HIV testing and sexual risk reduction counseling in office-based buprenorphine/naloxone treatment.

Objectives: We assessed the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing with sexual risk reduction counseling for opioid-dependent patients initiating office-based buprenorphine/naloxone treatment.

Methods: We conducted a 14-week randomized, controlled trial with 30 patients (original target of 114) assigned to receive buprenorphine/naloxone induction/stabilization and HIV testing with Brief Sexual Risk Management (BSRM) or Enhanced Sexual Risk Management (ESRM). We evaluated process measures and compared outcomes at baseline and during the 3-month follow-up.

Opioids, chronic pain, and addiction in primary care.

Unlabelled: Research has largely ignored the systematic examination of physicians' attitudes towards providing care for patients with chronic noncancer pain. The objective of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators to opioid treatment of chronic noncancer pain patients by office-based medical providers. We used a qualitative study design using individual and group interviews.

Integrating buprenorphine treatment into office-based practice: a qualitative study.

Background: Despite the availability and demonstrated effectiveness of office-based buprenorphine maintenance treatment (BMT), the systematic examination of physicians' attitudes towards this new medical practice has been largely neglected.

Objective: To identify facilitators and barriers to the potential or actual implementation of BMT by office-based medical providers.

Design: Qualitative study using individual and group semi-structured interviews.

Cost analysis of clinic and office-based treatment of opioid dependence: results with methadone and buprenorphine in clinically stable patients.

The cost of providing and receiving treatment for opioid dependence can determine its adoption. To compare the cost of clinic-based methadone (MC, n=23), office-based methadone (MO, n=21), and office-based buprenorphine (BO, n=34) we performed an analysis of treatment and patient costs over 6 months of maintenance in patients who had previously been stabilized for at least 1 year. We performed statistical comparisons using ANOVA and chi-square tests and performed a sensitivity analysis varying cost estimates and intensity of clinical contact.

The impact of race as a risk factor for symptom severity and age at diagnosis of uterine leiomyomata among affected sisters.

Objective: The objective of the study was to identify risk factors for uterine leiomyomata (UL) in a racially diverse population of women with a family history of UL, and to evaluate their contribution to disease severity and age at diagnosis.

Study Design: We collected and analyzed epidemiologic data from 285 sister pairs diagnosed with UL. Risk factors for UL-related outcomes were compared among black (n = 73) and white (n = 212) sister pairs using univariate and multivariate regression models.

Women and opioid dependence treatment: office-based versus opioid treatment program-based care?

Women are under-represented in opioid dependency treatment, yet national statistics indicate that, as the non-medical use of prescription pain relievers rises, more women will require this treatment. Important considerations for the treatment of opioid-dependency in women include high rates of psychiatric illness, concerns regarding substance abuse and treatment in pregnancy, high rates of history of trauma, relationship dynamics that put women at risk for sexually transmitted diseases, and social factors such as lower economic status and responsibilities as care givers. Traditional approaches to opioid-dependency treatment, such as methadone maintenance programs (MMPs), have not consistently addressed these needs and do not provide flexible care and anonymity.

Involvement of fumarate hydratase in nonsyndromic uterine leiomyomas: genetic linkage analysis and FISH studies.

Recently, germline mutations of the fumarate hydratase (FH) gene, in 1q42.1, have been found to be involved in syndromes associated with uterine leiomyomas (ULs). Compelling evidence also supports a genetic liability to develop nonsyndromic UL, although susceptibility genes have not been reported to date.