
 The COMBINE study evaluated the effects of acamprosate, naltrexone, and the  Combined Behavioral Intervention (CBI). 
In secondary analyses, our goals were to identify trajectories of any drinking prior to randomization, to characterize subjects in these trajectories, and to assess whether prerandomization trajectories predict drinking outcomes and moderate treatment response.
In secondary analyses, our goals were to identify trajectories of any drinking prior to randomization, to characterize subjects in these trajectories, and to assess whether prerandomization trajectories predict drinking outcomes and moderate treatment response.
 We analyzed daily indicators of any drinking in 90 days  prior to randomization using a trajectory-based approach. General linear models  and generalized logistic regression assessed main and interactive effects of  prerandomization drinking trajectories and treatment on summary drinking  measures during active treatment.
 We identified five trajectories of any drinking prior to  randomization: “T1: frequent drinkers”, “T2: very frequent drinkers”, “T3:  nearly daily drinkers”, “T4: consistent daily drinkers”, and “T5: daily drinkers  stopping early”. 
During treatment, “T3: nearly daily drinkers” and “T4: consistent daily drinkers” had significantly worse drinking outcomes than “T1: frequent drinkers”, while “T5: daily drinkers stopping early” had comparable drinking outcomes to “T1: frequent drinkers”.
Acamprosate significantly increased the chance of abstinence from heavy drinking for the “T2: very frequent drinking” trajectory but decreased the chance of abstinence from heavy drinking for “T5: daily drinkers stopping early”.
Naltrexone differentially improved rates of continuous abstinence for very frequent drinkers.
During treatment, “T3: nearly daily drinkers” and “T4: consistent daily drinkers” had significantly worse drinking outcomes than “T1: frequent drinkers”, while “T5: daily drinkers stopping early” had comparable drinking outcomes to “T1: frequent drinkers”.
Acamprosate significantly increased the chance of abstinence from heavy drinking for the “T2: very frequent drinking” trajectory but decreased the chance of abstinence from heavy drinking for “T5: daily drinkers stopping early”.
Naltrexone differentially improved rates of continuous abstinence for very frequent drinkers.
 Acamprosate benefited very frequent drinkers and  contrary to expectations was associated with poorer response compared to placebo  for consistent daily drinkers who had longer durations of pretreatment  abstinence (e.g., ≥14 days). Baseline drinking trajectories also moderated  naltrexone effects. 
These findings may help clinicians identify patients for whom acamprosate and naltrexone may be most beneficial.
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Request Reprint E-Mail: ralitza.gueorguieva@yale.edu
These findings may help clinicians identify patients for whom acamprosate and naltrexone may be most beneficial.
Read Full Abstract
Request Reprint E-Mail: ralitza.gueorguieva@yale.edu
 
