Association of race and ethnicity with withdrawal symptoms, attrition, opioid use, and side-effects during buprenorphine therapy

J Ethn Subst Abuse. 2010;9(2):106-14. doi: 10.1080/15332641003772587.

Abstract

Some studies report differences in opioid withdrawal between racial/ethnic groups. However, it is not known if these differences are reflected in differential treatment response. Data from National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Clinical Trials Network-003 were used to examine racial/ethnic differences before and during stabilization with buprenorphine. At induction, non-Hispanic Caucasians had higher objective and subjective withdrawal scores and greater opioid craving than minority participants. No significant between-group differences were observed on these scales following buprenorphine. Non-Hispanic Caucasians and Hispanics reported more adverse events than African Americans. Although ethnic and racial differences were observed prior to buprenorphine treatment, scores following buprenorphine treatment were similar between groups.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data
  • Buprenorphine / adverse effects
  • Buprenorphine / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Hispanic or Latino / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Narcotic Antagonists / adverse effects
  • Narcotic Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (U.S.)
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / ethnology
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / ethnology
  • United States / epidemiology
  • White People / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Buprenorphine