Association between hepatitis C virus and opioid use while in buprenorphine treatment: preliminary findings

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of hepatitis-C-virus (HCV) infections is high among opioid-dependent individuals. Prior research on the simultaneous treatment of both conditions has primarily assessed success as it pertains to HCV. However, it has been noted that favorable substance use therapy outcomes may improve the likelihood of HCV-treatment initiation and success. Therefore, current guidelines for the treatment of HCV among illicit drug users suggest that treatment for addiction be given the highest priority. Objectives: To determine whether opioid-dependent participants in a clinical trial of buprenorphine-treatment tapering regimens, who tested positive for the HCV antibody, experienced significantly different levels of opioid abstinence than those not infected. Methods: Data came from the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trial Network study 0003. 516 eligible opioid-dependent participants were randomized to either a 7-day or 28-day buprenorphine tapering schedule following a 4-week buprenorphine stabilization period. Generalized estimating equations were used to test the research question. Results: Participants with the HCV antibody were significantly less likely to submit opioid-negative urine analyses during and/or immediately following active treatment [OR = 0.69; CI = 0.51–0.93], indicating a higher rate of opioid use among this group. Conclusion: Individualized opioid-dependence treatment strategies may be required for opioid-dependent individuals who test positive for the HCV antibody in order to ensure resources for both opioid-dependence and HCV therapies are used efficiently.

• Buprenorphine
• hepatitis C
• Opioid dependence

Acknowledgements

This project was supported by grants from the Life Science Discovery Fund (Roll, PI) and a grant to the Clinical Trials network Pacific Northwest Node (award number 5 U10 DA013714-10) from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA; [Donovan and Roll, Co-PIs]).

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.