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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2014, 16, 1 (pages: 17 - 24)

Heroin maintenance treatment and immunity: a 12 months follow-up study

Broers B., Roux-Lombard P., Becciolini-Lebas E., Curchod-Fernandez C., and Mino A.

Summary: Background: Comprehensive diacetylmorphine (heroin) prescription programmes for severely dependent opioid users having failed repeatedly in conventional treatment have been available in Switzerland since 1994. Several studies have shown the feasibility, safety and efficacy of such programmes for this specific group. In vitro studies have shown a negative influence on immunity of acute administration of heroin. Methods: We assessed, in a prospective observational study, the change in immunological parameters of 8 HIV-uninfected patients entering a heroin prescription programme in Geneva and followed up at 1, 6 and 12 months. Results: Immunity status at start of treatment and follow-up were within the normal range for most of the patients and there was a tendency towards improvement in immune status after 12 months. Clinical follow-up showed that patients globally improved; there were no hospitalization and few medical consultations for infectious problems in the first 12 months of treatment. Conclusions: There is no reason to suspect a negative impact of pure diacetylmorphine maintenance treatment on immunity status of chronic substance abusers.