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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2019, 21, N6 (pages: 21 - 29)

Adherence, Abstinence and Quality of Life in Patients with Heroin Dependence Receiving Methadone or Buprenorphine-Naloxone Replacement Therapy

Pérez V., Hidalgo M.J., Martínez M., Orozco D., and Girón M.

Summary: Introduction: Buprenorphine-naloxone is an alternative to methadone in patients with heroin dependence. Our study aimed to find differences in abstinence from use, adherence to therapy and quality of life between both treatments. Methods: An observational prospective cohort study was conducted during 12 weeks in 72 patients in one health area. Results: No differences in abstinence rates were found. Methadone patients had greater adherence and, at baseline, worse quality of life levels. There were no differences between treatment groups in the percentage of relative change in health-related quality of life. Conclusion: It is concluded that while adherence was higher in methadone patients, both therapies were equivalent in the degree of abstinence and in their impact on quality of life.