Changes in characteristics of HIV heroin dependents throughout a ten year period (1989-1998)

Abstract

Introduction. The Naltrexone Clinic, attached to the Department of Psychiatry, Ramón y Cajal Hospital (Madrid), develops various treatments for the deshabituation of heroin dependents, many of which were HIV positive. The changes caused by the illness were expected to affect the characteristics of the HIV dependent addicts who started treatment. We study the evolution in these patients over the last decade.

Material and method. A retrospective observing study, designed for a group treatment without a control group. We study 396 HIV opiate addicts, attended in the Naltrexone Clinic from 1989-98. Profile evolution was studied comparing two distinct 5 years periods -pre94 and post94. Descriptive parameters, survival techniques and contingency tables were employed (statistical analysis programme SPSS-8).

Results. The post94 addicts statistically had less stability with employment, lower level of education and more legal problems. They had a higher average age at the start of the treatment, a higher consumption of heroin and a more frequent use of the smoking/inhalation (S/I) route. They were less cocaine injectors and more S/I users. They consumed less other opiates, benzodiacepines and alcohol. They had received more previous withdrawal treatments.

Conclusions. There exists a profile evolution in HIV patients who started treatment for their opiate dependence. The post94 addict was older, S/I user, with less employment possibilities and a longer history of consumption, and he had attempted more withdrawal treatment.