USE OF THE NOTTINGHAM HEALTH PROFILE FOR MEASURING HEALTH-STATUS OF PATIENTS IN METHADONE-MAINTENANCE TREATMENT

This study was conducted to assess changes in health-related quality o f life over a 3-year follow-up period in a cohort of 135 opioid depend ent patients using the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) questionnaire. Data obtained at 12 months from 80 patients retained in the programme are presented. In summary, opioid addicts in a methadone maintenance p rogramme for a 12-month period experienced an early and substantial im provement in health-related quality of life. The use of the NHP questi onnaire to monitor changes in the subjective health of opioid-dependen t patients over time provides new insights in the assessment of treatm ent effectiveness of methadone maintenance programmes.