[Evaluation of drug addicts with associated pathology. Clinical and therapeutic aspects of the integral attention]

[Substance use disorder: Epidemiology, medical consequences and treatment]

Substance use is a common health problem, and substance use disorder, which is its most severe presentation, is associated with multiple medical consequences and a negative impact on individual and on population health. Substance use disorder needs to be addressed as any chronic medical condition; therefore, it has to be detected at the early stages and has to be properly treated to prevent drug-related harm. Internists should be able to recognize and treat intoxication and abstinence. Internists should also be able to refer the patient to state of the art long term treatment, aimed to detoxification and treatment induction to promote abstinence and prevent relapse. In this narrative review we will discuss substance use epidemiology, its main medical consequences and its treatment, with a focus on alcohol, opiates, cocaine and other stimulants, cannabis and benzodiazepines.

Welfare Homes for Patients Living with HIV/AIDS in Andalusia

AIMS

To study the AIDS welfare homes (AWHs) in Andalusia, assess their resources and the services provided, and describe the characteristics of their residents.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Cross-sectional, observational study; an interview questionnaire technique was used with the managers and the residents of the AWHs.

RESULTS

A total of 7 AWHs and 96 residents were included; 32% of the staff were health care workers and 45.5% volunteers. The occupancy rate was 86% (2007) and 96% (2008). Residents' characteristics: mean age 45.6 years, 73% male, 92% with at least 1 AIDS-defining disease, median Karnofsky index 60 (50-80), and median Barthel index 80 (40-100). Half the residents had physical sequelae and 31% mental sequelae.

CONCLUSION

The AWHs perform an important role in the care of certain types of patients with HIV infection. They require human and material resources to be able to tackle the immense difficulties associated with this group of patients.