Background Methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) is among the most effective treatment modalities available for the management of opioid use disorder. However, the effect of MMT on mortality, and optimal strategies for delivering methadone are less clear. This study sought to estimate the effect of low-threshold MMT and its association with all-cause mortality among persons who inject drugs (PWID) in a setting where methadone is widely available through primary care physicians and community pharmacies at no cost through the setting’s universal medical insurance plan. Methods Between May, 1996 and December, 2011 data were collected as part of two prospective cohort studies of PWID in Vancouver, Canada, and were linked to the provincial vital statistics database to ascertain rates and causes of death. The association of MMT with all-cause mortality was estimated using multivariable extended Cox regression with timedependent variables. Results Of 2335 PWID providing 15027 person-years of observation, 511 deaths were observed for a mortality rate of 3.4 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 3.1 – 3.7) deaths per 100 person-years. After adjusting for potential confounders including age and HIV seropositivity, MMT enrolment was found to be associated with lower mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.61 – 0.88). Conclusions While observed all-cause mortality rates among PWID in this setting were high, participation in low-threshold MMT was significantly associated with improved survival. These findings add to the known benefits of providing low-threshold MMT on reducing the harms associated with injection drug use.
Background and Aims For HIV-positive individuals who use illicit opioids, engagement in methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) can contribute to improved HIV treatment outcomes. However, to our knowledge, the role of methadone dosing in adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) has not yet been investigated. We sought to examine the relationship between methadone dose and ART adherence among a cohort of persons who use illicit opioids. Design and Setting We used data from the ACCESS study, an ongoing prospective observational cohort of HIV-positive persons who use illicit drugs in Vancouver, Canada, confidentially linked to comprehensive HIV treatment data in a setting of universal no-cost medical care including medications. We evaluated the longitudinal relationship between methadone dose and the likelihood of ≥ 95% adherence to ART among ART-exposed participants during periods of engagement in MMT. Participants 297 ART-exposed individuals on MMT were recruited between December 2005 and May 2013 and followed for a median of 42.1 months. Measurements We measured methadone dose at ≥ 100 vs < 100 mg/day and the likelihood of ≥ 95% adherence to ART. Findings In adjusted generalized estimating equation (GEE) analyses, MMT dose ≥ 100 mg/day was independently associated with optimal adherence to ART (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.38; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08 – 1.77, p = 0.010). In a sub-analysis, we observed a dose-response relationship between increasing MMT dose and ART adherence (AOR = 1.06 per 20 mg/day increase, 95% CI: 1.00 – 1.12, p = 0.041). Conclusion Among HIV-positive individuals in methadone maintenance therapy, those receiving higher doses of methadone (≥ 100 mg/day) are more likely to achieve ≥ 95% adherence to antiretroviral therapy than those receiving lower doses.
BackgroundIn 2016, a public health emergency was declared in British Columbia due to an unprecedented number of illicit drug overdose deaths. Injection drug use was implicated in approximately one third of overdose deaths. An innovative delivery model using mobile supervised consumption services (SCS) was piloted in a rural health authority in BC with the goals of preventing overdose deaths, reducing public drug use, and connecting clients to health services.MethodsTwo mobile SCS created from retrofitted recreational vehicles were used to serve the populations of two mid-sized cities: Kelowna and Kamloops. Service utilization was tracked, and surveys and interviews were completed to capture clients’, service providers’, and community stakeholders’ attitudes towards the mobile SCS.ResultsOver 90% of surveyed clients reported positive experiences in terms of access to services and physical safety of the mobile SCS. However, hours of operation met the needs of less than half of clients. Service providers were generally dissatisfied with the size of the space on the mobile SCS, noting constraints in the ability to respond to overdose events and meaningfully engage with clients in private conversations. Additional challenges included frequent operational interruptions as well as poor temperature control inside the mobile units. Winter weather conditions resulted in cancelled shifts and disrupted services. Among community members, there was variable support of the mobile SCS.ConclusionsOverall, the mobile SCS were a viable alternative to a permanent site but presented many challenges that undermined the continuity and quality of the service. A mobile site may be best suited to temporarily provide services while bridging towards a permanent location. A needs assessment should guide the stop locations, hours of operation, and scope of services provided. Finally, the importance of community engagement for successful implementation should not be overlooked.
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