2024
Preferences and decisional considerations relating to opioid agonist therapy among Ukrainian people who use drugs: A conjoint analysis survey.
Bromberg D, Madden L, Fraenkel L, Muthulingam D, Rhoades D, Dvoriak S, Dumchev K, Pykalo I, Altice F. Preferences and decisional considerations relating to opioid agonist therapy among Ukrainian people who use drugs: A conjoint analysis survey. PLOS Global Public Health 2024, 4: e0002725. PMID: 38277422, PMCID: PMC10817130, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002725.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid agonist therapyWithdrawal symptomsAdverse side effectsAgonist therapySide effectsOpioid use disorderQuality-of-life improvementUse disorderCombined HIVHIV incidenceClinical decision-makingDosing frequencyRespondent-driven samplingOpioidOpioid epidemicAssess preferencesClinical concernPatient preferencesPatientsDelivery strategiesTherapyDisordersHIVPatient concernsWithdrawal
2023
High perceived stress in patients on opioid agonist therapies during rapid transitional response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine
Galvez S, Altice F, Meteliuk A, Ivasiy R, Machavariani E, Farnum S, Fomenko T, Islam Z, Madden L. High perceived stress in patients on opioid agonist therapies during rapid transitional response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine. Frontiers In Public Health 2023, 11: 1231581. PMID: 38098837, PMCID: PMC10720365, DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1231581.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyOpioid use disorderAgonist therapyOAT patientsCOVID-19 pandemicSubstance useTake-home dosingAdditional psychosocial supportHigher perceived stressHigh riskPerceived Stress ScalePsychiatric disordersUse disordersPatientsPatient stressPsychosocial supportCertain subgroupsSevere levelsHigh levelsHealthcare deliveryStress ScalePerceived stressTherapyExtraordinary high levelsDisordersLeveraging existing provider networks in Europe to eliminate barriers to accessing opioid agonist maintenance therapies for Ukrainian refugees
Nikitin B, Bromberg D, Madden L, Stöver H, Teltzrow R, Altice F. Leveraging existing provider networks in Europe to eliminate barriers to accessing opioid agonist maintenance therapies for Ukrainian refugees. PLOS Global Public Health 2023, 3: e0002168. PMID: 37440470, PMCID: PMC10343058, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002168.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid use disorderAgonist maintenance therapyMaintenance therapyInjection drug usePrevention of HIVGold standard treatmentRisk of HIVHigh prevalence ratesCare continuityStandard treatmentPrevalence ratesUse disordersImplementation science lensDrug useHarm reductionTreatment modelHIVPatientsClinicTherapyAddiction treatment modelsTreatmentProvidersInvasionInterview participants
2021
Costs and impact on HIV transmission of a switch from a criminalisation to a public health approach to injecting drug use in eastern Europe and central Asia: a modelling analysis
Ward Z, Stone J, Bishop C, Ivakin V, Eritsyan K, Deryabina A, Low A, Cepeda J, Kelly SL, Heimer R, Cook R, Altice FL, Litz T, Terlikbayeva A, El-Bassel N, Havarkov D, Fisenka A, Boshnakova A, Klepikov A, Saliuk T, Deshko T, Vickerman P. Costs and impact on HIV transmission of a switch from a criminalisation to a public health approach to injecting drug use in eastern Europe and central Asia: a modelling analysis. The Lancet HIV 2021, 9: e42-e53. PMID: 34895484, PMCID: PMC8762142, DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(21)00274-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyAgonist therapyAntiretroviral therapyPublic health approachHIV transmissionDrug useDynamic HIV transmission modelHealth approachIncremental cost-effectiveness ratioHIV transmission modelNational InstituteCost-effectiveness ratioCountry-specific costsHIV incidenceUNAIDS 90US National InstitutesART coverageWHO targetPWIDTherapyPay thresholdsInfectious diseasesCost savingsDrug abuseIncremental costHIV care continuum among cisgender and transgender women sex workers in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Ranjit YS, Gibson BA, Altice FL, Kamarulzaman A, Azwa I, Wickersham JA. HIV care continuum among cisgender and transgender women sex workers in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. AIDS Care 2021, 35: 784-790. PMID: 34723714, PMCID: PMC9056582, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2021.1995839.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTransgender women sex workersHIV care continuumAntiretroviral treatmentSex workersCare continuumWomen sex workersTransgender womenImportant key populationProportion of womenRespondent-driven sampling studyEvidence-based strategiesAntiretroviral therapyHIV careHIV prevalenceHIV epidemicHIVKey populationsWomenKuala LumpurCisgender womenCount testUnique needsSmall proportionTherapyPopulation
2020
THU436 Patient-reported outcomes among people receiving opioid agonist therapy and treatment for hepatitis C virus infection: results from CO-STAR
Dalgard O, Litwin A, Dore G, Shibolet O, Grebely J, Nahass R, Altice F, Conway B, Gane E, Luetkemeyer A, Peng C, Iser D, Gendrano I, Kelly M, Haber B, Platt H, Puenpatom A. THU436 Patient-reported outcomes among people receiving opioid agonist therapy and treatment for hepatitis C virus infection: results from CO-STAR. Journal Of Hepatology 2020, 73: s356. DOI: 10.1016/s0168-8278(20)31208-3.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2019
HIV, Drug Injection, and Harm Reduction Trends in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Implications for International and Domestic Policy
LaMonaca K, Dumchev K, Dvoriak S, Azbel L, Morozova O, Altice FL. HIV, Drug Injection, and Harm Reduction Trends in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Implications for International and Domestic Policy. Current Psychiatry Reports 2019, 21: 47. PMID: 31161306, PMCID: PMC6685549, DOI: 10.1007/s11920-019-1038-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapySyringe services programDrug injectionAntiretroviral therapyHIV epidemicEvidence-based HIV prevention strategiesNew HIV casesHIV prevention strategiesHarm reduction programsAgonist therapyHIV incidenceHIV casesRecent FindingsThoughPrevention strategiesSexual partnersHIVInjectionTherapyReduction programsEpidemicPunitive drug lawsService programsMortalityCliniciansIncidenceHIV-Related Stigma, Motivation to Adhere to Antiretroviral Therapy, and Medication Adherence Among HIV-Positive Methadone-Maintained Patients
Shrestha R, Altice FL, Copenhaver MM. HIV-Related Stigma, Motivation to Adhere to Antiretroviral Therapy, and Medication Adherence Among HIV-Positive Methadone-Maintained Patients. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2019, 80: 166-173. PMID: 30383588, PMCID: PMC6331231, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001891.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOptimal ART adherenceAntiretroviral therapyMethadone-maintained patientsMethadone maintenance treatmentART adherenceMaintenance treatmentHIV treatment outcomesHIV-positive patientsOpioid agonist therapyMultivariable logistic regressionHIV risk behaviorsExplanatory pathwaysAgonist therapySuboptimal adherenceMedication adherenceHIV treatmentTreatment outcomesHIV stigmaPatientsLogistic regressionHIVPrevention initiativesTherapyAdherenceSignificant correlatesUsing nominal group technique to identify barriers, facilitators, and preferences among patients seeking treatment for opioid use disorder: A needs assessment for decision making support
Muthulingam D, Bia J, Madden LM, Farnum SO, Barry DT, Altice FL. Using nominal group technique to identify barriers, facilitators, and preferences among patients seeking treatment for opioid use disorder: A needs assessment for decision making support. Journal Of Substance Use And Addiction Treatment 2019, 100: 18-28. PMID: 30898324, PMCID: PMC6432946, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2019.01.019.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderNominal group techniquePharmacologic therapyUse disordersSyringe exchange programsIndividual-level barriersEvidence-based interventionsAddiction treatment centersEvidence-based strategiesOUD treatmentPharmacologic treatmentSpecific medicationsTreatment optionsPharmacologic propertiesMedicationsDecision aidPatient considerationsSide effectsTreatment centersOpioid crisisSpecific knowledge gapsGroup techniqueDecision aid developmentTreatmentTherapy
2018
Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Among Incarcerated Persons with HIV: Associations with Methadone and Perceived Safety
Culbert GJ, Waluyo A, Wang M, Putri TA, Bazazi AR, Altice FL. Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Among Incarcerated Persons with HIV: Associations with Methadone and Perceived Safety. AIDS And Behavior 2018, 23: 2048-2058. PMID: 30465106, PMCID: PMC6698149, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-018-2344-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntiretroviral therapyART adherenceART utilizationMethadone utilizationHIV status disclosureHealth service satisfactionStatus disclosureMedical treatmentDrug dependencyPWHAdherenceMost participantsHIVMethadoneTherapyChance locusSafetyAdequate supportHigh levelsPerceived SafetyPersonal safety
2017
Using nominal group technique among clinical providers to identify barriers and prioritize solutions to scaling up opioid agonist therapies in Ukraine
Madden L, Bojko MJ, Farnum S, Mazhnaya A, Fomenko T, Marcus R, Barry D, Ivanchuk I, Kolomiets V, Filippovych S, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. Using nominal group technique among clinical providers to identify barriers and prioritize solutions to scaling up opioid agonist therapies in Ukraine. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2017, 49: 48-53. PMID: 28957756, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.07.025.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyNominal group techniqueAgonist therapyBuprenorphine maintenance treatmentAddiction treatment approachesImplementation science strategiesOAT servicesMaintenance treatmentClinical providersTreatment approachesTreatment servicesNGT discussionRegional controlTherapyCliniciansGroup techniqueStructural barriersWhy People Who Inject Drugs Voluntarily Transition Off Methadone in Ukraine
Rozanova J, Marcus R, Taxman FS, Bojko MJ, Madden L, Farnum SO, Mazhnaya A, Dvoriak S, Altice FL. Why People Who Inject Drugs Voluntarily Transition Off Methadone in Ukraine. Qualitative Health Research 2017, 27: 2057-2070. PMID: 28942704, DOI: 10.1177/1049732317732307.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPatient preferences and extended-release naltrexone: A new opportunity to treat opioid use disorders in Ukraine
Marcus R, Makarenko I, Mazhnaya A, Zelenev A, Polonsky M, Madden L, Filippovych S, Dvoriak S, Springer SA, Altice FL. Patient preferences and extended-release naltrexone: A new opportunity to treat opioid use disorders in Ukraine. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2017, 179: 213-219. PMID: 28806638, PMCID: PMC5599372, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.07.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyOpioid use disorderExtended-release naltrexoneXR-NTXHIV preventionIndependent correlatesPatient preferencesUse disordersShort-term injectorsPatient-centered treatmentAgonist therapyPharmacological therapyHIV incidenceTreatment optionsPWIDTreatment entryAddiction treatmentPreventionNaltrexoneShort durationTherapyNegative attitudesDisordersNew optionsTreatmentO21 HCV reinfection and injecting risk behaviour following elbasvir/grazoprevir treatment in patients on opioid agonist therapy: Co-STAR three year follow-up study
Dore G, Grebely J, Altice F, Litwin A, Dalgard O, Gane E, Shibolet O, Luetkemeyer A, Nahass R, Peng C, Conway B, Iser D, Huang H, Gendrano I, Kelly M, Hwang P, Robertson M, Wahl J, Barr E, Platt H. O21 HCV reinfection and injecting risk behaviour following elbasvir/grazoprevir treatment in patients on opioid agonist therapy: Co-STAR three year follow-up study. Journal Of Virus Eradication 2017, 3: 8. DOI: 10.1016/s2055-6640(20)30904-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDesign and implementation of a factorial randomized controlled trial of methadone maintenance therapy and an evidence-based behavioral intervention for incarcerated people living with HIV and opioid dependence in Malaysia
Bazazi AR, Wickersham JA, Wegman MP, Culbert GJ, Pillai V, Shrestha R, Al-Darraji H, Copenhaver MM, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Design and implementation of a factorial randomized controlled trial of methadone maintenance therapy and an evidence-based behavioral intervention for incarcerated people living with HIV and opioid dependence in Malaysia. Contemporary Clinical Trials 2017, 59: 1-12. PMID: 28479216, PMCID: PMC5557499, DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2017.05.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMethadone maintenance therapyHIV transmission risk behaviorsMaintenance therapyTransmission risk behaviorsEvidence-based behavioral interventionsOpioid dependencePoor HIV treatment outcomesRisk behaviorsBehavioral interventionsHIV treatment outcomesProspective clinical trialsEvidence-based treatmentsHealth-related outcomesOpioid useTreatment receiptClinical trialsTreatment outcomesIncarcerated peopleTherapyStudy participantsFactorial trialHIVTrialsInterventionOutcomes427 Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Reinfection and Injection Risk Behavior Following Elbasvir/Grazoprevir (EBR/GZR) Treatment in Patients on Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT): Costar Three-Year Follow-Up Study
Haber B, Gane E, Dore G, Grebely J, Altice F, Litwin A, Dalgard O, Shibolet O, Luetkemeyer A, Nahass R, Peng C, Conway B, Iser D, Huang H, Gendrano I, Kelly M, Hwang P, Robertson M, Wahl J, Barr E, Platt H. 427 Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Reinfection and Injection Risk Behavior Following Elbasvir/Grazoprevir (EBR/GZR) Treatment in Patients on Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT): Costar Three-Year Follow-Up Study. Gastroenterology 2017, 152: s1058-s1059. DOI: 10.1016/s0016-5085(17)33575-8.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2016
Co-calibration of two self-reported measures of adherence to antiretroviral therapy
Nance RM, Delaney JA, Golin CE, Wechsberg WM, Cunningham C, Altice F, Christopoulos K, Knight K, Quan V, Gordon MS, Springer S, Young J, Crane PK, Mayer KH, Mugavero MJ, Del Rio C, Kronmal RA, Crane HM. Co-calibration of two self-reported measures of adherence to antiretroviral therapy. AIDS Care 2016, 29: 464-468. PMID: 27910703, PMCID: PMC5291764, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2016.1263721.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVisual analog scaleAntiretroviral therapyAdherence measuresAIDS Clinical Trials Group questionnaireHigh-risk vulnerable populationsVulnerable populationsCare cohortAnalog scaleVAS scaleHIV StudyAdherence dataClinical successConsortium studyGroup questionnaireTherapyDosesSelf-report measuresAdherenceThe perfect storm: incarceration and the high-risk environment perpetuating transmission of HIV, hepatitis C virus, and tuberculosis in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Altice FL, Azbel L, Stone J, Brooks-Pollock E, Smyrnov P, Dvoriak S, Taxman FS, El-Bassel N, Martin NK, Booth R, Stöver H, Dolan K, Vickerman P. The perfect storm: incarceration and the high-risk environment perpetuating transmission of HIV, hepatitis C virus, and tuberculosis in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The Lancet 2016, 388: 1228-1248. PMID: 27427455, PMCID: PMC5087988, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)30856-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyHepatitis C virusIncident tuberculosis casesAgonist therapyC virusTuberculosis casesHIV transmissionEECA countriesAntiretroviral therapy coverageHIV transmission riskNew HIV infectionsInjection of opioidsTransmission of HIVSecondary preventionHIV infectionHIV incidenceSyringe programsHIVDrug useLarge burdenTransmission riskTherapyTuberculosisDrugsHigh levelsPrevention of transmission of HIV, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and tuberculosis in prisoners
Kamarulzaman A, Reid SE, Schwitters A, Wiessing L, El-Bassel N, Dolan K, Moazen B, Wirtz AL, Verster A, Altice FL. Prevention of transmission of HIV, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and tuberculosis in prisoners. The Lancet 2016, 388: 1115-1126. PMID: 27427456, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)30769-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHepatitis B virusHepatitis C virusC virusB virusOpioid agonist therapySecondary prevention strategiesBlood-borne infectionsPrevalence of HIVOpioid use disorderPrevention of transmissionPublic health systemAgonist therapyEffective treatmentGeneral populationUse disordersPrevention strategiesPrisoner healthHealth systemInfectionHIVVirusTuberculosisAbsence of alternativesTherapyRisk environmentFactors associated with interest in receiving prison-based methadone maintenance therapy in Malaysia
Mukherjee TI, Wickersham JA, Desai MM, Pillai V, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Factors associated with interest in receiving prison-based methadone maintenance therapy in Malaysia. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2016, 164: 120-127. PMID: 27207155, PMCID: PMC5592792, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.04.037.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMethadone maintenance therapyMaintenance therapyOpioid dependenceDaily heroin useOpioid use disorderLogistic regression analysisMMT initiationDrug use consequencesIndependent correlatesModifiable factorsHIV preventionHeroin useUse disordersParticipant characteristicsMental healthConvenience sampleHIVRegression analysisTherapyStructured questionnaireIncarcerated menMale prisonersUse consequencesLarge proportionPrison population