Change in self-reported somatic symptoms among patients in opioid maintenance treatment from baseline to 1-year...

Area of Science:

• Addiction Medicine
• Public Health
• Clinical Research

Background:

• High rates of somatic comorbidity are prevalent in patients undergoing treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD).
• Opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) programs are critical for managing OUD but require understanding associated health burdens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate changes in self-reported somatic health conditions and symptoms among patients initiating OMT.
• To identify factors associated with changes in somatic symptom burden over a one-year period.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Norwegian Cohort of Patients in OMT and Other Drug Treatment (NorComt) study.
• Included 176 patients from an initial cohort of 283 who entered OMT, analyzed at a 1-year follow-up.
• Employed multivariable linear regression to analyze self-reported somatic conditions, symptoms, substance use, and mental distress.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of somatic conditions (e.g., hepatitis C, asthma, hypertension) was reported at baseline.
• No significant overall change in somatic symptom burden was observed from baseline to 1-year follow-up.
• Patients with a higher somatic symptom burden at baseline experienced the greatest improvement; higher baseline somatic conditions and mental distress predicted symptom improvement.

Conclusions:

• Patients in OMT experience a wide spectrum of somatic conditions and symptoms, often with high intensity.
• Healthcare providers must consider the significant somatic healthcare needs of individuals in OMT programs.
• Targeted interventions may be beneficial for patients with high baseline somatic symptom burden and mental distress.