Effectiveness of take-home methadone treatment among patients with opioid use disorders during COVID-19: A systematic review

Shabnam Naher; Sabbir Pervez; Feroz Ahmed; Odunayo Elijah; Md. Toslim Mahmud; KM Saif-Ur-Rahman

Health Sciences Review (Sep 2024)

Effectiveness of take-home methadone treatment among patients with opioid use disorders during COVID-19: A systematic review

Shabnam Naher,
Sabbir Pervez,
Feroz Ahmed,
Odunayo Elijah,
Md. Toslim Mahmud,
KM Saif-Ur-Rahman

Affiliations

Shabnam Naher: Community Health Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, USA; Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Sabbir Pervez: Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, USA
Feroz Ahmed: Laboratory of Environmental Biology, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12237, USA
Odunayo Elijah: Interdisciplinary Studies PhD, Graduate School, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, USA
Md. Toslim Mahmud: Department of Microbiology, Noakhali Science & Technology University, Sonapur, Noakhali, Bangladesh
KM Saif-Ur-Rahman: College of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland; Evidence Synthesis Ireland and Cochrane Ireland, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland; Corresponding author at: Evidence Synthesis Ireland and Cochrane Ireland, College of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 12
p. 100195

Abstract

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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the global overdose crisis, increased opioid-related deaths and highlighted the need for innovative treatment strategies. This study critically evaluates the efficacy of take-home methadone for patients with opioid use disorders (OUDs) during public health emergencies. Methods: Adhering to PRISMA reporting guidelines, this systematic review scrutinized RCTs and quasi-experimental studies on opioid agonist treatments (OATs), notably methadone, from Medline, Web of Science (core collection), Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus, spanning January 2020 to May 2024. It targeted global patients of any age, contrasting take-home methadone with in-clinic dosing, omitting non-English studies or those solely analyzing program delivery modifications without take-home dose discussions. Key outcomes included emergency room (ER) visits, treatment retention, overdose rates, alongside secondary outcomes like patient health, quality of life (QoL), and satisfaction. Registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023474723), the review prioritized treatment impacts and language inclusivity. Findings: The final search yielded 1,222 records, with two studies included (four records). Despite included only two studies (four records) due to a focused selection criterion, findings indicate overall participant satisfaction with take-home methadone, suggesting its potential as a viable treatment modality during public health emergencies. However, the limited study number and focus on indirect outcome measures underscore the need for further comprehensive research. Interpretation: This review champions flexible dosing, technology integration, and stigma reduction in OUD treatment, urging longitudinal research on take-home methadone's continued impacts. Despite constraints, it enriches OUD management for enhanced public health outcomes, highlighting future research avenues.

Published in Health Sciences Review

ISSN: 2772-6320 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/health-sciences-review

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