Examining the association between pain and opioid agonist treatment status

Aims: We aimed to explore how pain severity changes with OAT (opioid agonist treatment) status in a longitudinal cohort of people who inject drugs.

Methods: Data were drawn from the Melbourne Injecting Drug User Cohort Study (SuperMIX) (2008-2024). Eligible participants were adults who reported ever being in OAT. Pain severity in the past four weeks was reported (no, mild, moderate, and severe pain). Ordinal logistic regression and linear mixed-effect models examined correlates of pain severity and OAT status (i.e. in/out of treatment).

Key Findings: A total of 1,328 participants (mean age: 36.7 years) were eligible for inclusion. Most were male (67.7%) and unemployed (88.4%). At baseline, 65.0% of participants reported pain in the past four weeks. Female gender, older age, sleep difficulties and severe emotional problems were associated with more severe pain. There was no association between pain severity and current OAT status.

Jie Yang | PhD Candidate, Monash Addiction Research Centre Monash University

Ms Jie Yang is a third-year PhD candidate at Monash Addiction Research Centre, Monash University, whose PhD topic focuses on exploring optimal chronic pain management for people with opioid dependence. She is the recipient of the China Scholarship Council (CSC) Scholarship.

Credited Persons

Suzanne Nielsen | Deputy Director and Professor Monash Addiction Research Centre, Monash University

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