[Characteristics of subjects under opiate maintenance treatment in primary care using the OPEMA data 2013]

The objective of the study is to describe the characteristics of subjects under opiate maintenance treatment by general practionners (GPs).

Data analysis from observatory for pharmacodependency in ambulatory medicine survey (observation des pharmacodépendances en médecine ambulatoire [OPEMA]) program in 2013 of the subjects under high dosage buprenorphine (HDB) and methadone prescribed or obtained illegally reported by GPs in France.

Survey concerned consumers with 862, 433 and 429 of high dosage buprenorphine and respectively methadone. The average age is 39±9 years respectively, and 36±8 years; over 70% are male; 55% have paid employment and over 30% report social benefits; 9% are in temporary housing. In both groups, more than 50% have anxiety and depression; over 25% have associated somatic disorders and digestive diseases, respiratory, pain is the most common. Almost 99% use oral route; nearly 100% have a daily consumption and about 20% of the alcohol concomitantly; 24% of HDB use benzodiazepines and 18% of the methadone group (P=0.06); 33% of the population using methadone consume illicit psychoactive substances and 21% for HDB population (P<0.0001), in particular cannabis (P<0.0001). Heroin and cocaine are also consumed.

The population consuming opiate maintenance treatments shows social, somatic and psychiatric vulnerability. Misuse associated forms and consumption of other psychoactive substances and illegal drugs are observed. Despite the complexity of management of these patients, general practitioners have a major role to play.