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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2017, 19, N6 (pages: 49 - 56)

Completion of Opioid Agonist Treatment – an Observational Prospective Study

Verthein U., Götzke C., Strada L., and Reimer J.

Summary: Background: Studies on the process of regular completion of opioid agonist treatment (OAT) are scarce. Little is known about the patients aiming to terminate OAT, their current life circumstances, and factors associated with successful completion. In the present naturalistic prospective study, we monitor the process of OAT termination and aim to identify factors associated with the successful completion of OAT. Methods: The patients recruited to this study came from primary care settings and specialized clinics, and were likely to complete OAT within the next year according to the medical assessment of physicians. Patients filled out questionnaires every 3 months over a 12-month period and at 6-month follow-up. Simultaneously, physicians documented the process of OAT treatment and patients' health. Results: Out of 972 OAT patients in seven participating clinics, 97 patients met the eligibility criteria, of which 78 agreed to participate in the study (8.0% of the total population of OAT patients). Eight patients (10.3%) successfully completed OAT during the 12-month study period, 12 patients (15.4%) dropped out prematurely, and 74.4% stayed in OAT. No prognostic factors for OAT completion could be identified. Conclusion: Only a few patients are considered eligible for OAT completion and a very low number of patients successfully complete treatment. Prognostic factors for OAT completion remain largely unidentified, which underlines the complexity of this issue. Further research on this issue with larger samples and longer observation periods is urgently needed.