol: 32 (24.2%); Opiate: 54 (43.9%); Cocaine: 47(38.2%); and Marijuana: 26(21.1%). Thirty (22.1%) completed IOP. At 6 month follow-up there was statistically significant reduced use of alcohol, heroin and cocaine. Of 136 enrolled participants, seventy-five (55.1%) had psychiatric evaluations; 53 (70.7%) received medication management. Conclusions: There was a significant reduction in all substance use; cocaine use remained the most prevalent. Despite open access to psychiatric evaluation, not all patients completed evaluation in spite of multiple attempts to reschedule.

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