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Background and Objectives: While research on the separate relationships between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and chronic pain, and HRQOL and opioid abuse has been sparse, even less work has investigated the factors associated with HRQOL in individuals who have both chronic pain and meet criteria for opioid use disorder. The data presented in this analysis should allow a better understanding the factors important to quality of life among this dual-diagnosed population.Methods: Individuals with dual diagnoses of chronic pain and opioid use disorder were recruited for clinical research studies at Columbia University Medical Center. Participants (n = 47) completed inventories to assess pain (Brief Pain Inventory), opioid (ab)use, and depression (Beck Depression Inventory). Variable from these and other inventories, along with demographic factors (age, race, sex, pain severity, depressive symptoms, duration of opioid use, route of opioid use, amount of opioid use) were entered into a regression analysis in order to identify the strongest predictors of SF-36 Health Survey score.Results: In the bivariate analysis we found that demographic and drug use variables were rarely associated with HRQOL. Typically, ratings of pain severity and pain interference were the best predictors. In the multivariate analysis, we found that across the several HRQOL dimensions greater Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) ratings of pain "interference" and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores were consistently associated with lower HRQOL.Conclusions and Scientific Significance: These data suggest that insufficient pain management and depression are significant variables contributing to lower quality of life among individuals with chronic pain and opioid use disorder. (Am J Addict 2017;26:815-821). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study sought to determine the relative importance of a range of Bup/Nx doses compared to Bup alone in producing subjective and reinforcing effects.Methods: Heroin-using volunteers (n=13) were transitioned onto daily oral hydromorphone (40mg). Laboratory sessions assessed the reinforcing and subjective effects of intravenous (IV) doses of Bup (1.51, 2.16, 6.15, and 8.64mg) and Bup/Nx (1.51/0.44, 2.16/0.61, 6.15/1.71, and 8.64/2.44mg). Placebo (Pbo), heroin (25mg) and Nx (0.3mg) were tested as neutral, positive, and negative controls, respectively.Results: IV Bup alone was self-administered substantially less than IV heroin, though the two largest doses of Bup produced positive subjective effects, drug "Liking" (0-100mm), which were comparable to heroin (mean difference: Heroin vs Bup 6.15mg: -3.4mm, Heroin vs Bup 8.64mg: -11.3mm). All indicators of abuse potential seen with IV Bup alone were substantially decreased with the addition of Nx. All Bup/Nx combinations produced ratings of aversive effects, "Bad", which were comparable to, or greater than IV, Nx. On three of the four measures of aversive effects, the largest difference is seen with the 8.64 vs 8.64/2.44 condition.Conclusions: This study further demonstrates the ability of the Bup/Nx combination to deter IV use. Although none of the Bup/Nx combinations showed indications of abuse potential, formulations with larger absolute Nx, may be less abusable as they precipitate a greater degree of withdrawal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]