1025 - Integrating buprenorphine into an urban HIV primary care practice: Outcomes on viral load suppression and opioid use

Background: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a correlate of poorer HIV outcomes among people with HIV (PWH). Research has shown promising results for buprenorphine (BUP), a medication for OUD, integrated into HIV primary care. In this study, we explored the effect of BUP on HIV outcomes in a cohort of PWH with OUD in Newark, New Jersey.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of PWH on BUP attending the Rutgers NJMS Infectious Diseases Practice from January 2017 to June 2019 (n=91, median age 56, 59% male, 84% Black, median follow-up 1.5 years). Outcomes were suppressed HIV viral load measurements (VLS) or urine drug screening results (UDS). We analyzed data using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression, which modeled associations of VLS or UDS with demographic, comorbid (substance use, chronic pain, HCV, psychiatric diagnosis), and social (insurance, employment, housing) factors. Results presented as odds ratio; 95% confidence interval.

Results: 55% (n=46) of patients demonstrated BUP adherence ( > 50% positivity on serial UDS) and 61% (n=51) had ongoing opioid use. Patients with a UDS positive for opioids (primarily opiates) were more likely to have other substance co-positivity on UDS (5.4; 4.0-7.3, p < 0.001), to be employed (5.4; 2.7-10.7, p=0.01), and enrolled in Medicaid (4.6; 2.5-8.5, p=0.01); and less likely to have BUP positive UDS (0.067; 0.050-0.088, p < 0.001). Conversely, BUP positive UDS was negatively associated with the presence of other substances (0.55; 0.44-0.70, p=0.01) and history of alcohol use (0.56; 0.40-0.79, p=0.05), controlling for concurrent opioid positivity and baseline VLS. At baseline, 39% (n=32) of patients did not have VLS; at 1 year follow-up, one-third (n=11) achieved new-onset suppression. VLS during follow-up was positively associated with BUP adherence (2.9; 1.2-7.1, p=0.02) and VLS at baseline (17.0; 10.4-27.8, p < 0.001), and negatively associated with housing insecurity (0.28; 0.15-0.52, p=0.04).

Conclusion: Integration of BUP for OUD into HIV primary care led to a decrease in opioid use and improved outcomes in HIV care. Multidisciplinary approaches addressing other substance use and social services may help achieve even greater progress in ending the dual epidemics of HIV and OUD.