Body Mass Index Trends among a Cohort of Subjects Enrolled in Medication-Assisted Treatment Programmes for Opioid Use...

Opioid use disorder (OUD) and obesity are two pressing public health concerns in the United States (US). However, the relationship between these two epidemics has not been well-studied. Our study aims to describe the prevalence rates of obesity in individuals with OUD from a cohort study and compare that to the expected prevalence that would be observed based upon New Jersey state and US population survey data. Additionally, we sought to study whether Body Mass Index (BMI) distribution in this cohort varied by race/ethnicity, gender, and age.

Our subjects (N=151) are part of a drug user cohort study of persons enrolled in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programmes in New Jersey. Using the New Jersey Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (NJBRFS) and the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), we generated expected BMI distributions based on race/ethnicity, age, and sex. Expected rates were compared to observed BMI. Standardized prevalence ratios were calculated, and 95% confidence intervals were constructed.

Among females, obesity was more prevalent in those with OUD than in the general US population. Among persons ≤50 years old, overweight and obesity were more prevalent in those with OUD than in NJBRFS. Persons who did not inject drugs were more likely to be overweight. The prevalence of underweight was significantly higher among Black non-Hispanic minorities, males, older subjects (aged 66-85), and persons who inject drugs.

In our study, the trends in BMI vary based on race/ethnicity, gender and age in these patients with OUD. These varying trends highlight the need for tailored screening and prevention strategies. Primary care providers should be aware that their patients with OUD have multiple health problems that need to be addressed beyond their OUD condition itself. Providers are in a pivotal role to screen and implement interventions to improve their health outcomes.