Comparative evaluation of craving, sleep quality, sexual function and quality of life in opioid use disorder patients in remission with buprenorphine/naloxone maintenance treatment

Aim To compare opioid use disorder (OUD) patients who continue to use opioids and are in remission with buprenorphine‐naloxone (B/N) in terms of some parameters and to evaluate the relationship between B/N dose and these parameters. Method We included 141 OUD patients in remission with B/N maintenance treatment for at least 6 months, 141 who still used opioids, and 141 healthy volunteers. Substance Craving Scale (SCS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX), and Short Form 36 (SF‐36) were administered. Results PSQI scores and ASEX scores were higher in those who continued to use opiates than in OUD in remission, and in OUD in remission compared to controls. OUD patients with current opioid use also had lower SF‐36 scores compared to both patients in remission and healthy controls. SCS, PSQI, ASEX, and SF‐36 scores were similar when the three groups were examined based on the dosage of B/N (below 8, 8–15, and 16 mg/day and above) use in OUD in remission. Conclusions Quality of life, craving, sleep and sexual functions improved significantly with B/N; however, these effects are not dependent on B/N dosage.