A longitudinal study of male buprenorphine addicts attending an addiction clinic in India.

摘要: Aim. There is a lack of longitudinal studies buprenorphine dependence, an important opioid dependence in several countries. We investigated the course and outcome Indian clinic-attending cohort. Design. Retrospective study. Setting. An addiction clinic northern India. Participants. Ninety-four male patients with registered for treatment between 1987 1993. Follow-up analyses were conducted 52 (55% index cohort) who completed more than year follow-up. In 48% these data obtained from their clinical records follow-up, while 52% contacted specifically to obtain required on follow up. Measurement. Baseline demographic variables; time spent various phases use or abstinence; at latest up; transition other drugs during follow-up period. Findings. Over average duration 3 years, 56% was dependent use, 12% non-dependent 32% abstinence. By end 6% dead (annual death rate 1.9%), 33% unchanged 61% classified as 'improved'. The proportion 'improved' increased over years. Patients poor had shorter hospital stay, used pentazocine and/or antihistaminic injections 'cocktail' often those better outcome. Thirty-two shifted notably heroin polydrug use. These 'transition' family history drug often, started career earlier, marital legal complications phase underwent multiple admissions but stayed period faced deaths, when compared did not shift. Conclusion. followed-up although pattern continued long career, there slow progressive improvement. Transition associated worse being stable buprenorphine.