Manejo terapéutico y comorbilidades del paciente con dependencia a opiáceos, en programa de terapia sustitutiva: Estudio PROTEUS

Resumen Objetivo Analizar la necesidad de realizar un estudio epidemiológico de pacientes dependientes de opiáceos centrado en conocer más sus tratamientos, comorbilidades médicas y psiquiátricas. Material y métodos Se examinó la necesidad de tener datos disponibles en nuestro medio sobre el manejo clínico de estos pacientes, el tipo de tratamiento y las posibles comorbilidades. No existen datos completos, representativos de los pacientes españoles. Por ello se seleccionó una muestra representativa a nivel nacional, a partir de la población de pacientes dependientes de opiáceos en programas de mantenimiento con agonistas opiáceos que acudían a los centros asistenciales de drogodependencias. Resultados El estudio final incluyó una población representativa de 624 pacientes dependientes a opiáceos en programas de mantenimiento con agonistas, procedentes de 74 centros de asistencia al dependiente de opiáceos de toda España. Conclusiones Se conocen poco los datos sobre la comorbilidad psicopatológica y médica y los tratamientos farmacológicos en pacientes dependientes de opiáceos. Es necesario realizar un estudio epidemiológico amplio que actualice la realidad de la práctica clínica habitual del paciente dependiente de opiáceos en España (manejo terapéutico, comorbilidades, etc.) valore la gravedad de su adicción, la repercusión sobre el tipo de tratamiento, la presencia de patología dual y las repercusiones médicas. Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to analyze the need for an epidemiological study of opiate-dependent patients aiming to improve the knowledge about their treatment and medical and psychiatric comorbidities. Matherial and methods Data on clinical management, treatment type, and comorbidities in Spain were examined. There are no comprehensive data, representative of the Spanish patients. Therefore, a national representative sample was selected from opiate-dependent patients ongoing replacement therapy programs, attending care centers for opiatedependent patients. Results The representative sample included 624 opiate-dependent patients ongoing opiate replacement therapy programs from 74 drug-dependent rehabilitation centers in Spain. Conclusions Data on therapeutic management and psychiatric and medical comorbidities in opiate-dependent patients are not well known. There is a need for a comprehensive epidemiological study to update the reality of clinical practice of opioiddependent patients in Spain (therapeutic management, comorbidities, etc.) assessing the severity of their addiction, the impact on the type of treatment, the presence of dual pathology and medical implications

Driving and legal status of Spanish opioid-dependent patients

Producción CientíficaBackground: Opioid dependent patients have legal problems, driving violations and accidents more frequently than the general population. We have hypothesized that those patients currently driving may have better legal outcomes than those who do not possess a valid driving license. With this aim we have analyzed the information gathered in the PROTEUS study regarding the legal and driving statuses and assessed the possible association between them. The PROTEUS study was an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive, multicenter nationwide representative study, conducted in Spanish healthcare centers for opioid dependent patients. Findings: The driving and legal statuses of a population of opioid dependent patients ≥18 years and enrolled in Opioid Agonist Therapy treatment centers in Spain, were assessed using a short specific questionnaire and the EuropASI questionnaire to highlight distinct individual clinical needs. 621 patients were evaluable (84% men, 24.5% active workers). 321 patients (52%) drove on a regular basis. Nineteen percent of patients had some problem with the criminal justice system. There was a significant difference (p = 0.0433) in status, according to the criminal justice system, between patients who drove on a regular basis and those who did not, with a higher percentage of patients with non-pending charges among usual drivers. Conclusions: Regular drivers showed fewer legal problems than non-regular drivers, with the exception of those related to driving (driving violations and drunk driving). Driving is a good prognostic factor for the social integration of the patients and policies should be implemented to enable these patients to drive safely under medical authorization. The legal description will be useful to assess treatment efficacy.Instituto de Salud Carlos III (grants RD06/0001/0020, RD06/0001/0018, RD12/0028/0012 and RD12/ 0028/0018

A Highly Polymorphic Copy Number Variant in the NSF Gene is Associated with Cocaine Dependence

Cocaine dependence is a complex psychiatric disorder involving both genetic and environmental factors. Several neurotransmitter systems mediate cocaine's effects, dependence and relapse, being the components of the neurotransmitter release machinery good candidates for the disorder. Previously, we identified a risk haplotype for cocaine dependence in the NSF gene, encoding the protein N-Ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Factor essential for synaptic vesicle turnover. Here we examined the possible contribution to cocaine dependence of a large copy number variant (CNV) that encompasses part of the NSF gene. We performed a case-control association study in a discovery sample (359 cases and 356 controls) and identified an association between cocaine dependence and the CNV (P=0.013), that was confirmed in the replication sample (508 cases and 569 controls, P=7.1e-03) and in a pooled analysis (P=1.8e-04), with an over-representation of low number of copies in cases. Subsequently, we studied the functional impact of the CNV on gene expression and found thatthe levels of two NSF transcripts were significantly increased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) along with the number of copies of the CNV. These results, together with a previous study from our group, support the role of NSF in the susceptibility to cocaine dependenc

Professionals' perceptions about healthcare resources for co-occuring disorders in Spain

Since provision of integrated services for patients with dual pathology or dual disorders (coexistence of an addictive disorder and other psychiatric disorders) constitutes an important challenge, this study compared the perceptions of health-care professionals with the existing, current state of specific resources for patients with dual pathology in Spain. Epidemiological, observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study with a large, representative sample of health care professionals attending patients with dual pathology in treatment resources throughout Spain. Participants completed a specifically designed ad - hoc on-line questionnaire about their perceptions on the existence of available resources and treatment needs for patients with dual pathology. To compare professionals' perceptions with existing available resources, the same on-line questionnaire was also completed by commissioners and managers responsible for national and regional healthcare plans on drug abuse. A total of 659 professionals, mostly psychologists (43.40%) or psychiatrists (32.93%) agreed to participate in the study. The highest degree of concordance between the perceptions of professional and the actual situation was found regarding the existence of mental health and addiction networks (either separately or unified) (74.48%), followed by specific workshops (73.08%) and sub-acute inpatient units (67.38%), specific hospitalization units (66.26%), detoxification units (63.15%) and outpatient programs (60.73%). We detected a lower degree of agreement regarding specific occupational rehabilitation centers (59.34%) day hospitals (58.93%), day centers (57.88%), outpatient intermediate resources (48.87%), psychiatric acute admission units (46.54%) and therapeutic communities (43.77%). In addition, on average, health care professionals underestimated the number of resources present in their respective communities. Relevant differences exist between the perceptions of professional and existing available resources for dual pathology patients in Spain, thus supporting the need of additional efforts and strategies to establish a registry and clearly inform about available resources for patients with dual diagnosis

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor serum levels in cocaine-dependent patients during early abstinence

Preclinical studies indicate that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in neuroplastic changes underlying enduring cocaine-seeking following withdrawal. However, little is known about temporal changes in serum BDNF levels or the involvement of BDNF in craving and abstinence in early-abstinent cocaine-dependent patients. Twenty-three cocaine-dependent individuals (aged 33.65±6.85 years) completed a two-week detoxification program at an inpatient facility. Two serum samples were collected for each patient at baseline and at the end of the protocol. Serum samples were also collected for 46 healthy controls (aged 35.52±9.37 years). Demographic, consumption and clinical data were recorded for all patients. Significantly lower serum BDNF levels (p<.0001) were observed for cocaine-dependent patients at baseline compared to healthy controls. Serum BDNF levels increased significantly across 12 days of early abstinence (p=.030). Baseline BDNF levels correlated with craving (p=.034). Post-detoxification BDNF levels correlated with craving (p=.018), loss of control (p<.000), abstinence measures (p=0.031), depression (p=0.036), and anxiety (p=0.036). Post-detoxification BDNF levels also had predictive value for the loss of control measure of craving. Chronic cocaine use is associated with decreased serum BDNF. A progressive increase in serum BDNF levels during early abstinence correlates with cocaine craving and abstinence symptoms and may reflect increasing BDNF levels in different brain regions. These findings suggest that serum BDNF may be a biomarker for cocaine addiction

El papel de la impulsividad en pacientes en tratamiento por trastorno por uso de sustancias

Introducción: La impulsividad es un constructo multidimensional de gran importancia, puesto que se encuentra presente en muchos trastornos psiquiátricos, entre otros, los trastornos por uso de sustancias (TUS), los trastornos antisocial y límite de la personalidad, el comportamiento suicida, los trastornos por control de impulsos o el trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad. Objetivo: El objetivo principal del presente trabajo es explorar y evaluar el papel de la impulsividad en pacientes con trastorno por uso de sustancias que acuden a recibir tratamiento en un centro ambulatorio de adicciones. Metodología: Se seleccionó una muestra de pacientes en tratamiento en la Sección de Adicciones y Patología Dual del Hospital Universitario Vall d’Hebron. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, clínicas y otras relacionadas con el consumo. La impulsividad fue evaluada con la Escala de Impulsividad de Barratt (BIS-11), la comorbilidad con la SCID-I y SCID-II y con el CAADID, y la gravedad de la adicción, con el EuropASI. Se diseñó el estudio en diferentes fases. Las tres primeras fases consistieron en un estudio descriptivo, ecológico, transversal, retrospectivo y observacional y, en la segunda fase, se añadió un estudio analítico. En la cuarta fase, se empleó un diseño longitudinal, de cohortes y prospectivo. Resultados: Las puntuaciones de impulsividad en pacientes con trastorno por uso de sustancias son elevadas. La impulsividad se relaciona con la gravedad de la adicción en pacientes dependientes de cocaína y está presente en los pacientes con comorbilidades psiquiátricas y con ideación o intentos de suicidio a lo largo de la vida. La escala BIS-11 tiene un buen funcionamiento a nivel general, pero no ha sido posible poder adaptarla a nuestra población. Conclusiones: La impulsividad en pacientes con trastorno por uso de sustancias es frecuente, y está relacionada con comorbilidades psiquiátricas, comportamiento suicida y con la gravedad de la adicción. La escala BIS-11 puede no ser el instrumento óptimo para valorar la impulsividad pacientes adictos por la alta comorbilidad con otros trastornos, en parte, porque el constructo que se estudia como “impulsividad” sea más complejo dimensionalmente en este tipo de pacientes.Introduction: Impulsivity is a multidimensional construct of great importance present in many psychiatric disorders such substance use disorders (SUD), antisocial and borderline personality disorders suicidal behavior, impulse control disorders or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Objective: The main objective of this work is to explore and to evaluate the role of impulsivity in patients with SUD in treatment at s an outpatient addiction center (belonging to the Spanish Public Health System) Methodology: A sample of outpatient in treatment at the Addictions and Dual Pathology Section of the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital was selected. Sociodemographic, clinical and other variables related to drug use were collected. Impulsivity was evaluated with the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11), comorbidity with the SCID-I, the SCID-II, and the CAADID while addiction severity was assessed with the EuropASI. The study was designed in different phases. The first three phases could be describes as an ecological, cross-sectional, retrospective and observational study and, in the second period, an analytical study was added. In the4th phase, a longitudinal, cohort and prospective study was conducted. Results: Impulsivity scores in patients with SUDs are high. Impulsivity is related to the severity of addiction in cocaine-dependent patients and is present in patients with psychiatric comorbidities as well as among those with ideation or lifetime suicide attempts. The BIS-11 scale has a good performance at a general level, but it has not been possible to be completely adapted to our population. Conclusions: Impulsivity in patients with SUDs is frequent, and is related to psychiatric comorbidities, suicidal behavior and addiction severity. The BIS-11 scale may not be the optimal instrument to assess the impulsivity among patients with addictive disorders. This could be due to the high comorbidity with other mental disorders or to the complexity of impulsivity as a multi-dimensional construct

El papel de la impulsividad en pacientes en tratamiento por trastorno por uso de sustancias

Introducción: La impulsividad es un constructo multidimensional de gran importancia, puesto que se encuentra presente en muchos trastornos psiquiátricos, entre otros, los trastornos por uso de sustancias (TUS), los trastornos antisocial y límite de la personalidad, el comportamiento suicida, los trastornos por control de impulsos o el trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad. Objetivo: El objetivo principal del presente trabajo es explorar y evaluar el papel de la impulsividad en pacientes con trastorno por uso de sustancias que acuden a recibir tratamiento en un centro ambulatorio de adicciones. Metodología: Se seleccionó una muestra de pacientes en tratamiento en la Sección de Adicciones y Patología Dual del Hospital Universitario Vall d’Hebron. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, clínicas y otras relacionadas con el consumo. La impulsividad fue evaluada con la Escala de Impulsividad de Barratt (BIS-11), la comorbilidad con la SCID-I y SCID-II y con el CAADID, y la gravedad de la adicción, con el EuropASI. Se diseñó el estudio en diferentes fases. Las tres primeras fases consistieron en un estudio descriptivo, ecológico, transversal, retrospectivo y observacional y, en la segunda fase, se añadió un estudio analítico. En la cuarta fase, se empleó un diseño longitudinal, de cohortes y prospectivo. Resultados: Las puntuaciones de impulsividad en pacientes con trastorno por uso de sustancias son elevadas. La impulsividad se relaciona con la gravedad de la adicción en pacientes dependientes de cocaína y está presente en los pacientes con comorbilidades psiquiátricas y con ideación o intentos de suicidio a lo largo de la vida. La escala BIS-11 tiene un buen funcionamiento a nivel general, pero no ha sido posible poder adaptarla a nuestra población. Conclusiones: La impulsividad en pacientes con trastorno por uso de sustancias es frecuente, y está relacionada con comorbilidades psiquiátricas, comportamiento suicida y con la gravedad de la adicción. La escala BIS-11 puede no ser el instrumento óptimo para valorar la impulsividad pacientes adictos por la alta comorbilidad con otros trastornos, en parte, porque el constructo que se estudia como “impulsividad” sea más complejo dimensionalmente en este tipo de pacientes.Introduction: Impulsivity is a multidimensional construct of great importance present in many psychiatric disorders such substance use disorders (SUD), antisocial and borderline personality disorders suicidal behavior, impulse control disorders or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Objective: The main objective of this work is to explore and to evaluate the role of impulsivity in patients with SUD in treatment at s an outpatient addiction center (belonging to the Spanish Public Health System) Methodology: A sample of outpatient in treatment at the Addictions and Dual Pathology Section of the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital was selected. Sociodemographic, clinical and other variables related to drug use were collected. Impulsivity was evaluated with the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11), comorbidity with the SCID-I, the SCID-II, and the CAADID while addiction severity was assessed with the EuropASI. The study was designed in different phases. The first three phases could be describes as an ecological, cross-sectional, retrospective and observational study and, in the second period, an analytical study was added. In the4th phase, a longitudinal, cohort and prospective study was conducted. Results: Impulsivity scores in patients with SUDs are high. Impulsivity is related to the severity of addiction in cocaine-dependent patients and is present in patients with psychiatric comorbidities as well as among those with ideation or lifetime suicide attempts. The BIS-11 scale has a good performance at a general level, but it has not been possible to be completely adapted to our population. Conclusions: Impulsivity in patients with SUDs is frequent, and is related to psychiatric comorbidities, suicidal behavior and addiction severity. The BIS-11 scale may not be the optimal instrument to assess the impulsivity among patients with addictive disorders. This could be due to the high comorbidity with other mental disorders or to the complexity of impulsivity as a multi-dimensional construct

El papel de la impulsividad en pacientes en tratamiento por trastorno por uso de sustancias /

Introducción: La impulsividad es un constructo multidimensional de gran importancia, puesto que se encuentra presente en muchos trastornos psiquiátricos, entre otros, los trastornos por uso de sustancias (TUS), los trastornos antisocial y límite de la personalidad, el comportamiento suicida, los trastornos por control de impulsos o el trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad. Objetivo: El objetivo principal del presente trabajo es explorar y evaluar el papel de la impulsividad en pacientes con trastorno por uso de sustancias que acuden a recibir tratamiento en un centro ambulatorio de adicciones. Metodología: Se seleccionó una muestra de pacientes en tratamiento en la Sección de Adicciones y Patología Dual del Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, clínicas y otras relacionadas con el consumo. La impulsividad fue evaluada con la Escala de Impulsividad de Barratt (BIS-11), la comorbilidad con la SCID-I y SCID-II y con el C19DID, y la gravedad de la adicción, con el EuropASI. Se diseñó el estudio en diferentes fases. Las tres primeras fases consistieron en un estudio descriptivo, ecológico, transversal, retrospectivo y observacional y, en la segunda fase, se añadió un estudio analítico. En la cuarta fase, se empleó un diseño longitudinal, de cohortes y prospectivo. Resultados: Las puntuaciones de impulsividad en pacientes con trastorno por uso de sustancias son elevadas. La impulsividad se relaciona con la gravedad de la adicción en pacientes dependientes de cocaína y está presente en los pacientes con comorbilidades psiquiátricas y con ideación o intentos de suicidio a lo largo de la vida. La escala BIS-11 tiene un buen funcionamiento a nivel general, pero no ha sido posible poder adaptarla a nuestra población. Conclusiones: La impulsividad en pacientes con trastorno por uso de sustancias es frecuente, y está relacionada con comorbilidades psiquiátricas, comportamiento suicida y con la gravedad de la adicción. La escala BIS-11 puede no ser el instrumento óptimo para valorar la impulsividad pacientes adictos por la alta comorbilidad con otros trastornos, en parte, porque el constructo que se estudia como "impulsividad" sea más complejo dimensionalmente en este tipo de pacientes.Introduction: Impulsivity is a multidimensional construct of great importance present in many psychiatric disorders such substance use disorders (SUD), antisocial and borderline personality disorders suicidal behavior, impulse control disorders or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Objective: The main objective of this work is to explore and to evaluate the role of impulsivity in patients with SUD in treatment at s an outpatient addiction center (belonging to the Spanish Public Health System) Methodology: A sample of outpatient in treatment at the Addictions and Dual Pathology Section of the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital was selected. Sociodemographic, clinical and other variables related to drug use were collected. Impulsivity was evaluated with the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11), comorbidity with the SCID-I, the SCID-II, and the CAADID while addiction severity was assessed with the EuropASI. The study was designed in different phases. The first three phases could be describes as an ecological, cross-sectional, retrospective and observational study and, in the second period, an analytical study was added. In the4th phase, a longitudinal, cohort and prospective study was conducted. Results: Impulsivity scores in patients with SUDs are high. Impulsivity is related to the severity of addiction in cocaine-dependent patients and is present in patients with psychiatric comorbidities as well as among those with ideation or lifetime suicide attempts. The BIS-11 scale has a good performance at a general level, but it has not been possible to be completely adapted to our population. Conclusions: Impulsivity in patients with SUDs is frequent, and is related to psychiatric comorbidities, suicidal behavior and addiction severity. The BIS-11 scale may not be the optimal instrument to assess the impulsivity among patients with addictive disorders. This could be due to the high comorbidity with other mental disorders or to the complexity of impulsivity as a multi-dimensional construct

Manejo terapéutico y comorbilidades del paciente con dependencia a opiáceos, en programa de terapia sustitutiva: Estudio PROTEUS

Resumen Objetivo Analizar la necesidad de realizar un estudio epidemiológico de pacientes dependientes de opiáceos centrado en conocer más sus tratamientos, comorbilidades médicas y psiquiátricas. Material y métodos Se examinó la necesidad de tener datos disponibles en nuestro medio sobre el manejo clínico de estos pacientes, el tipo de tratamiento y las posibles comorbilidades. No existen datos completos, representativos de los pacientes españoles. Por ello se seleccionó una muestra representativa a nivel nacional, a partir de la población de pacientes dependientes de opiáceos en programas de mantenimiento con agonistas opiáceos que acudían a los centros asistenciales de drogodependencias. Resultados El estudio final incluyó una población representativa de 624 pacientes dependientes a opiáceos en programas de mantenimiento con agonistas, procedentes de 74 centros de asistencia al dependiente de opiáceos de toda España. Conclusiones Se conocen poco los datos sobre la comorbilidad psicopatológica y médica y los tratamientos farmacológicos en pacientes dependientes de opiáceos. Es necesario realizar un estudio epidemiológico amplio que actualice la realidad de la práctica clínica habitual del paciente dependiente de opiáceos en España (manejo terapéutico, comorbilidades, etc.) valore la gravedad de su adicción, la repercusión sobre el tipo de tratamiento, la presencia de patología dual y las repercusiones médicas. Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to analyze the need for an epidemiological study of opiate-dependent patients aiming to improve the knowledge about their treatment and medical and psychiatric comorbidities. Matherial and methods Data on clinical management, treatment type, and comorbidities in Spain were examined. There are no comprehensive data, representative of the Spanish patients. Therefore, a national representative sample was selected from opiate-dependent patients ongoing replacement therapy programs, attending care centers for opiatedependent patients. Results The representative sample included 624 opiate-dependent patients ongoing opiate replacement therapy programs from 74 drug-dependent rehabilitation centers in Spain. Conclusions Data on therapeutic management and psychiatric and medical comorbidities in opiate-dependent patients are not well known. There is a need for a comprehensive epidemiological study to update the reality of clinical practice of opioiddependent patients in Spain (therapeutic management, comorbidities, etc.) assessing the severity of their addiction, the impact on the type of treatment, the presence of dual pathology and medical implications