Farrell, M.Shahbazi, J.Chambers, M.Byrne, M.Gholami, J.Zahra, E.Grebely, J.Lintzeris, N.Larance, B.Ali, R.Nielsen, S.Dunlop, A.Dore, G.J.McDonough, M.Montebello, M.Weiss, R.Rodgers, C.Cook, J.Degenhardt, L.CoLAB study team,2024-05-072024-05-072024International Journal of Drug Policy, 2024; 127:104390-1-104390-110955-39591873-4758https://hdl.handle.net/2440/140709Available online 23 March 2024Background: The most recent formulation of buprenorphine treatment is extended-release depot injections (BUPXR) that are administered subcutaneously by health care professionals. This study aimed to observe treatment outcomes of BUP-XR delivered in standard practice during a 96-week follow-up period in a community setting. Methods: This study is an extension of the CoLAB study, a prospective single-arm, multicentre, open label trial (N=100, 7 sites in Australia) among people with opioid dependence who received monthly injections of BUP-XR to evaluate the retention in treatment. Participants were followed for 96 weeks, comprising 48 weeks of the CoLAB study followed by a 48-week extension. Results: Of 100 participants at baseline, 47 were retained on BUP-XR at 96 weeks. The median time retained on monthly depot was 90 weeks. Heroin use (adjusted OR=0.19, P=0.012) in the month prior to baseline was associated with lower odds of retention on BUP-XR. Older age at first opioid use (adjusted OR= 1.08, P=0.009) and longer duration in OAT at baseline (adjusted OR= 1.12, P=0.001) were associated with increased retention. Prevalence of past four-weeks opioid use was estimated at 4% at 96 weeks of treatment (prevalence 0.04, 95%CI: 0.00-0.11) compared to 15% at baseline. Quality of life and medication treatment satisfaction improved over time for those retained in treatment. Conclusion: This is one of the few studies to describe long term (96 week) retention in treatment with BUP-XR in a community setting. It displayed retention rates with 47% of participants completing 96 weeks of treatment with BUP-XR. Patient reported outcomes suggest improvements in client wellbeing. Funding: IndiviorenCrown Copyright © 2024 Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).CoLAB study teamOpioid dependence treatment; Retention; Extended-release buprenorphine; Opioid dependenceJournal article10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.1043902024-04-18689247Ali, R. [0000-0003-2905-8153]