Abstract

Background: The excessive opioid abuse leads to impaired quality of life (QOL) in opioid abusers. The data on the effect of oral substitution therapy (OST) on the QOL of opioid dependent are lacking from India. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to check the effect of OST on QOL of opioid abuser in Gurgaon for 6-month follow-up. Materials andMethods: A total of 202 patients with opioid dependent were taken for the study from a deaddiction center in Gurgaon. They received sublingual buprenorphine as oral substitution therapy and were assessed with Opiate Treatment Index (OTI) and Severity of Dependence Scale, at baseline, 1 month, 3rd month, and 6th month. Patients were also assessed with the World Health Organization QOL (WHOQOL) scale (Hindi version) at baseline, 3rd month, and 6th month to assess the improvement in QOL.
Results: The significant improvement has been seen in OTI in opioid abuser 1 month onward and with regard to the WHOQOL-BREF scale scores, statistically significant P value has found for domain 2 (psychological) and domain 3 (social relationship) at 3rd and 6 months in heroin abuser. Conclusion: Improvement in QOL was seen with buprenorphine in patients of opioid dependence in Gurgaon.