Correlates of post-hospitalization naltrexone adherence for alcohol use disorder.

Introduction: Hospitalizations present an opportunity to initiate naltrexone for patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Understanding factors associated with post-hospitalization adherence could inform practice.

Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of a clinical trial in which patients with AUD were randomized to oral (PO) versus long-acting injectable (LAI) naltrexone at hospital discharge.

Pain and unhealthy alcohol use among people living with HIV: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Unhealthy alcohol use is prevalent among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) and contributes to impaired functioning, diminished quality of life, and poorer HIV outcomes. Common cooccurring conditions such as chronic pain may be associated with negative outcomes both directly and through its influence on unhealthy drinking itself. However, there is relatively little known about how pain influences unhealthy drinking among PLWH over time.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Substance Use and Related Consequences among Patients in Office-Based Opioid Use Disorder Treatment.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic led to increased substance-related morbidity and mortality and transformed care for opioid use disorder (OUD). We assessed the perceived impacts of the pandemic on substance use and related consequences among patients in office-based addiction treatment (OBAT).

Methods: We recruited patients with OUD on buprenorphine from July 2021 to July 2022, with data collection at baseline and 6 months.

Patient and Clinician Experiences with the Implementation of Telemedicine and Related Adaptations in Office-Based Buprenorphine Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Deaths from opioid overdose have increased dramatically in the past decade, representing an epidemic in the United States. For individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD), agonist medications such as methadone and buprenorphine reduce opioid-related morbidity and mortality. Historically, the provision of buprenorphine treatment in office-based settings has relied on frequent in-person contact, likely influencing patients' access to and retention in care.

Exemplar Hospital initiation trial to Enhance Treatment Engagement (EXHIT ENTRE): protocol for CTN-0098B a randomized implementation study to support hospitals in caring for patients with opioid use disorder.

Background: Hospitalizations involving opioid use disorder (OUD) are increasing. Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) reduce mortality and acute care utilization. Hospitalization is a reachable moment for initiating MOUD and arranging for ongoing MOUD engagement following hospital discharge.

Investigating for Whom Brief Substance Use Interventions Are Most Effective: An Individual Participant Data Meta-analysis.

Prior research suggests that brief interventions (BIs) for alcohol and other drug use may vary in effectiveness across patient sociodemographic factors. The objective of this individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis was to explore for whom BIs delivered in general healthcare settings are more or less effective. We examined variability in BI effects by patient age, sex, employment, education, relationship status, and baseline severity of substance use using a two-stage IPD meta-analysis approach.

Polysubstance Use Patterns Associated With HIV Disease Severity Among Those With Substance Use Disorders: A Latent Class Analysis.

Objective: Polysubstance use is common among people with HIV infection (PWH) and with substance use disorder (SUD), but its effects are understudied. We aimed to identify polysubstance use patterns over time and assess their associations with HIV disease severity.

Method: In 233 PWH with current or past SUD, latent class analysis identified polysubstance use patterns based on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption and past-30-day use of cannabis, cocaine, opioids, and tranquilizers at baseline.

Impact of alcohol use disorder severity on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral suppression and CD4 count in three international cohorts of people with HIV.

Background: Alcohol use has been linked to worse human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) immunologic/virologic outcomes, yet few studies have explored the effects of alcohol use disorder (AUD). This study assessed whether AUD severity is associated with HIV viral suppression and CD4 count in the three cohorts of the Uganda Russia Boston Alcohol Network for Alcohol Research Collaboration on HIV/AIDS (URBAN ARCH) Consortium.

Methods: People with HIV (PWH) in Uganda (n = 301), Russia (n = 400), and Boston (n = 251), selected in-part based on their alcohol use, were included in analyses.

Is clinicians' alcohol consumption associated with their preventive practices to reduce unhealthy alcohol use? A systematic review of current evidence.

Clinicians' risk behaviors, including their personal alcohol use, may influence patients' attitudes and motivation to make changes in their lifestyle, as well as the provision of clinical preventive services to reduce unhealthy behaviors. The aim of the systematic review was to summarize the existing evidence on the association between clinicians' alcohol consumption and their preventive practices to reduce unhealthy alcohol use. The review was conducted following Cochrane guidelines and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement guidance.

Evaluation of a student clinical research education program in addiction medicine.

Objective: To evaluate an experiential student clinical addiction research program by analyzing its components, evaluation survey data, and scientific outputs.

Methods: In 1995, we established a summer research program supporting trainees to gain exposure to clinical addiction research careers. This curriculum employed a three-pronged approach that combined mentored research training, didactic education, and clinical observerships for medical students and other trainees to acquire experience with addiction medicine and research.

Alcohol and falls among people with HIV infection: A view from Russia and the United States.

Background: Both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and alcohol use predispose to autonomic/sensory neuropathy, imbalance symptoms, and cognitive impairment-conditions associated with a greater risk of falls-yet it is unclear how to identify people with HIV (PWH) whose drinking is associated with falls. Research on alcohol and falls using the same instruments in different countries could help to specify the level of alcohol use associated with fall risk. We examined whether a consumption-based measure (the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption [AUDIT-C]) and/or a symptom-based measure (DSM-5 criteria for alcohol use disorder [AUD]) are associated with sustaining a fall among PWH in St Petersburg, Russia and Boston, Massachusetts in the United States.

Pharmacotherapies for Adults With Alcohol Use Disorders: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

Background: We aimed to determine medications' comparative efficacy and safety for adults with alcohol use disorders.

Methods: We searched eleven electronic data sources for randomized clinical trials with at least 4 weeks of treatment reporting on alcohol consumption (total abstinence and reduced heavy drinking), dropouts, and dropouts due to adverse events. We conducted network meta-analyses using random-effects, frequentist models, and calculated summary rate ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Testing and treatment for latent tuberculosis infection in people living with HIV and substance dependence: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: To quantify the proportion of people living with HIV (PLWH) with other tuberculosis (TB) risk factors that completed the latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) care cascade and describe factors associated with attrition. The care cascade was defined as follows: (1) receipt of an LTBI test and result, (2) initiation of LTBI treatment and (3) completion of LTBI treatment.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Prevalence and Correlates of Positive Follow-up Screens in Primary Care for Unhealthy Alcohol and Other Drug Use After a Negative Screen.

Objective: To determine the proportion and characteristics of adults in primary care (PC) who screen positive for unhealthy substance use (SU) (alcohol and/or other drug) 1 year or more after screening negative.

Methods: Screening consisted of single-item questions for unhealthy use of alcohol and other drugs (illicit drugs and prescription medications). Health educators conducted in-person screening of patients presenting for a PC appointment.

Effects of brief substance use interventions delivered in general medical settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: To estimate effects of brief substance use interventions delivered in general medical settings.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials conducted since 1990 of brief substance use interventions in patients of any age or severity level recruited in general medical settings. Primary outcomes were any measure of substance use or substance-related consequences (indexed with Hedges' g and risk ratios).

The "Outcome Reporting in Brief Intervention Trials: Alcohol" (ORBITAL) Core Outcome Set: International Consensus on Outcomes to Measure in Efficacy and Effectiveness Trials of Alcohol Brief Interventions.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the "Outcome Reporting in Brief Intervention Trials: Alcohol" (ORBITAL) recommended core outcome set (COS) to improve efficacy and effectiveness trials/evaluations for alcohol brief interventions (ABIs).

Method: A systematic review identified 2,641 outcomes in 401 ABI articles measured by 1,560 different approaches. These outcomes were classified into outcome categories, and 150 participants from 19 countries participated in a two-round e-Delphi outcome prioritization exercise.