HARCP Archives

Browse by article

Browse by volume

Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2020, 22, N1 (pages: 23 - 30)

High prevalence and risks factors for non-communicable diseases in older people with opioid use disorder.

Vallecillo G., Robles M.J., Duran X., Castillo C., Fonseca F., and Torrens M.

Summary: Background: Opioid use disorders populations are aging, and aging is associated to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the general population, however, data in opioid use disorders populations are scare. The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of NCDs and related factors in individuals with opioid use disorder. Methods: Cross-sectional study including patients with heroin use disorder on opioid agonist therapy receiving primary care at a drug addiction outpatient center. Socio-demographic factors associated with the cumulative number of NCDs (according to O'Halloran criteria) were evaluated with Poisson Regression models. Results: Two hundred and eighty-two participants were included in the study. Mean age was 44.9 years and 30.5% were >50 years. Smoking was observed in 79.5% participants, alcohol use in 25.9% and 82.9% were poly-substance users. Chronic viral infections were present in 58.9% of the participants and 24.4% had metabolic syndrome. Overall, 164 (58.2%) participants had >1 NCDs (95% confidence interval: 52.4-63.9). One NCD was present in 95(33.7%) patients, two in 43(15.3%), and more than three in 26(9.2%). Participants were taking a median of 2 (IQR:1-3) chronic medications for the treatment of NCDs, other than opioid substitution therapy. Factors associated with NCDs were: age >50 years (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.96), women (IRR: 1.45), foreigners (IRR: 0.39), and employment (IRR: 0.47). Conclusions: NCDs represent a primary health concern in individuals with opioid use disorder, especially among older and women. Given the high prevalence of risk factors for NCDs, interventions to prevent and treat NCDs are necessary in this population.