Different characteristics but comparable hypertension rates between two MMT "twin" clinics.

Background: Patients in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) may develop age-related medical problems. Objective: To compare hypertension prevalence and its risk factors between two MMT clinics, having similar treatment guidelines, but different characteristics, one from Tel Aviv (TA) and one from Las Vegas (LV).

Methods: Prevalence of hypertension (systolic ≥140 and or diastolic ≥90 mmHg BP) among all current 291 MMT patients in TA and 180 patients in LV were studied, including body mass index (BMI), drugs in urine, sociodemographic, and addiction history data.

Occurrence of hypertension among patients with opioid use disorder in methadone maintenance treatment.

Background: Patients in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) may develop age-related medical problems, but hypertension (HTN) proportion and its occurrence during MMT have not been studied yet. We aimed to evaluate changes in blood pressure (BP) during MMT and characterize current HTN.

Methods: Of all 1098 ever admitted MMT patients, those with ≥2 BP follow-up measures were included ( n  = 516), of them all current patients ( N  = 245) tested for HTN (systolic BP ≥140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 were detected twice (one week apart) were considered as affected with HTN.

Fentanyl abuse proportion in methadone maintenance treatment, and patients' knowledge about its risks.

Introduction: Fentanyl is not yet routinely monitored among methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) patients in Israel. We aimed 1. to evaluate urine fentanyl proportion changes over 3 years and characterize patients' characteristics 2.

Outcome in methadone maintenance treatment of immigrants from the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Context: Immigrants from the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) are more prevalent in Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in Israel than their percentage in the general population.

Aims: To compare their characteristics and outcomes to those of Israeli-born and other immigrant patients.

Methods: Retention and survival since admission (June/1993-Dec/2022) until leaving treatment (for retention), or at the end of follow-up were analyzed.

Is pain empathy associated with pain indices and trauma history? A comparison between patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment and healthy controls.

Background: To study whether pain empathy and theory of mind (ToM) are related to pain indices and trauma experience, we studied opioid users receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), a population with a history of traumas and a high prevalence of chronic pain.

Methods: MMT patients (n = 53), substance abuse-free, with no impaired cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) ≥24), were compared to healthy controls (HC) matched by age and gender (n = 66). All participants were assessed using Reading the Mind in the Eyes (RMET) for ToM, empathy (Interpersonal Reactivity Index [IRI], Empathy Quotient Scale for Adults [EQ60]), and Pain Empathy [PE task]).

Predictors of treatment retention and survival among methadone-maintained patients: A possible role for a functional delta opioid receptor gene variant.

Background: Variants in the delta opioid receptor gene, OPRD1, were associated with opioid use disorder and response to treatment. The study goal was to assess whether OPRD1 variants predict survival and retention in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT).

Methods: Retention and survival time since admission (June 1993 - June 2022) until leaving treatment (for retention), or at the end of follow-up (Dec 2022) (for retention and survival) were analyzed in 488 patients.

Hepatitis C Virus Elimination in Methadone-treated Patients: Implementation of Hepatology Clinic in a Methadone Treatment Program.

Objectives: Patient ignorance and bureaucratic obstacles prevent initiation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment in patients participating in methadone treatment program. Despite high safety and efficacy of currently available oral medications, the rate of patient-initiated treatment remains low. We evaluated the impact of an interventional program on treatment success rate and factors associated with treatment engagement.

False-positive fentanyl screening kit results during treatment with long term injectable risperidone (Risperdal-Consta).

Fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid, is a major cause of overdose deaths in the United States and worldwide. Urine drug immunoassay tests that include fentanyl in their drug panel are the common screening tool. However, false positive results may compromise test accuracy and cause grave clinical outcomes.

Cannabis use is associated with lower retention in methadone maintenance treatment, but not among schizophrenic- and other chronically psychotic patients.

The findings of studies on cannabis use and retention in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) are inconsistent. To study cannabis use and its relationship to patients' outcomes in MMT with/without lifetime DSM-IV-TR schizophrenia/chronic-psychosis diagnosis. Since June 1993, 877 patients with available lifetime DSM-IV-TR psychiatric diagnosis were followed-up until December 2017.

Risk and benefit of cannabis prescription for chronic non-cancer pain.

Objectives: We investigated whether cannabis usage was associated with reduced opioid usage, and the rates of opioid and cannabis use disorders among chronic pain patients who had been prescribed medical cannabis.

Methods: A random sample of chronic pain patients who had license for cannabis use were interviewed by telephone about their lifetime opioid and cannabis usage. Cannabis and opioid use disorders were assessed with Portenoy's criteria.

The prevalence of constipation and its relation to sweet taste preference among patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment.

Background: Preference for sweet-tasting foods, weight gain, and constipation characterize patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). The prevalence of constipation in MMT and its relation to preference for sweet taste and body mass index (BMI) are undetermined.

Methods: A random sample of 83 patients was interviewed for constipation with the Patient Assessment Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) questionnaire.

Post-traumatic stress disorder due to sexual abuse and its relation to pain sensitivity among patients in methadone maintenance treatment.

We studied whether post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to sexual abuse is related to pain indices among methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) patients. Pain threshold was determined, and suprathreshold pain levels were rated among 18 patients with PTSD and sexual abuse, and 38 patients without PTSD (20 with and 18 without sexual abuse). Patients with PTSD had higher proportion of chronic pain and high-perceived stress, and lower pain threshold, with similar supra-threshold ratings.

Trend differences over 20 years between two methadone maintenance clinics, one with and one without cannabis legalization.

Background: Although methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) guidelines are well established, patients' characteristics and outcome change over time may be affected by the legality of cannabis.

Objective: To study trend changes between two clinics over 20 years from Las Vegas (LV) and 27 years from Tel Aviv (TA).

Methods: Patients' characteristics at admission, including drugs in urine at first and 13th month were obtained from their medical charts.

[STIGMA AND MISINFORMATION ABOUT METHADONE MAINTENANCE THERAPY].

Opioids play a key role in managing acute and chronic pain, but at the same time, opioid abuse is a socio-economic and health problem that has been expanding over the past three decades, causing a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Methadone maintenance therapy is the most effective treatment choice (combined with psychosocial therapy) for opioid addiction. However, only a small proportion of people with opioid addiction turn to this treatment.

Pregabalin Misuse: Motives, Pattern, and Knowledge about Its Risks among Patients in Methadone Maintenance Treatment.

We examined motives for pregabalin misuse and the relation with knowledge on its risks among patients receiving MMT. A questionnaire was used to assess patients' knowledge before and after an explanatory session. Responses were either "never-use" or "ever-use" (past, occasional, chronic).

Polymorphisms in Stress-Related Genes Are Associated with Reduced Cocaine Abuse and Longer Retention in Methadone Maintenance Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder.

Background: As CRH-binding protein (CRHBP) SNP rs1500 was associated with reduced cocaine abuse after 1 year in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) for heroin addiction, we evaluated the association of additional 28 selected SNPs, in 17 stress-related genes, with MMT outcome.

Methods: The distribution of genotypes of each SNP by cocaine abuse after 1 year in MMT was assessed under the dominant and recessive models using χ2. Cumulative retention (up to 26.

The Relation between Changes in Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 Levels, Body Mass Index and Outcome in Methadone Maintenance Treatment Patients.

Patients' Body Mass Index (BMI) increase during methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), and both Vitamins D and B12 deficiencies may be associated with BMI. We studied the relations between BMI, these vitamins and treatment outcome in patients with opioid use disorder receiving MMT. Vitamin B12 levels were available for 272 patients and Vitamin D levels were available for 260 patients.

Improvement in Cognitive Performance after One Year of Methadone Maintenance Treatment.

Individuals with substance use disorders are known to suffer from stress, poor sleep, and cognitive impairment. We investigated whether individuals with opioid use disorder would improve cognitive performance following a year of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and a standardized computerized cognitive battery were administered at admission (T0) to 29 patients, and repeatedly following one year of MMT (T1) by 19 patients.

Stress indices in methadone maintenance treatment - Cross sectional and follow up study.

To study the prevalence of perceived high stress among methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) patients, and whether stress can predict outcome, and whether stress may improve during treatment, we studied a sample of 107 MMT patients using Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) questionnaires. We studied if PSS scores on admission predict long-term retention, and we monitored stress indices (PSS, heart rate variability, saliva cortisol) on admission, 6 and 12 months later, to measure changes. Variables included demographic data, history of adverse events, and urine test.

Cognitive state, substance use patterns and outcome after discharge from Kfar Izun, a unique rehabilitation facility.

We studied cognitive performance following discharge from a novel rehabilitation facility, treating individuals with psychosis that developed during trips abroad following mandatory military service. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), phonetic and semantic fluency, State-Trait Anxiety, and self-Efficiency were administered before discharge, and 3 and 6 months after discharge. Of the 43 participants (30.