Patients in long-term maintenance therapy for drug use in Italy: analysis of some parameters of social integration and serological status for infectious diseases in a cohort of 1091 patients

Abstract

Background: Heroin addiction often severely disrupts normal social functioning. The aims of this multi-centre study of heroin users in long-term replacement treatment were: i) to provide information on aspects of social condition such as employment, educational background, living status, partner status and any history of drug addiction for partners, comparing these data with that of the general population; ii) to assess the prevalence of hepatitis, syphilis and HIV, because serological status could be a reflection of the social conditions of patients undergoing replacement treatment for drug addiction; iii) to analyse possible relationships between social conditions and serological status.

Treating chronic hepatitis C in recovering opiate addicts: yes, we can

“…In 2006, 10,000 opiate-dependant patients received treatment for addiction in over 500 SerTs nationwide. Both methadone and buprenorphine are approved drugs for pharmacotherapy of addiction, although methadone is prescribed in over 80% of cases [11], and each regional government oversees policy on dispensation and dosing schedules. Few studies have investigated the efficacy of regional SerTs regarding retention in treatment and relapse to drug use; however, a recent survey of 115 SerTs reported that in 80% of clinics, the average dose of methadone for maintenance treatment was < 60 mg/day, lower than that recommended by international guidelines.…”

“…[5,11] There is convincing evidence provided by Sylvestre and colleagues that when antiviral treatment is managed in cooperation with the staff of a methadone (or buprenorphine) maintenance program, compliance is maximized and outcome is comparable to that of non-opiate-maintained HCV patients. [14]…”

Bloodborne Viral Hepatitis Infections among Drug Users: The Role of Vaccination

“…In Europe, from 20% to 60% of IDUs are seropositive for HBV. The prevalence of HBV infection among DUs attending a methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in Geneva was much greater among older DUs (80.5%) than younger ones (20.1%) [ 5 , 28 , 29 ]. The seroconversion rate for HBV in a cohort of IDUs enrolled in a syringe exchange program in Malmo was 11.7% per year (compare with no seroconversion among those with HIV) [ 30 ].…”

Buprenorphine in Maintenance Treatment: Experience among Italian Physicians in Drug Addiction Centers

“…16 PCDUs provide a comprehensive range of services: counseling, treatment for drug withdrawal, short-term detoxification, agonist maintenance treatment, selection for therapeutic communities, psychotherapy, antihepatitis vaccination, and laboratory testing among other services. Most of the patients in PCDUs are seeking treatment for heroin dependence, although the PCDUs also provide services for cocaine dependence and alcohol dependence.…”