Morbidity and mortality in opioid dependent patients after entering an opioid pharmacotherapy compared with a cohort of non-dependent controls

J Public Health (Oxf). 2018 Jun 1;40(2):409-414. doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdx063.

Abstract

Aims: To compare morbidity and mortality in opioid dependence patients following the commencement of treatment with the general population.

Methods: Morbidity and mortality in all patients treated with methadone, buprenorphine or implant naltrexone for opioid dependence for the first time between 2001 and 2010 in Western Australia was compared to a cohort of age and gender matched controls using state health records.

Results: Compared to community controls rates of all-cause mortality, hospital admissions and Emergency Department attendances are significantly elevated in opioid dependent persons following the commencement of their first treatment. Not surprisingly, rates of opioid and non-opioid drug poisoning, and intentional self-harm/suicide mortality and hospital admissions were significantly elevated in opioid dependent patients compared with non-dependent controls. However, significant increases in mortality and hospital admissions for conditions which are not generally associated with opioid use were also identified including cardiovascular, respiratory and traffic accidents. Life-time prevalence of both HBV and HCV were significantly elevated in opioid dependent patients compared with non-dependent patients.

Conclusions: Even after the commencement of treatment, opioid dependent patients are at a high risk of morbidity and mortality compared with non-dependent age and gender matched controls.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Opiate Substitution Treatment* / adverse effects
  • Opiate Substitution Treatment* / mortality
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / complications*
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / mortality
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / therapy
  • Sex Factors
  • Western Australia
  • Young Adult