Empirically derived subtypes of opioid use and related behaviors

Abstract

Aims: To identify and validate homogeneous subtypes of opioid use and related behaviors.

Design: Family-based and case-control genetic studies of opioid and/or cocaine dependence.

Settings: Clinical and general community samples from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.

Participants: A total of 4061 individuals (2003 individuals from 835 families and 2058 unrelated individuals) recruited to participate in genetic studies.

Measurements: The computer-assisted Semi-Structured Assessment for Drug Dependence and Alcoholism (SSADDA) was used to assess participants' demographics, medical history, substance use behaviors and disorders and other psychiatric disorders.

Findings: Five homogeneous subtypes were identified, which differed on opioid-related measures, demographics and prevalence rates of substance use and psychiatric disorders. Heritability estimates for the two most severely affected subtypes exceeded 0.60.

Conclusions: An empirical approach based on opioid use and related behaviors can yield homogeneous subtypes that could be of value in gene finding for opioid dependence.