Providing Buprenorphine treatment in HIV care settings: Self-reported outcomes at 30 days

Background: Office-based buprenorphine treatment for opioid addiction may facilitate integration of HIV and addiction care. Integrated care may be of particular benefit to HIV+ patients given their often complex medical and psychosocial treatment needs. Methods: We analyzed baseline and 30-day interview data collected from the ten programs participating in the HRSA/SPNS funded demonstration project integrating buprenorphine treatment into HIV care (BHIVES Collaborative). Data included patient sociodemographics, and standard measures of self-reported general health, depression, anxiety, and drug and alcohol use (e.g. SF-12, ASI). Analyses compared perceptions and behaviors reported for the 30 days prior to enrollment with the 30 days following enrollment using paired t and chi square tests. Results: Of the 85 patients for whom baseline and 30-day interview data were available, most were over age 40 (86%), and unemployed (71%). At the baseline interview, 70% had been diagnosed with HIV for 10 or more years. Mean years using heroin was 18.7. Significantly fewer patients reported prior month heroin use at the 30-day interview as compared to baseline (42% vs. 78%, p<.001). There were also significant improvements in drug use overall (p<.001), depression (p<.01), and general physical (p<.01) and mental health (p<.04). No significant changes were noted in alcohol use or anxiety. Discussion: Preliminary outcomes suggest that buprenorphine treatment provided in HIV care settings results in reduced drug use and depression and improved general health. These and other outcome measures will be examined over longer time periods to better understand the impact of buprenorphine treatment in this patient population.