Sex Differences in Comorbid Mental and Substance Use Disorders Among Primary Care Patients With Opioid Use Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The authors sought to characterize the 3-year prevalence of mental disorders and nonnicotine substance use disorders among male and female primary care patients with documented opioid use disorder across large U.S. health systems. METHODS: This retrospective study used 2014-2016 data from patients ages ≥16 years in six health systems. Diagnoses were obtained from electronic health records or claims data; opioid use disorder treatment with buprenorphine or injectable extended-release naltrexone was determined through prescription and procedure data. Adjusted prevalence of comorbid conditions among patients with opioid use disorder (with or without treatment), stratified by sex, was estimated by fitting logistic regression models for each condition and applying marginal standardization. RESULTS: Females (53.2%, N=7,431) and males (46.8%, N=6,548) had a similar prevalence of opioid use disorder. Comorbid mental disorders among those with opioid use disorder were more prevalent among females (86.4% vs. 74.3%, respectively), whereas comorbid other substance use disorders (excluding nicotine) were more common among males (51.9% vs. 60.9%, respectively). These differences held for those receiving medication treatment for opioid use disorder, with mental disorders being more common among treated females (83% vs. 71%) and other substance use disorders more common among treated males (68% vs. 63%). Among patients with a single mental health condition comorbid with opioid use disorder, females were less likely than males to receive medication treatment for opioid use disorder (15% vs. 20%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of comorbid conditions among patients with opioid use disorder indicates a strong need to supply primary care providers with adequate resources for integrated opioid use disorder treatment.

Readiness and barriers to adopt evidence-based practices for substance abuse treatment in Mexico / Disponibilidad y barreras a la adopción de prácticas basadas en la evidencia para el tratamiento del uso de sustancias en México

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Evidence shows a lag in adoption of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for substance abuse treatment and supports the need for studying the factors involved in this worldwide problem. Objective: This study aimed to assess the readiness and barriers to adopt EBPs for substance abuse in a sample of outpatient treatment centers of a newly created Mexican Clinical Trials Network. Method: An online survey was administered to directors (n = 8) and clinicians (n = 40) from seven outpatient treatment centers in Mexico. Questions were obtained from two surveys that had been implemented in the US to assess the same objectives. Results: Respondents reported being more ready to adopt Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT, 83.3%) and Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET, 79.1%), compared to 12 step facilitation (58.3%), couples therapy (56.2%), Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT, 66.6%), and motivational incentives (60.4%). Directors had lower mean resistance to EBPs (11.8 vs. 17.4; p = 0.01) than clinicians. The biggest barriers identified by directors to EBP adoption were not having enough clinical staff, being unable to afford well-trained staff, not enough psychiatric and medical support. Discussion and conclusion: CBT and MET emerged as the most frequently used evidence based practices in the sites that are part of the Mexican Clinical Trials Network. Staff positive attitudes towards EBPs are critical for adoption.

RESUMEN: Introducción: La literatura demuestra una demora en la adopción de las practicas basadas en la evidencia (PBEs) para el tratamiento del abuso de sustancias y apoya la necesidad de estudiar los factores involucrados en este problema mundial. Objetivo: Este estudio evaluó la disponiblildad y las barreras de la adopción de PBE para el abuso de sustancias en una muestra de centros pertenencientes a la nueva Red Mexicana de Ensayos Clinicos. Método: Se administró una encuesta online a directores (n = 8) y a clinicos (n = 40) de siete centros de tratamiento ambulatorio para el tratamiento de las adicciones en México. Las preguntas se obtuvieron de dos encuestas que se administraron en los Estados Unidos con los mismos objetivos. Resultados: Los encuestados reportaron estar más dispuestos a la adopción de la Terapia Cognitivo Conductual (CBT,83.3%) y Terapia de Incremento Motivacional (MET, 79.1%),comparado con la facilitación de los 12 pasos (58.3%),terapia de pareja (56.2%), Terapia Familiar Breve y Estratégica (BSFT, 66.6%),e incentivos para la motivación (60.4%). Los directores tuvieron menor promedio de Resistencia a las PBEs (11.8 vs. 17.4; p = 0.01) que los clinicos. Las principales barreras identificadas por los directores fueron no tener suficiente personal clínico, no poder costear personal altamente entrenado, apoyo psiquiátrico y médico insuficiente. Discusión y conclusión: La CBT y la MET emergieron como las PBEs usadas con mayor frecuencia en centros que son parte de la Red Mexicana de Ensayos Clínicos. Las actitudes positivas del personal hacia las PBEs son críticas para la adopción.