The Chinese version of obsessive compulsive drug use scale: validation in outpatient methadone maintenance treatment program

Abstract

Background The Obsessive Compulsive Drug Use Scale (OCDUS) measures the overall craving level within a period from a multidimensional perspective. However, no studies have addressed the validity of the new OCDUS factor structure, presented in 2016, in China. Additionally, there is lack of evidence on the interaction among risk factors for relapse. We aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the scores of the Chinese version of the OCDUS in patients with heroin dependence receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). Further, we aimed to assess the correlations of the OCDUS scores with withdrawal symptoms, depression, anxiety, and nicotine dependence. Methods We enrolled 113 adults (age 32–64 years) and administered them with the OCDUS, Subjective Opioid Withdrawal Scale (SOWS), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). Results Exploratory factor analysis identified a 3-dimensional component that included “Frequency of craving,” “Inference of heroin,” and “Control of heroin.” These factors showed acceptable internal consistency, adequate item-total correlations, and significant item-subscale correlations. There was no correlation between the OCUDS scores and age, education, duration of receiving MMT, and MMT dosages. However, there was a significant correlation between the OCDUS total scores and the SOWS, STAI, BDI-II, and FTND scores. The scores of all the subscales were associated with the SOWS scores; further, the scores of the first two subscales were associated with BDI-II scores while only the scores of the first subscale were associated with the FTND scores. Conclusions Our findings support the reliability and structure validity of the OCDUS scores. Heroin craving, withdrawal symptoms, negative emotions, and nicotine dependence, which are considered as risk factors for heroin relapse, might interact with each other. There is a need for further studies on the underlying mechanism of these clinical phenomena.

Measuring craving: A systematic review and mapping of assessment instruments. What about sexual craving?

“…The second family is based on the Obsessive-Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS) [108] inspired by the 'heavy drinking' version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOS) [109]. This family includes three original instruments [108][109][110][111][112][113][114][115] and 16 variations [77,79,80,[116][117][118][119][120][121][122][123][124][125][126][127][128][129][130]. The instruments in this family are structured around two dimensions: (a) obsessions (understood as thoughts about the substance) and (b) compulsions (understood as consumption).…”

Regaining control over opioid use? The potential application of auricular transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation to improve opioid treatment in China

“…For example, OUD users could turn on the atVNS device whenever they are confronted with any triggers related to opioid use (e.g., a disposable syringe with needle or a tourniquet). Hence, combining CBT with atVNS could be useful in preventing relapses and the efficacy of such combination could be directly measured by the newly validate Chinese version of obsessive compulsive drug use scale 122 …”

“…Hence, combining CBT with atVNS could be useful in preventing relapses and the efficacy of such combination could be directly measured by the newly validate Chinese version of obsessive compulsive drug use scale. 122 In sum, atVNS is a safe, feasible and compatible tool, which can be regarded as an optimal non-invasive electroceutical to boost affective and cognitive outcomes to overcome the effects of opioid withdrawal. Further, newly developed atVNS devices come with user-friendly APPs by means of which duration, current intensity and stimulation frequency can be customized in order to tailor treatments for individual opioid users within the framework of precision medicine.…”