Nurse-Led Physical Screening of Patients With Substance Use Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Addiction Medicine
• Public Health
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Somatic comorbidity significantly reduces life expectancy in patients with substance use disorders (SUDs).
• Addressing physical health challenges is critical for improving outcomes in SUD patient populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the somatic health challenges faced by patients with SUDs.
• To assess patient self-management of somatic health and overall quality of life.

Main Methods:

• A stratified random sample of 136 patients from a specialist addiction facility was assessed using the Utrecht Somatic Screening 2.0 (USS 2.0).
• The study included patients undergoing Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (FACT), Heroin-Assisted Treatment (HAT), and Opioid Replacement Therapy (ORT).
• Data on pain, self-management, quality of life, and lifestyle behaviors were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of somatic health problems, including pain, exhaustion, cardiovascular disease (25%), COPD (20%), underweight, and poor oral health, was observed.
• Tobacco smoking was highly prevalent (88%), and 50% of patients expressed a need for support in managing their physical health.
• Significant lifestyle behaviors negatively impacting health were identified.

Conclusions:

• Patients with SUDs exhibit poor physical health and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors.
• Somatic healthcare and lifestyle promotion strategies must be individualized to patient characteristics.
• Tailored somatic health interventions are essential for this patient group.