1
|
Wang L, Qin Y, Li X, Li X, Liu Y, Li W, Wang Y. Glymphatic-System Function Is Associated with Addiction and Relapse in Heroin Dependents Undergoing Methadone Maintenance Treatment. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1292. [PMID: 37759893 PMCID: PMC10526898 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13091292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) on the brain glymphatic system (GS) in opioid addiction in China. A total of 51 male MMT patients, 48 demographically matched healthy controls (HCs), and 20 heroin dependents (HDs) were recruited for this study. The GS functioning was assessed using diffusion-tensor-imaging analysis along perivascular spaces (DTI-ALPS index) and the bilateral ALPS divergency (DivALPS). Group differences were analyzed utilizing ANOVA and two-sample t-tests. The relationship between DivALPS and relapse rate was explored using regression analysis. The DTI-ALPS index was significantly higher for the left-side brain than the right side in all three groups. There was a significant difference for the right side (p = 0.0098) between the groups. The MMT and HD groups showed significantly higher DTI-ALPS than the HC group (p = 0.018 and 0.016, respectively). The DivALPS varied significantly among the three groups (p = 0.04), with the HD group showing the lowest and the HC group the highest values. Significant negative relationships were found between relapse count, DivALPS (p < 0.0001, Exp(B) = 0.6047), and age (p < 0.0001, Exp(B) = 0.9142). The findings suggest that MMT may contribute to promoting brain GS recovery in heroin addicts, and modulation of the GS may serve as a potential biomarker for relapse risk, providing insights into novel therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China; (L.W.); (Y.Q.)
- Department of Radiology, Xi’an Daxing Hospital, Xi’an 710016, China
| | - Yue Qin
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China; (L.W.); (Y.Q.)
- Department of Radiology, Xi’an Daxing Hospital, Xi’an 710016, China
| | - Xiaoshi Li
- Department of Radiology, Xi’an Daxing Hospital, Xi’an 710016, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Radiology, Xi’an Daxing Hospital, Xi’an 710016, China
| | - Yuwei Liu
- Department of Medical Imaging, People’s Hospital of Tongchuan City, Tongchuan 727000, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Radiology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an 710038, China
| | - Yarong Wang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China; (L.W.); (Y.Q.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen Z, Tang X, Xu C, Wang C, Ling L. Exploring factors jointly associated with recurrent relapse and dropout of methadone maintenance treatment clients in Guangdong, China: A retrospective cohort study. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 243:109739. [PMID: 36535097 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clients receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) may experience multiple relapses, which may lead to dropout. However, previous studies mostly only explored the influencing factors of relapse or dropout separately. In this study, we investigated the influencing factors jointly associated with both recurrent relapse and dropout. METHODS This study was conducted in 16 MMT clinics in Guangdong, China. Data on the clients' demographic characteristics; drug-related behavior; HIV, HCV, and urine morphine test results; and daily methadone doses were collected. The outcomes were time to recurrent relapse and time to dropout. A joint frailty model was used to explore factors jointly associated with recurrent relapse and dropout. The hazard ratios (HRs) of the covariates in the multivariable model were adjusted, with HR > 1 indicating a faster time to recurrent relapse and dropout. RESULTS Among 1539 clients, 39.5% had ≥ 2 relapse events, and 90.8% of the clients dropped out. A high attendance rate was protective for recurrent relapse (HR50-80%=0.63, 95% CI: 0.51, 0.79; HR>80%=0.35, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.44) and dropout (HR50-80%=0.56, 95% CI: 0.47, 0.68; HR>80%=0.27, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.33). Being married (HR=0.80, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.96), having a fair relationship with family (HR=0.79, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.93) and drug injection (HR=0.80, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.96) were also protective for recurrent relapse. Female (HR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.50, 0.82) and a high methadone dose (≥60 ml/day; HR=0.79, 95% CI: 0.65, 0.96) were protective for dropout, and a longer traveling time to the clinic (>60 min; HR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.20, 2.10) was associated with an increased risk of dropout. CONCLUSIONS It is common for clients to experience recurrent relapse and dropout. The findings suggest that MMT clinics should provide holistic interventions and appropriate methadone doses for clients to improve treatment compliance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zouxiang Chen
- Department of Medical Statistics, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120 , PR China
| | - Xijia Tang
- Department of Medical Statistics, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120 , PR China
| | - Chaofan Xu
- Department of Medical Statistics, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120 , PR China
| | - Chijie Wang
- Department of Medical Statistics, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120 , PR China
| | - Li Ling
- Department of Medical Statistics, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120 , PR China; Clinical Research Design Division, Clinical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang J, Giummarra MJ. Compulsory and voluntary drug treatment models in China: A need for improved evidence-based policy and practice to reduce the loaded burden of substance use disorders. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2020; 92:103063. [PMID: 33303344 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.103063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In China, the majority of people who use drugs (PWUD) identified by authorities are admitted to compulsory isolated detoxification centers in which their treatment is administered by administrative and judicial systems that restrict their freedom. China's compulsory isolated detoxification centers have been criticized as an abuse of human rights. The two other primary models of drug treatment in China include community-based treatment and medically-oriented voluntary treatment. This article presents an overview of the three primary treatment models for PWUD currently practiced in China. The existing compulsory and voluntary treatment models predominantly operate separately from each other, and lack evidence-based guidelines. A drug treatment system that embraces social support, psychosocial interventions and well-qualified health-based workforce is currently lacking. We propose that China needs to employ a localized model that is composed of well-facilitated and evidence-based treatment methods for both compulsory and voluntary treatment for PWUD to reduce the burden of illicit drug use. The implementation of these models of care, however, need to be tailored to the country's historical background, large population of PWUD and cultural settings in order to succeed. Urgent changes in drug treatment policies and practices are needed by the Chinese governments at different levels, organizations and front-line practitioners if we are to see a reduction in the incidence and impact of harms related to substance use in China.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- Director of Shenzhen Bohou Social Work Service Center, China.
| | - Melita J Giummarra
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Caulfield Pain Management and Research Centre, Caulfield Hospital, Caulfield, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ramlan AR, Mohamed Nazar NI, Tumian A, Ab Rahman NS, Mohamad D, Abdul Talib MS, Zakaria KFM, Izuddin MA, Zainal Abidin NA, T Syed Manso SS, Wan Hassan WNK. Time to Treatment Initiation and Retrospective Analysis of Antiretroviral Therapy Outcomes among HIV-positive Methadone Maintenance Therapy Clients in Primary Health-care Centers, Kuantan, Pahang. J Pharm Bioallied Sci 2020; 12:S810-S815. [PMID: 33828381 PMCID: PMC8021067 DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_3_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) program helped to improve access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people who inject drugs (PWID) with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, the time to treatment initiation (TTI) and outcomes of ART intervention in this population have scarcely been analyzed. Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the TTI and outcomes of ART among MMT clients in primary health-care centers in Kuantan, Pahang. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective evaluation of MMT clients from 2006 to 2019. The TTI was calculated from the day of MMT enrolment to ART initiation. The trends of CD4 counts and viral loads were descriptively evaluated. Cox proportional hazard model was used to analyze the survival and treatment retention rate. Results: A total of 67 MMT clients from six primary health-care centers were HIV-positive, of which 37 clients were started on ART. The mean TTI of ART was 27 months. The clients who were given ART had a mean CD4 count of 119 cells/mm3 at baseline and increased to 219 cells/mm3 after 6 months of ART. Only two patients (5.4%) in the ART subgroup had an unsuppressed viral load. The initiation of ART had reduced the risk of death by 72.8% (hazard ratio = 0.27, P = 0.024), and they are 13.1 times more likely to remain in treatment (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The TTI of ART was delayed in this population. MMT clients who were given ART have better CD4 and viral load outcomes, helped reduced death risk and showed higher retention rates in MMT program.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aida Roziana Ramlan
- Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.,Department of Pharmacy, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
| | | | - Afidalina Tumian
- Kulliyyah of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | - Dzawani Mohamad
- Medical Department, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article reviews the role of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clinics in minimizing the harms caused by opioid dependence, as well as China's current challenges in this area. In addition, we aim to discuss the treatment strategies for opioid dependence within the international community in the current global situation of serious abuse of opioids. RECENT FINDINGS Like other countries facing the opioid crisis, China is actively working on revising policy, improving the addiction treatment system and promotion of MMT clinics to cope with the risks of opioid abuse. As they provide one of the most effective opioid agonist treatments for opioid dependence, MMT clinics play an extremely important role in this campaign. The MMT programme in China has had a significant beneficial effect on reduction of opioid use and the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS. SUMMARY The efficacy of MMT for patients with opioid dependence in China is confirmed by the present review. However, several important challenges still need to be resolved. China's treatment experience also provides a reference for other countries facing the danger of opioid dependence.
Collapse
|
6
|
Luo S, Lin C, Feng N, Wu Z, Li L. Stigma towards people who use drugs: A case vignette study in methadone maintenance treatment clinics in China. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 71:73-77. [PMID: 31233972 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drug use stigma among service providers has been recognized as a barrier to improving the accessibility and outcomes of addiction treatment. This study examined the stigmatizing attitudes towards people who use drugs (PWUD) among service providers in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clinics in China and its associated factors. METHODS The cross-sectional study used the baseline data of a randomized intervention trial conducted in China, and the data were collected from January 2012 to August 2013. A total of 418 MMT service providers were included in the study. Stigma towards PWUD was measured via a 10-item scale embedded in two case vignettes (PWUD and non-PWUD). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed to evaluate the vignette difference for each item of the scale. The linear mixed model was used to identify the adjusted association between drug use stigma and other interested variables including demographics, professional background, and MMT knowledge of the service providers. RESULTS The Wilcoxon signed-rank tests showed that the participants had a higher level of stigmatizing attitudes towards PWUD than non-PWUD (p-value<0.001 for all items of the stigma scale). The linear mixed model identified that the reception of national MMT training was associated with a lower degree of drug use stigma (estimate=-1.79; 95% CI: -3.13, -0.45; p-value = 0.009). CONCLUSION The findings of the study provide evidence of the existence of drug use stigma among MMT providers in China. The expansion of national-level training and the development of stigma reduction interventions are needed to address this issue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sitong Luo
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Center for Community Health, University of California, Los Angeles, 10920 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 350, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
| | - Chunqing Lin
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Center for Community Health, University of California, Los Angeles, 10920 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 350, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
| | - Nan Feng
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Center for Community Health, University of California, Los Angeles, 10920 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 350, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
| | - Zunyou Wu
- National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 155 Changbai Road, Changping District, Beijing, 102206, China.
| | - Li Li
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Center for Community Health, University of California, Los Angeles, 10920 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 350, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
| |
Collapse
|