The primary objective of this proposal is to compare the effect of two opioid dependence treatment delivery models on improving the HIV care engagement and outcomes in Vietnam. We partner with several key institutions in Vietnam to propose a multi-site, randomized trial of HIV clinic- based buprenorphine/naloxone (BUP/NX) (n=225) versus referral to methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) (n=225) for treatment of opioid dependence in HIV-infected patients new to care in 5 HIV clinics in Hanoi and Hai Phong-epicenters of the Vietnam HIV epidemic. HIV providers will be trained to manage opioid dependence using flexible BUP/NX dosing and take-out schedules. All subjects will receive clinic-based counseling and HIV care. Self-reported drug use, urine drug screens (UDS), and measures of HIV care engagement and outcomes will be assessed through 12 months follow-up. Qualitative interviews in years 1 through 4 will identify lessons-learned to inform national BUP/NX guidelines for scale-up. We will assess the effect of clinic-based BUP/NX versus MMT referral on HIV viral suppression and treatment engagement (Aim 1) and opioid use (Aim 2) at 12 months. We hypothesize that subjects randomized to clinic-based BUP/NX will have greater HIV viral suppression (HIV-1 RNA pcr < 200 copies/mL), antiretroviral therapy initiation, HIV care retention, and decreased opioid use at 12 months compared with MMT referral. We will test these hypotheses using mixed logistic regression models. Annual qualitative interviews with HIV clinic providers, administrators, and patients will document formative implementation strategies, challenges, and best practices to inform national scale-up of clinic-based BUP/NX. The proposed work is the first large-scale randomized trial of HIV clinic-based BUP/NX versus referral for MMT in real-world HIV clinic settings. A successful study is likely to change HIV treatment practices in Vietnam for patients with co-occurring opioid dependence and inform practices in the United States and worldwide.

Public Health Relevance

The proposed research positively impacts HIV/AIDS treatment by testing an integrated treatment delivery model for HIV infection and opioid dependence. If effective, clinic-based buprenorphine/naloxone could reduce HIV transmission through reductions in HIV viral load and drug use. The proposed work advances the National HIV/AIDS Strategy goals of improving prevention interventions for HIV-infected persons and reducing HIV transmission.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DA037441-05
Application #
9488485
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAA1)
Program Officer
Duffy, Sarah Q
Project Start
2013-09-30
Project End
2019-05-31
Budget Start
2018-06-01
Budget End
2019-05-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2018
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Oregon Health and Science University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
096997515
City
Portland
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97239
Springer, Sandra A; Korthuis, P Todd; Del Rio, Carlos (2018) Integrating Treatment at the Intersection of Opioid Use Disorder and Infectious Disease Epidemics in Medical Settings: A Call for Action After a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Workshop. Ann Intern Med 169:335-336
McCarty, Dennis; Priest, Kelsey C; Korthuis, P Todd (2018) Treatment and Prevention of Opioid Use Disorder: Challenges and Opportunities. Annu Rev Public Health 39:525-541
Korthuis, P Todd; Edelman, E Jennifer (2018) Substance use and the HIV care continuum: important advances. Addict Sci Clin Pract 13:13
Korthuis, P Todd; McCarty, Dennis; Weimer, Melissa et al. (2017) Primary Care-Based Models for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: A Scoping Review. Ann Intern Med 166:268-278
Korthuis, Philip T; Lum, Paula J; Vergara-Rodriguez, Pamela et al. (2017) Feasibility and safety of extended-release naltrexone treatment of opioid and alcohol use disorder in HIV clinics: a pilot/feasibility randomized trial. Addiction 112:1036-1044
Nguyen Bich, Diep; Korthuis, P Todd; Nguyen Thu, Trang et al. (2016) HIV Patients' Preference for Integrated Models of Addiction and HIV Treatment in Vietnam. J Subst Abuse Treat 69:57-63