170 likes | 293 Vues
This study investigates the mortality rates in opioid-dependent patients before, during, and after opioid maintenance treatment (OMT). Conducted over 7 years with 3,789 participants in Norway, the research compares data from national registries. The results show that OMT significantly decreases mortality, addressing deaths due to overdose and other causes. The findings hold implications for patient management, suggesting that OMT can be effective in reducing the risks associated with opioid dependence.
E N D
Journal Club Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Health: Current Evidence April 2008 www.aodhealth.org
Featured Article Mortality prior to, during and after opioid maintenance treatment (OMT): a national prospective cross-registry study Clausen T, et al. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2008;94(1-3):151-157. www.aodhealth.org
Study Objective • To assess differences in mortality rates prior to, during, and after opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) in opioid-dependent patients • To evaluate changes in mortality rates using an “intention-to-treat” perspective • To examine the distribution of deaths attributable to drug overdose versus other causes www.aodhealth.org
Study Design • In this prospective cohort study, Norwegian researchers followed 3789 persons with opioid dependence over 7 years. • Data were gathered and cross-linked from 2 national registries: • opioid dependent registry • death registry • Subgroup data from the opioid dependent registry (persons on a waiting list for OMT, receiving OMT,* or who had discontinued OMT) were compared with death registry data. *predominantly methadone www.aodhealth.org
Assessing Validity of an Article about Prognosis • Are the results valid? • What are the results? • How can I apply the results to patient care? www.aodhealth.org
Are the Results Valid? • Was the sample representative? • Were the subjects sufficiently homogeneous with respect to prognostic risk? • Was follow-up sufficiently complete? • Were objective and unbiased outcome criteria used? www.aodhealth.org
Was the sample representative? All subjects in this study were… • severely addicted to heroin. • had several years of addiction dominated by opioid dependence. • had not benefited from other types of treatment. www.aodhealth.org
Were the subjects sufficiently homogeneous with respect to prognostic risk? • The sample was divided into 3 groups: • Pretreatment (applicants qualifying for OMT but not yet receiving treatment, referred to as “waiting list”) • In treatment (receiving OMT) • Posttreatment (after termination of OMT) • Female subjects constituted 31.9% of the sample. • Ages ranged from 23 to 66 years. • No information was presented on prognostic risk for death (e.g., comorbid medical/psychiatric conditions) or overdose. www.aodhealth.org
Was follow-up sufficiently complete? • The follow-up period ranged from 0 to 7 years. www.aodhealth.org
Were objective and unbiased outcome criteria used? • Mortality was determined via a death registry. • The potential for bias existed in that... • overdose death was determined according to coroner records. • autopsy was performed in one-third of cases triggered by reasons not stated in the research report. www.aodhealth.org
What Are the Results? • How likely are the outcomes over time? • How precise are the estimates of likelihood? www.aodhealth.org
How likely are the outcomes over time? Mortality Rates per 100 Person-Years (CI) www.aodhealth.org
How precise are the estimates of likelihood? • The confidence intervals were narrow. www.aodhealth.org
How Can I Apply the Resultsto Patient Care? • Were the study patients and their management similar to those in my practice? • Was follow-up sufficiently long? • Can I use the results in the management of patients in my practice? www.aodhealth.org
Were the study patients similar to those in my practice? • The inclusion criteria were broad. • The demographics of this Norwegian study were similar to those of patients with opioid dependence in the United States. www.aodhealth.org
Was follow-up sufficiently long? • Yes. The follow-up period ranged from 0 to 7 years. • The median (SD) number of days of follow-up time was… • pretreatment: 169 (359) • in treatment: 614 (532) • posttreatment:349 (392) www.aodhealth.org
Can I use the results in the management of patients in my practice? • Yes. The essential finding was that OMT decreased mortality in patients with opioid dependence. www.aodhealth.org