2023
Leveraging 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
2020
A qualitative study of diphenhydramine injection in Kyrgyz prisons and implications for harm reduction
Meyer JP, Culbert GJ, Azbel L, Bachireddy C, Kurmanalieva A, Rhodes T, Altice FL. A qualitative study of diphenhydramine injection in Kyrgyz prisons and implications for harm reduction. Harm Reduction Journal 2020, 17: 86. PMID: 33129341, PMCID: PMC7603760, DOI: 10.1186/s12954-020-00435-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNeedle/syringe programsMethadone maintenance therapyHIV prevention effortsMental health consequencesDiphenhydramine injectionMaintenance therapyOpioid dependenceHIV transmissionState of euphoriaSyringe programsIllicit injectionSkin infectionsMethadone utilizationStudy participantsHarmful drugsHealth consequencesMethadonePrevention effortsHarm reductionAntihistaminesInjectionFurther investigationKyrgyz prisonsVisible woundsQualitative study
2019
Effect of expanding opioid agonist therapies on the HIV epidemic and mortality in Ukraine: a modelling study
Tan J, Altice FL, Madden LM, Zelenev A. Effect of expanding opioid agonist therapies on the HIV epidemic and mortality in Ukraine: a modelling study. The Lancet HIV 2019, 7: e121-e128. PMID: 31879250, PMCID: PMC7289179, DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(19)30373-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyNew HIV infectionsHigh HIV burdenHIV infectionMinistry of HealthOAT coverageAgonist therapyHIV burdenHIV incidenceBuprenorphine maintenance therapyPublic Health CenterMaintenance therapyHIV outcomesHIV prevalenceHIV transmissionMedication procurementHIV epidemicHealth centersHIV preventionTreatment goalsPWIDOAT expansionDisease controlSexual riskInfection
2017
Why 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 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 trialHIVTrialsInterventionOutcomesAssessment of an Innovative Voluntary Substance Abuse Treatment Program Designed to Replace Compulsory Drug Detention Centers in Malaysia
Khan F, Krishnan A, Ghani MA, Wickersham JA, Fu JJ, Lim SH, Dhaliwal SK, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Assessment of an Innovative Voluntary Substance Abuse Treatment Program Designed to Replace Compulsory Drug Detention Centers in Malaysia. Substance Use & Misuse 2017, 53: 249-259. PMID: 28635521, PMCID: PMC5664175, DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2016.1267217.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCompulsory drug detention centersDrug useTreatment servicesVoluntary drug treatment centresTreatment programMethadone maintenance therapyEarly treatment outcomesCross-sectional convenience surveyDrug treatment centersSubstance abuse treatment programsDrug treatment programsAddiction treatment servicesSevere mental health issuesPast drug useMental health issuesNational Anti-Drug AgencyMaintenance therapyCare centerClient satisfactionTreatment outcomesTreatment centersDrug use levelsHealth servicesInvoluntary detentionSelf-reported satisfaction
2016
Factors 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 populationAttitudes Toward Addiction, Methadone Treatment, and Recovery Among HIV-Infected Ukrainian Prisoners Who Inject Drugs: Incarceration Effects and Exploration of Mediators
Polonsky M, Rozanova J, Azbel L, Bachireddy C, Izenberg J, Kiriazova T, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. Attitudes Toward Addiction, Methadone Treatment, and Recovery Among HIV-Infected Ukrainian Prisoners Who Inject Drugs: Incarceration Effects and Exploration of Mediators. AIDS And Behavior 2016, 20: 2950-2960. PMID: 27011378, PMCID: PMC5035551, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-016-1375-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMethadone maintenance therapyGroup 1Drug useGroup 2 participantsDrug addiction severityAwareness of addictionMaintenance therapyMethadone treatmentExploration of mediatorsHIV stigmaGroup 2MMT treatmentAddiction severityGroup comparisonsDrug addictionHIVHigh rateAddictionHigher optimismDrugsTreatmentParticipantsMethadoneGroupPaper’s key findingsAn Exploratory Factor Analysis of a Brief Self-Report Scale to Detect Neurocognitive Impairment Among Participants Enrolled in Methadone Maintenance Therapy
Copenhaver M, Shrestha R, Wickersham JA, Weikum D, Altice FL. An Exploratory Factor Analysis of a Brief Self-Report Scale to Detect Neurocognitive Impairment Among Participants Enrolled in Methadone Maintenance Therapy. Journal Of Substance Use And Addiction Treatment 2016, 63: 61-65. PMID: 26879859, PMCID: PMC4775373, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2016.01.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMethadone maintenance therapyNeuropsychological Impairment ScaleNeurocognitive impairmentMaintenance therapySex-related HIV risk behaviorsHIV risk behaviorsClinical care settingsNeuro-cognitive impairmentExploratory factor analysisCare settingsImpairment ScaleRisk behaviorsAddiction treatmentBrief self-report scaleImpairmentSelf-report measuresSelf-report scalesPatientsPrincipal axis factoringCognitive functioningTherapyFactor analysisOrthogonal varimax rotationPresent studyPotential utility
2015
Patterns of substance use and correlates of lifetime and active injection drug use among women in Malaysia
Wickersham JA, Loeliger KB, Marcus R, Pillai V, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Patterns of substance use and correlates of lifetime and active injection drug use among women in Malaysia. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2015, 42: 98-110. PMID: 26636885, PMCID: PMC4837957, DOI: 10.3109/00952990.2015.1101467.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNeedle-syringe exchange programsDrug injectionCorrelates of lifetimeDrug usePolysubstance useInjection-related risk behaviorsActive injection drug useSelf-reported HIV statusAgonist maintenance therapyLifetime drug injectionOpioid/benzodiazepineSubstance useInjection drug useHarm reduction servicesDrug use historyHarm reduction measuresPrior criminal justice involvementOAT servicesMaintenance therapyOpioid useHIV statusHIV transmissionRisk factorsCriminal justice involvementHIV riskTreatment Readiness, Attitudes Toward, and Experiences with Methadone and Buprenorphine Maintenance Therapy Among People Who Inject Drugs in Malaysia
Vijay A, Bazazi AR, Yee I, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Treatment Readiness, Attitudes Toward, and Experiences with Methadone and Buprenorphine Maintenance Therapy Among People Who Inject Drugs in Malaysia. Journal Of Substance Use And Addiction Treatment 2015, 54: 29-36. PMID: 25841703, PMCID: PMC4758679, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2015.01.014.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAge FactorsAge of OnsetAgedAttitudeBuprenorphineEthnicityFemaleHumansMalaysiaMaleMethadoneMiddle AgedNarcoticsNeedle SharingNeedle-Exchange ProgramsOpiate Substitution TreatmentPatient Acceptance of Health CareStress, PsychologicalSubstance Abuse Treatment CentersSubstance Abuse, IntravenousYoung AdultConceptsOpioid maintenance therapyBuprenorphine maintenance therapyMaintenance therapyTreatment readinessNeedle/syringe exchange programsSharing of needlesMultivariable linear regressionSyringe exchange programsCompulsory drug detention centersMajority of subjectsReadiness scoresOpioid dependencePatients' attitudesPrimary careMethadoneTreatment settingsStress symptom severityBuprenorphineIndian ethnicityAdult populationSymptom severityOlder agePast monthTherapyDrugs
2014
Buprenorphine Maintenance Treatment Retention Improves Nationally Recommended Preventive Primary Care Screenings when Integrated into Urban Federally Qualified Health Centers
Haddad MS, Zelenev A, Altice FL. Buprenorphine Maintenance Treatment Retention Improves Nationally Recommended Preventive Primary Care Screenings when Integrated into Urban Federally Qualified Health Centers. Journal Of Urban Health 2014, 92: 193-213. PMID: 25550126, PMCID: PMC4338126, DOI: 10.1007/s11524-014-9924-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBuprenorphine maintenance therapyPrimary care providersPrimary health care settingsHealth care screeningQualified health centersHealth care settingsOpioid dependenceHealth centersPsychiatric specialistsUrban Federally Qualified Health CenterFederally Qualified Health CentersOpioid-dependent womenPrimary care screeningObservational cohort studyOpioid-dependent patientsHuman immunodeficiency virusProportion of subjectsHealth care indicatorsHealth care outcomesImproved health outcomesElectronic health recordsUrban FQHCsHepatitis CMaintenance therapyCohort study
2013
Integrating buprenorphine maintenance therapy into federally qualified health centers: Real-world substance abuse treatment outcomes
Haddad MS, Zelenev A, Altice FL. Integrating buprenorphine maintenance therapy into federally qualified health centers: Real-world substance abuse treatment outcomes. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2013, 131: 127-135. PMID: 23332439, PMCID: PMC3674170, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.12.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsQualified health centersSubstance abuse counselingHealth centersBuprenorphine maintenance treatment programCocaine useBuprenorphine maintenance therapyConcomitant cocaine useOpioid-dependent patientsMaintenance treatment programReal-world effectivenessSubstance abuse treatment outcomesElectronic health recordsHCV infectionMaintenance therapyPsychiatric comorbidityMean ageDependent patientsPsychiatric medicationsClinical trialsTreatment outcomesMood disordersFamily practitionersMore weeksTreatment programBMT
2011
Improving Adherence to HIV Quality of Care Indicators in Persons With Opioid Dependence: The Role of Buprenorphine
Korthuis PT, Fiellin DA, Fu R, Lum PJ, Altice FL, Sohler N, Tozzi MJ, Asch SM, Botsko M, Fishl M, Flanigan TP, Boverman J, McCarty D. Improving Adherence to HIV Quality of Care Indicators in Persons With Opioid Dependence: The Role of Buprenorphine. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2011, 56: s83-s90. PMID: 21317600, PMCID: PMC3066190, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0b013e31820bc9a5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAnti-HIV AgentsAntiretroviral Therapy, Highly ActiveBuprenorphineBuprenorphine, Naloxone Drug CombinationCohort StudiesFemaleGuideline AdherenceHIV InfectionsHumansMaleMiddle AgedMultivariate AnalysisNaloxoneNarcotic AntagonistsOpiate Substitution TreatmentOpioid-Related DisordersPractice Guidelines as TopicQuality of Health CareConceptsBUP/NXHIV careOpioid dependenceHIV qualitySummary quality scoresCare indicatorsBuprenorphine/naloxone maintenance therapyHigh-quality HIV careOpioid-dependent HIVRole of buprenorphineObservational cohort studyOpioid-dependent patientsQuality scoresNondependent patientsHIV clinicMaintenance therapyCohort studyBuprenorphine treatmentClinical outcomesMultivariable analysisMedical recordsPatientsCareMonthsHIVImproved Quality of Life for Opioid-Dependent Patients Receiving Buprenorphine Treatment in HIV Clinics
Korthuis PT, Tozzi MJ, Nandi V, Fiellin DA, Weiss L, Egan JE, Botsko M, Acosta A, Gourevitch MN, Hersh D, Hsu J, Boverman J, Altice FL. Improved Quality of Life for Opioid-Dependent Patients Receiving Buprenorphine Treatment in HIV Clinics. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2011, 56: s39-s45. PMID: 21317593, PMCID: PMC3073082, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0b013e318209754c.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSF-12 scoresGeneral US populationOpioid dependenceUS populationPoor health-related qualityShort Form Health SurveyBUP/NXBuprenorphine/naloxoneHIV care settingsOpioid-dependent patientsOpioid-dependent personsForm Health SurveyHealth-related qualityQuality of lifeBup/Mean HRQoLHIV clinicMaintenance therapyBuprenorphine treatmentHIV infectionPhysical HRQoLMental HRQOLHRQoL domainsMixed effects regressionHealth Survey
2007
HIV treatment access and scale-up for delivery of opiate substitution therapy with buprenorphine for IDUs in Ukraine—programme description and policy implications
Bruce RD, Dvoryak S, Sylla L, Altice FL. HIV treatment access and scale-up for delivery of opiate substitution therapy with buprenorphine for IDUs in Ukraine—programme description and policy implications. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2007, 18: 326-328. PMID: 17689382, PMCID: PMC2084072, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2006.12.011.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBuprenorphine maintenance therapyInjection drug useAnti-retroviral therapySubstitution therapyDrug useAddition of methadoneAdministration of buprenorphineHIV-1 seropositivityOpiate substitution therapyOverall health outcomesIllicit drug useCost of buprenorphineHIV treatment accessMaintenance therapyOpioid dependenceHIV casesEntry criteriaTreatment accessBuprenorphineDrug usersHealth outcomesMultidisciplinary teamTherapyGlobal Fund resourcesAdministration
2006
Models for Integrating Buprenorphine Therapy into the Primary HIV Care Setting
Basu S, Rohrberg D, Bruce RD, Altice FL. Models for Integrating Buprenorphine Therapy into the Primary HIV Care Setting. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2006, 42: 716-721. PMID: 16447120, DOI: 10.1086/500200.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBuprenorphine maintenance therapyHIV care settingsMaintenance therapyHIV servicesCare settingsPrimary HIV care settingsSite specialistHIV care providersInjection drug useHuman immunodeficiency virusNegative clinical outcomesPrimary care modelDrug treatment modelAntiretroviral therapyHIV careBuprenorphine therapyClinical outcomesImmunodeficiency virusClinic settingOpiate useCare modelCare providersOpiate dependenceDrug useTherapy services
1999
Nevirapine induced opiate withdrawal among injection drug users with HIV infection receiving methadone
Altice F, Friedland G, Cooney E. Nevirapine induced opiate withdrawal among injection drug users with HIV infection receiving methadone. AIDS 1999, 13: 957-962. PMID: 10371177, DOI: 10.1097/00002030-199905280-00012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPharmacokinetic interactionsOpiate withdrawalMethadone levelsWithdrawal symptomsChronic methadone maintenance therapyNon-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitorSubstance abuseInitiation of therapyMethadone maintenance therapyOpiate withdrawal symptomsRetrospective chart reviewSignificant pharmacokinetic interactionsInjection drug usersReverse transcriptase inhibitorHIV therapeutic agentsAntiretroviral therapyMaintenance therapyMethadone doseChart reviewHIV diseaseHIV infectionIncreased doseTranscriptase inhibitorTherapeutic benefitPatients