The Role of Patient-Reported Social Factors in Promoting Buprenorphine Consistency

Abstract

Background: While medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) reduce overdose risk, inconsistent use can lead to substance use recurrence and compromise achieving optimal opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment outcomes. Research is limited on patient-reported perspectives on consistency of MOUD self-administration at home and its related social factors. Objectives: The primary aim was to report on rates of patient-reported buprenorphine consistency among a sample receiving outpatient OUD treatment. The secondary aim was to explore differences in social determinants of health (SDOH) between patients reporting and not reporting lapses in buprenorphine dosing. Methods: This is a secondary analysis from a cross-sectional survey and medical record abstraction study (N=96). The primary outcome was patient-reported buprenorphine consistency, as defined as no lapses in buprenorphine dosing in a preceding 28-day period. SDOH survey items were adapted from the Healthy People 2030 framework. Results: Participants (n= 96) were three quarters female (74.0%); most identified as white (54.2%) or Black (38.9%). Most reported not missing any buprenorphine doses over the preceding 28-days (88.5%). Demographic and clinical variables were similar between buprenorphine consistency groups. Participants reporting no missed doses reported few negative social determinants of health (examples: 90% not needing help reading hospital materials and not being afraid that they would be hurt in their apartment building or house). Discussion: These findings reinforce the known role of SDOH as strong predictors of treatment outcomes for chronic diseases (like substance use disorders), beyond contributions by demographic or clinical variables alone. Conclusions: Future MOUD research should incorporate patient perspectives with the goal of informing patient-centered interventions. Scientific Significance: Promoting consistency in buprenorphine dosing using strategies grounded in patient experience could be an avenue to promote positive OUD treatment outcomes.