Change in health‐related quality of life of opiate users in low‐threshold methadone programs

Aim: To assess changes in the health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) among opiate users in the first 6 months upon entering a low‐threshold methadone treatment program. Changes were evaluated from the perspectives of both statistical and clinical significance.Design: A prospective cohort study of low‐threshold methadone participants who had completed interviews at baseline and 6 months post enrollment.Participants: 183 opiate users who started low‐threshold methadone treatment between December 2000 and January 2004.Measurements: Data on HRQOL were collected by a trained interviewer using the SF‐36 instrument to determine baseline and 6 months post treatment scale scores.Findings: Statistically significant improvements were found in the study group for seven out of ten SF‐36 scales: role physical, bodily pain, vitality, social functioning, role emotional, mental health and the mental health component summary scale. At an individual patient level, clinically significant improvements were most commonly obser...