An exploratory study of sex and gender differences in demographic, psychosocial, clinical, and substance use treatment characteristics of patients in outpatient opioid use disorder treatment with buprenorphine.
Anna Beth Parlier‐Ahmad, Caitlin E. Martin, Maja Silobrčić Radić, Dace S. Svikis
Abstract
and Fisher's Exact Tests for categorical variables and T-Tests for continuous variables. The sample was 55.6% women and nearly three-fourths Black (70.7%). Mean days in current treatment episode was 431.6 (SD=244.82). Women were younger and more likely to be unemployed, identify as a sexual minority, and live alone with children than men. More women than men had a psychiatric comorbidity. Women reported more prescription opioid misuse while men had more heroin only opioid use. More men reported comorbid alcohol use and a history of drug overdose. One-third of participants reported recent discrimination in a healthcare setting due to substance use. As buprenorphine-based outpatient treatment programs continue to expand, present study findings support evaluation of the unique needs of men and women in order to better tailor OUD-related services and improve treatment outcomes.