HEALTH-STATUS AT ENTRY TO METHADONE-MAINTENANCE TREATMENT USING THE SF-36 HEALTH SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

This study used the SF-36 general health questionnaire to measure the health status of heroin users at entry to a public methadone maintenan ce programme. Their results were compared to those from the general po pulation and from three clinical groups: patients with minor medical, major medical and psychiatric problems. One hundred consecutive client s were interviewed in the first week on the programme using the SF-36 health questionnaire. Data were also gathered on their drug use, use o f medical services and HIV risk behaviour. The results showed that her oin users at entry to the methadone maintenance programme had signific antly worse physical and psychological health than the general populat ion. Their scores were most similar to the psychiatrically depressed p atients, although they had worse physical health than this comparison group. The gveater the amount of heroin used by clients before enterin g the programme, the move pain they reported. Alcohol and marijuana us e were associated with better social and physical health. The relation ship between general health status and amount or frequency of drug use is not a clear one. Heroin users experience severe emotional and phys ical problems at the rime of entering methadone maintenance treatment.