The long-term outcomes of heroin dependent-treatment-resistant patients with bipolar 1 comorbidity after admission to enhanced methadone maintenance

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the long-term outcomes of treatment-resistant bipolar 1 heroin addicts with peers who were without DSM-IV axis l psychiatric comorbidity (dual diagnosis). Method: 104 Heroin-dependent patients (TRHD), who also met criteria for treatment resistance - 41 of them with DSM-IV-R criteria for Bipolar 1 Disorder (BIP1-TRHD) and 63 without DSM-IV-R axis l psychiatric comorbidity (NDD-TRHD) - were monitored prospectively (3 years on average, min. 0.5, max. 8) along a Methadone Maintenance Treatment Programme (MMTP). Results: The rates for survival-in-treatment were 44% for NDD-TRHD patients and 58%, for BIP1-TRHD patients (p=0.062). After 3 years of treatment such rates tended to become progressively more stable. BIP1-TRHD patients showed better outcome results than NDD-TRHD patients regarding CGI severity (p<0.001) and DSM-IV GAF (p<0.001). No differences were found regarding urinalyses for morphine between groups during the observational period. Bipolar 1 patients needed a higher methadone dosage in the stabilization phase, but this difference was not statistically significant. Limitations: The observational nature of the protocol, the impossibility of evaluating a follow-up in the case of the patients who dropped out, and the multiple interference caused by interincliviclual variability, the clinical setting and the temporary use of adjunctive medications. Conclusions: Contrary to expectations, treatment resistant patients with bipolar 1 disorder psychiatric comorbidity showed a better long-term outcome than treatment resistant patients without psychiatric comorbidity. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.