Abstract
BackgroundAlthough research on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has increased in the addiction field, few studies have focused on the determinants of HRQoL changes. This study aimed to describe dependent patients’ HRQoL changes at a 3-month follow-up and to assess whether satisfaction with care can predict those changes among outpatients starting care for alcohol or opioid dependence.MethodsHRQoL was measured with the SF-12 at baseline and 3 months later in a prospective cohort of dependent outpatients. Satisfaction was assessed with the EQS-C early after inclusion. Data on sociodemographics, clinical characteristics and patients’ levels of anxiety and depression were also collected. A multivariable analysis was performed to identify factors associated with HRQoL changes in both the physical and mental component summary scores (PCS and MCS, respectively).ResultsOf the 172 patients included at baseline, a total of 136 patients assessed their satisfaction with care. The mean PCS and MCS scores were initially low, and HRQoL improvement was significant after 3 months for both the PCS and MCS. Never having been married (β = 5.5; p = 0.001) and a lower baseline PCS score (β = − 0.6; p < 0.0001) were associated with significant PCS improvement, whereas being legally compelled to undergo drug treatment (β = − 5.9; p = 0.02) was associated with less PCS change. Higher early satisfaction with care (β = 0.1; p = 0.02) and a lower baseline MCS score (β = − 0.7; p < 0.0001) were associated with significant MCS improvement.ConclusionThe study supported the hypothesis that greater satisfaction with care may predict HRQoL improvement among dependent outpatients. Further studies are needed to understand the factors that affect patients’ early satisfaction to identify areas of improvement and thus improve HRQoL.
Highlights
Given the chronic, relapsing nature of substance use disorder (SUD) [1, 2] and the negative consequences in various life domains affected by drug use [3], there has been expanding interest in measuring patient-reportedMüller et al Health and Quality of Life Outcomes (2020) 18:6 and well-being [7, 8]
Patient characteristics A total of 136 patients assessed their satisfaction with care (79.1%), out of 172 patients included in the cohort at baseline (Fig. 1)
All of the physicians were currently working with patients with substance dependence, and 100 outpatients were screened by a junior physician (73.5%)
Summary
Given the chronic, relapsing nature of substance use disorder (SUD) [1, 2] and the negative consequences in various life domains affected by drug use [3], there has been expanding interest in measuring patient-reportedMüller et al Health and Quality of Life Outcomes (2020) 18:6 and well-being [7, 8]. A few studies have focused on factors associated with HRQoL improvement among the SUD population. The literature has shown that specialized SUD treatment enhanced QoL for dependent patients [9], divergent findings have been reported regarding the predictors of substantial improvements in HRQoL [24]. A published study found that sociodemographic and clinical factors, such as marital status, income and somatic or psychological comorbidities, explained differences in QoL changes between alcohol-dependent twins and their abstinent cotwins [27]. Important to the provision of quality addiction services, patient satisfaction has been found to predict better treatment outcomes, including better physical and mental health [31] and psychological improvements [32]. This study aimed to describe dependent patients’ HRQoL changes at a 3-month follow-up and to assess whether satisfaction with care can predict those changes among outpatients starting care for alcohol or opioid dependence
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