Graduate Student University of California, Los Angeles, China (People's Republic)
Background: Buprenorphine is regarded as one of the most effective treatment options for opioid use disorder (OUD); however, discontinuation remains a significant problem in improving clinical outcomes.
Objectives: To quantify the restricted mean duration in buprenorphine treatment among individuals with opioid use disorder.
Methods: This retrospective study used administrative claims data from MarketScan Commercial and Multi-State Medicaid databases from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2019. The analysis included individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder who subsequently filled buprenorphine prescriptions. We calculated 2-year restricted mean time spent on various states of buprenorphine treatment, including below the retention threshold, above the retention threshold, off buprenorphine and in follow-up, and loss to follow-up. Retention definitions varied based on different retention thresholds (180 days vs. 90 days) and allowable treatment gaps (7 days vs. 30 days).
Results: A total of 53,355 patients were included in the analysis (mean [SD] age, 37 [11] years; 49% male). On average, the duration of buprenorphine use was 282.5 days (38.7% of the follow-up period). Under the strictest retention definition, only 29.5% of patients were still on buprenorphine after 180 days.
Conclusions: Individuals with opioid use disorder spend limited time receiving buprenorphine treatment. The low retention probability highlights the need for improved strategies for long-term buprenorphine use and provides insight into improving OUD treatment outcomes.
