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Relations among psychopathology, substance use, and physical pain experiences in methadone-maintained patients
Declan T Barry1, Mark Beitel, Brian Garnet
1Yale University School of Medicine, CMHC/SAC Room 220, 34 Park St., New Haven, CT 06519-1187, USA. declan.barry @yale.edu
Objective:
Differences in psychiatric distress and substance use (licit and illicit) were examined in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) patients with a variety of pain experiences.
Method:
Parametric and nonparametric statistical tests were performed on data obtained from 150 patients currently enrolled in MMT. Assessments were carried out at the 3 opioid agonist treatment programs operated by the APT Foundation, New Haven, Connecticut. Participants were recruited between March 2007 and March 2008.
Results:
In comparison to MMT patients reporting no pain in the previous week, those with chronic severe pain (CSP) (ie, pain lasting at least 6 months with moderate to severe pain intensity or significant pain interference) exhibited significantly higher (P < .01) levels of depression, anxiety, somatization, overall psychiatric distress, and personality disorder criteria but reported comparable rates of substance use. A third group, ie, non-CSP MMT patients reporting some pain in the past week, differed significantly (P < .05) from the other 2 pain groups on somatization and global psychiatric distress but reported comparable rates of substance use.
Conclusions:
Pain-related differences in psychiatric problems exist in MMT patients and may have implications for program planning and outreach efforts.
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