Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with reduced quality of life among methadone patients

R Senbanjo, K Wolff, J Marshall

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

60 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aim To evaluate the impact of excessive alcohol consumption on the health-related quality of life of patients receiving methadone treatment for opioid dependence. Design A cross-sectional survey. Participants One hundred and ninety-two patients attending out-patient methadone clinics in the south-cast of England, United Kingdom. Measurements Quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study: General Health Survey, Short Form (SF-12). Alcohol consumption was assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Findings Approximately one-third of the sample (57/192) were AUDIT-positive (score : 8) and 20 of the 135 AUDIT negative patients reported past history of alcohol problems. AUDIT-positive patients were less satisfied with their methadone dose than AUDIT-negative patients (P = 0.002), despite having a higher dose. AUDIT-positive patients reported more physical (P = 0.020) and psychological (P = 0.034) health problems and poorer QoL (P = 0.008) with an estimated effect size of 0.46. Lower QoL scores for AUDIT positive patients affected both 'physical' (P = 0.009) and 'psychological' (P = 0.012) health domains with poor role functioning ('role limitation' due to physical health. P <0.001. and to emotional health, P = 0.009), social functioning (P = 0.015) and self-perceived general health (P = 0.029). Conclusion Excessive alcohol consumption may be associated with a distinctive pattern of OoL impairment in methadone patients. In addition to advising methadone patients regarding their alcohol consumption, comprehensive care plans should seek to restore normal personal, family and social role functioning through the provision of appropriate health and social care
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)257 - 263
Number of pages7
JournalAddiction
Volume102
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2007

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