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MacLeod CS, Nagy J, Radley A, Khan F, Rae N, Wilson MSJ, Suttie SA. REPAIRS Delphi: A UK and Ireland Consensus Statement on the Management of Infected Arterial Pseudoaneurysms Secondary to Groin Injecting Drug Use. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2024:S1078-5884(24)00352-6. [PMID: 38663765 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2024.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Consensus guidelines on the optimal management of infected arterial pseudoaneurysms secondary to groin injecting drug use are lacking. This pathology is a problem in the UK and globally, yet operative management options remain contentious. This study was designed to establish consensus to promote better management of these patients, drawing on the expert experience of those in a location with a high prevalence of illicit drug use. METHODS A three round modified Delphi was undertaken, systematically surveying consultant vascular surgeons in the UK and Ireland using an online platform. Seventy five vascular surgery units were invited to participate, with one consultant providing the unit consensus practice. Round one responses were thematically analysed to generate statements for round two. These statements were evaluated by participants using a five point Likert scale. Consensus was achieved at a threshold of 70% or more agreement or disagreement. Those statements not reaching consensus were assessed and modified for round three. The results of the Delphi process constituted the consensus statement. RESULTS Round one received 64 (86%) responses, round two 59 (79%) responses, and round three 62 (83%) responses; 73 (97%) of 75 units contributed. Round two comprised 150 statements and round three 24 statements. Ninety one statements achieved consensus agreement and 15 consensus disagreement. The Delphi statements covered sequential management of these patients from diagnosis and imaging, antibiotics and microbiology, surgical approach, wound management, follow up, and additional considerations. Pre-operative imaging achieved consensus agreement (97%), with computerised tomography angiography being the modality of choice (97%). Ligation and debridement without arterial reconstruction was the preferred approach at initial surgical intervention (89%). Multidisciplinary management, ensuring holistic care and access to substance use services, also gained consensus agreement. CONCLUSION This comprehensive consensus statement provides a strong insight into the standard of care for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin S MacLeod
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Ninewells Hospital, NHS Tayside, Dundee, UK; Division of Systems Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
| | - John Nagy
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Ninewells Hospital, NHS Tayside, Dundee, UK
| | - Andrew Radley
- Directorate of Public Health, Kings Cross Hospital, NHS Tayside, Dundee, UK; Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Faisel Khan
- Division of Systems Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Nikolas Rae
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ninewells Hospital, NHS Tayside, Dundee, UK
| | | | - Stuart A Suttie
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Ninewells Hospital, NHS Tayside, Dundee, UK
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Midgard H, Malme KB, Pihl CM, Berg-Pedersen RM, Tanum L, Klundby I, Haug A, Tveter I, Bjørnestad R, Olsen IC, Finbråten AK, Dalgard O. Opportunistic Treatment of Hepatitis C Infection Among Hospitalized People Who Inject Drugs (OPPORTUNI-C): A Stepped Wedge Cluster Randomized Trial. Clin Infect Dis 2024; 78:582-590. [PMID: 37992203 PMCID: PMC10954343 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of opportunistic treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among hospitalized people who inject drugs (PWID). METHODS We performed a pragmatic, stepped wedge cluster randomized trial recruiting HCV RNA positive individuals admitted for inpatient care in departments of internal medicine, addiction medicine, and psychiatry at three hospitals in Oslo, Norway. Seven departments were sequentially randomized to change from control conditions (standard of care referral to outpatient care) to intervention conditions (immediate treatment initiation). The primary outcome was treatment completion, defined as dispensing the final package of the prescribed treatment within six months after enrolment. RESULTS A total of 200 HCV RNA positive individuals were enrolled between 1 October 2019 and 31 December 2021 (mean age 47.4 years, 72.5% male, 60.5% injected past 3 months, 20.4% cirrhosis). Treatment completion was accomplished by 67 of 98 (68.4% [95% confidence interval {CI}: 58.2-77.4]) during intervention conditions and by 36 of 102 (35.3% [95% CI: 26.1-45.4]) during control conditions (risk difference 33.1% [95% CI: 20.0-46.2]; risk ratio 1.9 [95% CI: 1.4-2.6]). The intervention was superior in terms of treatment completion (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.8 [95% CI: 1.8-12.8]; P = .002) and time to treatment initiation (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 4.0 [95% CI: 2.5-6.3]; P < .001). Sustained virologic response was documented in 60 of 98 (61.2% [95% CI: 50.8-70.9]) during intervention and in 66 of 102 (64.7% [95% CI: 54.6-73.9]) during control conditions. CONCLUSIONS An opportunistic test-and-treat approach to HCV infection was superior to standard of care among hospitalized PWID. The model of care should be considered for broader implementation. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT04220645.
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Affiliation(s)
- Håvard Midgard
- Department of Gastroenterology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Kristian Braathen Malme
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Charlotte Meinich Pihl
- Department of Medicine, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Unger-Vetlesen Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Lars Tanum
- Department for Research and Development in Mental Health, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingvild Klundby
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Haug
- Department of Acute Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ida Tveter
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Inge Christoffer Olsen
- Department of Research Support for Clinical Trials, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ane-Kristine Finbråten
- Department of Medicine, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Unger-Vetlesen Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Olav Dalgard
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Russo TA, Ritchie HR, Schimmel JJ, Lorenzo MP. Dalbavancin Use in Persons Who Use Drugs May Increase Adherence Without Increasing Cost. J Pharm Technol 2024; 40:3-9. [PMID: 38318254 PMCID: PMC10838542 DOI: 10.1177/87551225231205738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Dalbavancin (DAL) may obviate concerns regarding misuse of IV access in persons who use drugs (PWUD) completing treatment for infections in an outpatient setting. However, hesitancy to adopt its use exists due to the cost-prohibitive nature of DAL and perceived issues with insurance reimbursement. Our study looks to determine the financial impact of DAL use in actual, measured cost, and health care utilization, data as well as the effect on treatment completion rates. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort comparing cost information and treatment completion rates of patients who received DAL to a random sample of patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia prior to the institutional availability of DAL. Results: From June 2020 to January 2022, 29 PWUD received DAL. Dalbavancin use resulted in the completion of intended duration in 19 patients (66%) compared with 11 (55%) without DAL. The contribution margin with DAL use was $7180 compared with $6655 without; this was not statistically significant (P = 0.47). Conclusion: Dalbavancin use in PWUD may increase treatment completion, with no statistically significant difference in contribution margins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hannah R. Ritchie
- Department of Pharmacy, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer J. Schimmel
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA, USA
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
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Attwood LO, O'Keefe D, Higgs P, Vujovic O, Doyle JS, Stewardson AJ. Epidemiology of acute infections in people who inject drugs in Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev 2024; 43:304-314. [PMID: 37995135 PMCID: PMC10952783 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
ISSUES People who inject drugs are at risk of acute infections, such as skin and soft tissue infections, infective endocarditis, bone and joint infections and bloodstream infections. There has been an increase in these infections in people who inject drugs internationally over the past 10 years. However, the local data regarding acute infections in Australia has not been well described. APPROACH We review the epidemiology of acute infections and associated morbidity and mortality amongst people who inject drugs in Australia. We summarise risk factors for these infections, including the concurrent social and psychological determinants of health. KEY FINDINGS The proportion of people who report having injected drugs in the prior 12 months in Australia has decreased over the past 18 years. However, there has been an increase in the burden of acute infections in this population. This increase is driven largely by skin and soft tissue infections. People who inject drugs often have multiple conflicting priorities that can delay engagement in care. IMPLICATIONS Acute infections in people who inject drugs are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Acute infections contribute to significant bed days, surgical requirements and health-care costs in Australia. The increase in these infections is likely due to a complex interplay of microbiological, individual, social and environmental factors. CONCLUSION Acute infections in people who inject drugs in Australia represent a significant burden to both patients and health-care systems. Flexible health-care models, such as low-threshold wound clinics, would help directly target, and address early interventions, for these infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy O. Attwood
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | | | - Peter Higgs
- Burnet InstituteMelbourneAustralia
- Department of Public HealthLa Trobe UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Olga Vujovic
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Joseph S. Doyle
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
- Burnet InstituteMelbourneAustralia
| | - Andrew J. Stewardson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
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Brothers TD, Lewer D, Jones N, Colledge-Frisby S, Bonn M, Wheeler A, Grebely J, Farrell M, Hickman M, Hayward A, Degenhardt L. Effect of incarceration and opioid agonist treatment transitions on risk of hospitalisation with injection drug use-associated bacterial infections: A self-controlled case series in New South Wales, Australia. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023; 122:104218. [PMID: 37813083 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transitional times in opioid use, such as release from prison and discontinuation of opioid agonist treatment (OAT), are associated with health harms due to changing drug consumption practices and limited access to health and social supports. Using a self-controlled (within-person) study design, we aimed to understand if these transitions increase risks of injection drug use-associated bacterial infections. METHODS We performed a self-controlled case series among a cohort of people with opioid use disorder (who had all previously accessed OAT) in New South Wales, Australia, 2001-2018. The outcome was hospitalisation with injecting-related bacterial infections. We divided participants' observed days into time windows related to incarceration and OAT receipt. We compared hospitalization rates during focal (exposure) windows and referent (control) windows (i.e., 5-52 weeks continuously not incarcerated or continuously receiving OAT). We estimated adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRR) using conditional logistic regression, adjusted for time-varying confounders. RESULTS There were 7590 participants who experienced hospitalisation with injecting-related bacterial infections (35% female; median age 38 years; 78% hospitalised with skin and soft-tissue infections). Risk for injecting-related bacterial infections was elevated for two weeks following release from prison (aIRR 1.45; 95%CI 1.22-1.72). Risk was increased during two weeks before (aIRR 1.89; 95%CI 1.59-2.25) and after (aIRR 1.91; 95%CI 1.54-2.36) discontinuation of OAT, and during two weeks before (aIRR 3.63; 95%CI 3.13-4.22) and after (aIRR 2.52; 95%CI 2.09-3.04) OAT initiation. CONCLUSION Risk of injecting-related bacterial infections varies greatly within-individuals over time. Risk is raised immediately after prison release, and around initiation and discontinuation of OAT. Social contextual factors likely contribute to excess risks at transitions in incarceration and OAT exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas D Brothers
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Australia; UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, United Kingdom; Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Canada.
| | - Dan Lewer
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Australia; UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, United Kingdom; Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Jones
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Matthew Bonn
- Canadian Association of People who Use Drugs (CAPUD), Canada
| | - Alice Wheeler
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jason Grebely
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael Farrell
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Hayward
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, United Kingdom
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Australia
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Curtis SJ, Colledge-Frisby S, Stewardson AJ, Doyle JS, Higgs P, Maher L, Hickman M, Stoové MA, Dietze PM. Prevalence and incidence of emergency department presentations and hospital separations with injecting-related infections in a longitudinal cohort of people who inject drugs. Epidemiol Infect 2023; 151:e192. [PMID: 37953739 PMCID: PMC10728979 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268823001784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
People who inject drugs are at risk of acute bacterial and fungal injecting-related infections. There is evidence that incidence of hospitalizations for injecting-related infections are increasing in several countries, but little is known at an individual level. We aimed to examine injecting-related infections in a linked longitudinal cohort of people who inject drugs in Melbourne, Australia. A retrospective descriptive analysis was conducted to estimate the prevalence and incidence of injecting-related infections using administrative emergency department and hospital separation datasets linked to the SuperMIX cohort, from 2008 to 2018. Over the study period, 33% (95%CI: 31-36%) of participants presented to emergency department with any injecting-related infections and 27% (95%CI: 25-30%) were admitted to hospital. Of 1,044 emergency department presentations and 740 hospital separations, skin and soft tissue infections were most common, 88% and 76%, respectively. From 2008 to 2018, there was a substantial increase in emergency department presentations and hospital separations with any injecting-related infections, 48 to 135 per 1,000 person-years, and 18 to 102 per 1,000 person-years, respectively. The results emphasize that injecting-related infections are increasing, and that new models of care are needed to help prevent and facilitate early detection of superficial infection to avoid potentially life-threatening severe infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie J. Curtis
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Samantha Colledge-Frisby
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew J. Stewardson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Joseph S. Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter Higgs
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Lisa Maher
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Kirby Institute, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, Wallace Wurth Building, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Mark A. Stoové
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Kirby Institute, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, Wallace Wurth Building, Kensington, NSW, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul M. Dietze
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Jawa R, Tin Y, Nall S, Calcaterra SL, Savinkina A, Marks LR, Kimmel SD, Linas BP, Barocas JA. Estimated Clinical Outcomes and Cost-effectiveness Associated With Provision of Addiction Treatment in US Primary Care Clinics. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e237888. [PMID: 37043198 PMCID: PMC10098970 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.7888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance US primary care practitioners (PCPs) are the largest clinical workforce, but few provide addiction care. Primary care is a practical place to expand addiction services, including buprenorphine and harm reduction kits, yet the clinical outcomes and health care sector costs are unknown. Objective To estimate the long-term clinical outcomes, costs, and cost-effectiveness of integrated buprenorphine and harm reduction kits in primary care for people who inject opioids. Design, Setting, and Participants In this modeling study, the Reducing Infections Related to Drug Use Cost-Effectiveness (REDUCE) microsimulation model, which tracks serious injection-related infections, overdose, hospitalization, and death, was used to examine the following treatment strategies: (1) PCP services with external referral to addiction care (status quo), (2) PCP services plus onsite buprenorphine prescribing with referral to offsite harm reduction kits (BUP), and (3) PCP services plus onsite buprenorphine prescribing and harm reduction kits (BUP plus HR). Model inputs were derived from clinical trials and observational cohorts, and costs were discounted annually at 3%. The cost-effectiveness was evaluated over a lifetime from the modified health care sector perspective, and sensitivity analyses were performed to address uncertainty. Model simulation began January 1, 2021, and ran for the entire lifetime of the cohort. Main Outcomes and Measures Life-years (LYs), hospitalizations, mortality from sequelae (overdose, severe skin and soft tissue infections, and endocarditis), costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). Results The simulated cohort included 2.25 million people and reflected the age and gender of US persons who inject opioids. Status quo resulted in 6.56 discounted LYs at a discounted cost of $203 500 per person (95% credible interval, $203 000-$222 000). Each strategy extended discounted life expectancy: BUP by 0.16 years and BUP plus HR by 0.17 years. Compared with status quo, BUP plus HR reduced sequelae-related mortality by 33%. The mean discounted lifetime cost per person of BUP and BUP plus HR were more than that of the status quo strategy. The dominating strategy was BUP plus HR. Compared with status quo, BUP plus HR was cost-effective (ICER, $34 400 per LY). During a 5-year time horizon, BUP plus HR cost an individual PCP practice approximately $13 000. Conclusions and Relevance This modeling study of integrated addiction service in primary care found improved clinical outcomes and modestly increased costs. The integration of addiction service into primary care practices should be a health care system priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raagini Jawa
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Center for Research on Healthcare, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Yjuliana Tin
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Samantha Nall
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
| | - Susan L. Calcaterra
- Division of Hospital Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
| | - Alexandra Savinkina
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Laura R. Marks
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, Missouri
| | - Simeon D. Kimmel
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Benjamin P. Linas
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joshua A. Barocas
- Divisions of General Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
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Armoon B, Fleury MJ, Griffiths MD, Bayani A, Mohammadi R, Ahounbar E. Emergency Department Use, Hospitalization, and Their Sociodemographic Determinants among Patients with Substance-Related Disorders: A Worldwide Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Subst Use Misuse 2023; 58:331-345. [PMID: 36592043 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2022.2161313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Background: Identifying the determinants of emergency department (ED) use and hospitalization among patients with substance-related disorders (SRD) can help inform healthcare services and case management regarding their unmet health needs and strategies to reduce their acute care. Objectives: The present study aimed to identify sociodemographic characteristics, type of used drug, and risky behaviors associated with ED use and hospitalization among patients with SRD. Methods: Studies in English published from January 1st, 1995 to April 30th, 2022 were searched from PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to identify primary studies on ED use and hospitalization among patients with SRD. Results: Of the 17,348 outputs found, a total of 39 studies met the eligibility criteria. Higher ED use and hospitalization among patients with SRD were associated with a history of homelessness (ED use: OR = 1.93, 95%CI = 1.32-2.83; hospitalization: OR = 1.53, 95%CI = 1.36-1.73) or of injection drug use (ED use: OR = 1.34, 95%CI = 1.13-1.59; hospitalization: OR = 1.42, 95%CI = 1.20-1.69). Being female (OR = 1.24, 95%CI = 1.14-1.35), using methamphetamine (OR = 1.99, 95%CI = 1.24-3.21) and tobacco (OR = 1.25, 95%CI = 1.11-1.42), having HIV (OR = 1.70, 95%CI = 1.47-1.96), a history of incarceration (OR = 1.90, 95%CI = 1.27-2.85) and injury (OR = 2.62, 95%CI = 1.08-6.35) increased ED use only, while having age over 30 years (OR = 1.40, 95%CI = 1.08-1.81) and using cocaine (OR = 1.60, 95%CI = 1.32-1.95) increased hospitalization only among patients with SRD. Conclusions: The finding outline the necessity of developing outreach program and primary care referral for patients with SRD. Establishing a harm reduction program, incorporating needle/syringe exchange programs, and safe injection training with the aim of declining ED use and hospitalization, is likely be another beneficial strategy for patients with SRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahram Armoon
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Douglas Mental Health University InstituteMontreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marie-Josée Fleury
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Douglas Mental Health University InstituteMontreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mark D Griffiths
- International Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Azadeh Bayani
- Student Research Committee, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rasool Mohammadi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Public Health and Nutrition, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.,Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Nutrition, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Elaheh Ahounbar
- Orygen, The National Center of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Center for Youth Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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9
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Allen VB, Bechman K, Klein JL. Bloodstream infections in Injecting drug users: A 15 year prospective single-centre study. CLINICAL INFECTION IN PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinpr.2022.100159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
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10
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Stevenson N, Suttie S, Fernandes E, Rae N. Acute infections in people who inject drugs. BMJ 2022; 379:e072635. [PMID: 36207027 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2022-072635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Stuart Suttie
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee
| | - Eduardo Fernandes
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois Health Science System, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Nikolas Rae
- Infection Unit, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
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11
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Armoon B, Bayani A, Mohammadi R, Ahounbar E, Higgs P. Drug type and high risk behaviors associated with health-care utilization among people who inject drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2022.2120429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bahram Armoon
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran
| | - Azadeh Bayani
- Student Research Committee, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rasool Mohammadi
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Nutrition, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Elaheh Ahounbar
- Orygen, The National Center of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Center for Youth Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Peter Higgs
- Department of Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
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Ozga JE, Syvertsen JL, Zweifler JA, Pollini RA. A community-based study of abscess self-treatment and barriers to medical care among people who inject drugs in the United States. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2022; 30:1798-1808. [PMID: 34469034 PMCID: PMC8885857 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are the most common medical complication of injection drug use in the United States, though little work has been done assessing SSTI treatment among people who inject drugs (PWID). We examined past-3-month abscess characteristics, treatment utilization, and barriers to medical treatment among N = 494 community-recruited PWID. We used descriptive statistics to determine the frequencies of self-treatment and medical treatment for their most recent past-3-month abscess as well as barriers to seeking medical treatment. We then used bivariate and multivariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with having an abscess in the past 3 months. Overall, 67% of participating PWID ever had an abscess and 23% had one in the past 3 months. Only 29% got medical treatment for their most recent abscess whereas 79% self-treated. Methods for self-treatment included pressing the pus out (81%), applying a hot compress (79%), and applying hydrogen peroxide (67%). Most (91%) self-treated abscesses healed without further intervention. Barriers to medical treatment included long wait times (56%), being afraid to go (49%), and not wanting to be identified as a PWID (46%). Factors associated independently with having an abscess in the past 3 months were injecting purposely into muscle tissue (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.64), having difficulty finding a vein (AOR = 2.08), and sharing injection preparation equipment (AOR = 1.74). Our findings emphasize the importance of expanding community-based access to SSTI education and treatment services, particularly at syringe service programs where PWID may be more comfortable seeking resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny E. Ozga
- Department of Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | | | - John A. Zweifler
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California San Francisco-Fresno, Fresno, CA, USA
| | - Robin A. Pollini
- Department of Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Calverton, MD, USA
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13
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Hrycko A, Mateu-Gelabert P, Ciervo C, Linn-Walton R, Eckhardt B. Severe bacterial infections in people who inject drugs: the role of injection-related tissue damage. Harm Reduct J 2022; 19:41. [PMID: 35501854 PMCID: PMC9063270 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-022-00624-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the context of the current U.S. injection drug use epidemic, targeted public health harm reduction strategies have traditionally focused on overdose prevention and reducing transmission of blood-borne viral infections. Severe bacterial infections (SBI) associated with intravenous drug use have been increasing in frequency in the U.S. over the last decade. This qualitative study aims to identify the risk factors associated with SBI in hospitalized individuals with recent injection drug use. Methods Qualitative analysis (n = 15) was performed using an in-depth, semi-structured interview of participants admitted to Bellevue Hospital, NYC, with SBI and recent history of injection drug use. Participants were identified through a referral from either the Infectious Diseases or Addition Medicine consultative services. Interviews were transcribed, descriptively coded, and analyzed for key themes. Results Participants reported a basic understanding of prevention of blood-borne viral transmission but limited understanding of SBI risk. Participants described engagement in high risk injection behaviors prior to hospitalization with SBI. These practices included polysubstance use, repetitive tissue damage, nonsterile drug diluting water and multipurpose use of water container, lack of hand and skin hygiene, re-use of injection equipment, network sharing, and structural factors leading to an unstable drug injection environment. Qualitative analysis led to the proposal of an Ecosocial understanding of SBI risk, detailing the multi-level interplay between individuals and their social and physical environments in producing risk for negative health outcomes. Conclusions Structural factors and injection drug use networks directly impact drug use, injection drug use practices, and harm reduction knowledge, ultimately resulting in tissue damage and inoculation of bacteria into the host and subsequent development of SBI. Effective healthcare and community prevention efforts targeted toward reducing risk of bacterial infections could prevent long-term hospitalizations, decrease health care expenditures, and reduce morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Hrycko
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, New York University School of Medicine, 462 1st Avenue, NBV 16S10, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
| | - Pedro Mateu-Gelabert
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, 55 West 125th Street, Room 625, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Courtney Ciervo
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, 55 West 125th Street, Room 625, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Rebecca Linn-Walton
- Office of Behavioral Health, NYC Health and Hospitals, 125 Worth Street, Room 423, New York, NY, 10013, USA
| | - Benjamin Eckhardt
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, New York University School of Medicine, 462 1st Avenue, NBV 16S10, New York, NY, 10016, USA
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14
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Harris M, Holland A, Lewer D, Brown M, Eastwood N, Sutton G, Sansom B, Cruickshank G, Bradbury M, Guest I, Scott J. Barriers to management of opioid withdrawal in hospitals in England: a document analysis of hospital policies on the management of substance dependence. BMC Med 2022; 20:151. [PMID: 35418095 PMCID: PMC9007696 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02351-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who use illicit opioids are more likely to be admitted to hospital than people of the same age in the general population. Many admissions end in discharge against medical advice, which is associated with readmission and all-cause mortality. Opioid withdrawal contributes to premature discharge. We sought to understand the barriers to timely provision of opioid substitution therapy (OST), which helps to prevent opioid withdrawal, in acute hospitals in England. METHODS We requested policies on substance dependence management from 135 National Health Service trusts, which manage acute hospitals in England, and conducted a document content analysis. Additionally, we reviewed an Omitted and Delayed Medicines Tool (ODMT), one resource used to inform critical medicine categorisation in England. We worked closely with people with lived experience of OST and/or illicit opioid use, informed by principles of community-based participatory research. RESULTS Eighty-six (64%) trusts provided 101 relevant policies. An additional 44 (33%) responded but could not provide relevant policies, and five (4%) did not send a definitive response. Policies illustrate procedural barriers to OST provision, including inconsistent application of national guidelines across trusts. Continuing community OST prescriptions for people admitted in the evening, night-time, or weekend was often precluded by requirements to confirm doses with organisations that were closed during these hours. 42/101 trusts (42%) required or recommended a urine drug test positive for OST medications or opioids prior to OST prescription. The language used in many policies was stigmatising and characterised people who use drugs as untrustworthy. OST was not specifically mentioned in the reviewed ODMT, with 'drugs used in substance dependence' collectively categorised as posing low risk if delayed and moderate risk if omitted. CONCLUSIONS Many hospitals in England have policies that likely prevent timely and effective OST. This was underpinned by the 'low-risk' categorisation of OST delay in the ODMT. Delays to continuity of OST between community and hospital settings may contribute to inpatient opioid withdrawal and increase the risk of discharge against medical advice. Acute hospitals in England require standardised best practice policies that account for the needs of this patient group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Harris
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK.
| | - Adam Holland
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK.,Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield Grove, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Dan Lewer
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Michael Brown
- Division of Infection, University College London Hospital, London, UK.,Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | | | - Gary Sutton
- Release, 61 Mansell Street, London, E1 8AN, UK
| | - Ben Sansom
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield Grove, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Gabby Cruickshank
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield Grove, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Molly Bradbury
- Severn Foundation School, Park House, 1200 Parkway, Bristol, BS34 8YU, UK
| | - Isabelle Guest
- Southmead Hospital, Southmead Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS10 5NB, UK
| | - Jenny Scott
- Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
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15
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Adams JW, Savinkina A, Hudspeth JC, Gai MJ, Jawa R, Marks LR, Linas BP, Hill A, Flood J, Kimmel S, Barocas JA. Simulated Cost-effectiveness and Long-term Clinical Outcomes of Addiction Care and Antibiotic Therapy Strategies for Patients With Injection Drug Use-Associated Infective Endocarditis. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e220541. [PMID: 35226078 PMCID: PMC8886538 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.0541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Emerging evidence supports the use of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) and, in many cases, partial oral antibiotic therapy for the treatment of injection drug use-associated infective endocarditis (IDU-IE); however, long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness remain unknown. OBJECTIVE To compare the added value of inpatient addiction care services and the cost-effectiveness and clinical outcomes of alternative antibiotic treatment strategies for patients with IDU-IE. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This decision analytical modeling study used a validated microsimulation model to compare antibiotic treatment strategies for patients with IDU-IE. Model inputs were derived from clinical trials and observational cohort studies. The model included all patients with injection opioid drug use (N = 5 million) in the US who were eligible to receive OPAT either in the home or at a postacute care facility. Costs were annually discounted at 3%. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated from a health care sector perspective over a lifetime starting in 2020. Probabilistic sensitivity, scenario, and threshold analyses were performed to address uncertainty. INTERVENTIONS The model simulated 4 treatment strategies: (1) 4 to 6 weeks of inpatient intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy along with opioid detoxification (usual care strategy), (2) 4 to 6 weeks of inpatient IV antibiotic therapy along with inpatient addiction care services that offered medication for opioid use disorder (usual care/addiction care strategy), (3) 3 weeks of inpatient IV antibiotic therapy along with addiction care services followed by OPAT (OPAT strategy), and (4) 3 weeks of inpatient IV antibiotic therapy along with addiction care services followed by partial oral antibiotic therapy (partial oral antibiotic strategy). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Mean percentage of patients completing treatment for IDU-IE, deaths associated with IDU-IE, life expectancy (measured in life-years [LYs]), mean cost per person, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). RESULTS All modeled scenarios were initialized with 5 million individuals (mean age, 42 years; range, 18-64 years; 70% male) who had a history of injection opioid drug use. The usual care strategy resulted in 18.63 LYs at a cost of $416 570 per person, with 77.6% of hospitalized patients completing treatment. Life expectancy was extended by each alternative strategy. The partial oral antibiotic strategy yielded the highest treatment completion rate (80.3%) compared with the OPAT strategy (78.8%) and the usual care/addiction care strategy (77.6%). The OPAT strategy was the least expensive at $412 150 per person. Compared with the OPAT strategy, the partial oral antibiotic strategy had an ICER of $163 370 per LY. Increasing IDU-IE treatment uptake and decreasing treatment discontinuation made the partial oral antibiotic strategy more cost-effective compared with the OPAT strategy. When assuming that all patients with IDU-IE were eligible to receive partial oral antibiotic therapy, the strategy was cost-saving and resulted in 0.0247 additional discounted LYs. When treatment discontinuation was decreased from 3.30% to 2.65% per week, the partial oral antibiotic strategy was cost-effective compared with OPAT at the $100 000 per LY threshold. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this decision analytical modeling study, incorporation of OPAT or partial oral antibiotic approaches along with addiction care services for the treatment of patients with IDU-IE was associated with increases in the number of people completing treatment, decreases in mortality, and savings in cost compared with the usual care strategy of providing inpatient IV antibiotic therapy alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joëlla W. Adams
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Alexandra Savinkina
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - James C. Hudspeth
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mam Jarra Gai
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Raagini Jawa
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Laura R. Marks
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Benjamin P. Linas
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Alison Hill
- Population Health Analytics Division, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jason Flood
- Population Health Analytics Division, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Simeon Kimmel
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
- Section of General Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joshua A. Barocas
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora
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16
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Anderson NC, Kesten JM, Ayres R, Hickman M, Amlôt R, Michie S, Lorencatto F. Acceptability of, and barriers and facilitators to, a pilot physical health service for people who inject drugs: A qualitative study with service users and providers. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2022; 99:103437. [PMID: 34600415 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs may experience difficulty accessing or maintaining involvement with traditional healthcare services. This is associated with increased health inequalities and bio-psychosocial difficulties. Embedding physical healthcare services within community-based drug services may provide a practical and feasible approach to increase access and delivery of healthcare. This study explored the acceptability of, and barriers and facilitators to, embedding a pilot physical healthcare service within a community-based drug service in the United Kingdom (Bristol, England). METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with service users (people who inject drugs) (n = 13), and a focus group was conducted with service providers (n = 11: nine harm reduction workers, two nurses, one service manager). Topic guides included questions to explore barriers and facilitators to using and delivering the service (based on the COM-B Model), and acceptability of the service (using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability). Transcripts were analysed using a combined deductive framework and inductive thematic analysis approach. RESULTS The service was viewed as highly acceptable. Service users and providers were confident they could access and provide the service respectively, and perceived it to be effective. Barriers included competing priorities of service users (e.g. drug use) and the wider service (e.g. equipment), and the potential impact of the service being removed in future was viewed as a barrier to overall healthcare access. Both service users and providers viewed embedding the physical health service within an existing community-based drug service as facilitating accessible and holistic care which reduced stigma and discrimination. CONCLUSIONS The current study demonstrated embedding a physical health service within an existing community-drug based and alcohol service was acceptable and beneficial. Future studies are required to demonstrate cost-effectiveness and ensure long-term sustainability, and to determine transferability of findings to other settings, organisations and countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niall C Anderson
- Centre for Behaviour Change, University College London, London, WC1E 7HB, UK; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK.
| | - Joanna M Kesten
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK; Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, BS8 1QU, UK; NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West (ARC West), Bristol, BS1 2NT, UK
| | | | - Matthew Hickman
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK; Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, BS8 1QU, UK
| | - Richard Amlôt
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK; Health Protection Agency, Public Health England, Bristol, BS1 6EH, UK; Health Protection Research Unit in Emergency Preparedness and Response, Public Health England, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Susan Michie
- Centre for Behaviour Change, University College London, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Fabiana Lorencatto
- Centre for Behaviour Change, University College London, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
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17
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Doran J, Hope V, Wright T, Scott J, Ciccarone D, Harris M. Prevalence and factors associated with chronic venous insufficiency, leg ulceration and deep-vein thrombosis among people who inject drugs in London, UK. Drug Alcohol Rev 2021; 41:677-685. [PMID: 34605086 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION People who inject drugs (PWID) are vulnerable to a range of harms, including vascular conditions such as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), leg ulcers and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The extent of vascular conditions has rarely been studied, despite contributing to considerable illness and disability among PWID. We assess the prevalence and associations of vascular conditions in PWID in London, UK. METHODS Survey data from the community-recruited Care and Prevent Study of PWID in London were analysed. Participants were asked about CVI and leg ulcers using pictorial questions, and if they had ever been diagnosed with DVT. Associations between vascular conditions and demographic/drug-use information were explored using univariate and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS Among participants (n = 455), the prevalence of CVI, leg ulcers and DVT was 13% (n = 57), 10% (n = 46) and 23% (n = 105), respectively. CVI and DVT were positively associated with injecting into the groin, while injecting into the leg was positively associated with leg ulcers and DVT. CVI was also associated with not cleaning injection sites and diagnosed hepatitis C virus, and DVT with hepatitis C virus. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The prevalence of vascular problems among PWID in London is very high in comparison to the general population. These conditions are primarily associated with injection into the femoral vein. Use of these injection sites indicates peripheral venous access problems. There is a need to reinvigorate safe injection information provision in harm reduction services, with attention to reducing risk practices associated with venous damage and transitions to femoral injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Doran
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Vivian Hope
- Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Talen Wright
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jenny Scott
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Daniel Ciccarone
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Magdalena Harris
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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18
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MacLeod CS, Senior Y, Lim J, Mittapalli D, Rae N, Guthrie GJ, Suttie SA. The Needle and the Damage Done: A Retrospective Review of the Health Impact of Recreational Intravenous Drug Use and the Collateral Consequences for Vascular Surgery. Ann Vasc Surg 2021; 78:103-111. [PMID: 34474130 DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2021.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The UK has one of the highest rates of recreational drug use and consequent deaths in Europe. Scotland is the "Drug deaths capital of Europe." Intravenous drug use can result in limb- and life-threatening pathology. This study aimed to characterise limb-related admissions associated with intravenous drug use, outcomes and healthcare expenditure. METHODS Retrospective data collection between December 2011 and August 2018. Patients were identified through discharge codes. Admission details were extracted from electronic records and a database compiled. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Science, P < 0.05 denoted significance. RESULTS There were 558 admissions for 330 patients (1-9 admissions/patient), mean age 37 years (+/-7.6 SD) and 196 (59.2%; 319 admissions, 57.2%) were male. Three hundred forty-eight (62.4%) admissions were to surgical specialties, predominantly Vascular Surgery (247). Including onward referrals, Vascular ultimately managed 54.8% of admissions. Patients presented with multiple pathologies: 249 groin abscesses; 38 other abscesses; 74 pseudoaneurysms; 102 necrotising soft tissue infections (NSTI); 85 cellulitis; 138 deep venous thrombosis (DVTs); 28 infected DVTs and 70 other diagnoses. Two hundred and seventy-seven admissions (220 patients) required operations, with 361 procedures performed (1-7 operations/admission). There were 24 major limb amputations and 74 arterial ligations. Eleven amputations were due to NSTI and 13 followed ligation (17.6% of ligations). During follow-up 50 (15.2%) patients died, of which 6 (12%) had amputations (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.04-9.61, P = 0.043). Cumulative cost of acute care was £4,783,241. CONCLUSIONS Limb-related sequalae of intravenous drug use represents a substantial surgical workload, especially for Vascular. These are complex, high-risk patients with poor outcomes and high healthcare costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin S MacLeod
- East of Scotland Vascular Network, Department of Vascular Surgery, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Scotland, UK.
| | - Yashika Senior
- East of Scotland Vascular Network, Department of Vascular Surgery, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Scotland, UK
| | - Jun Lim
- East of Scotland Vascular Network, Department of Vascular Surgery, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Scotland, UK
| | - Devender Mittapalli
- East of Scotland Vascular Network, Department of Vascular Surgery, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Scotland, UK
| | - Nikolas Rae
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Scotland, UK
| | - Graeme Jk Guthrie
- East of Scotland Vascular Network, Department of Vascular Surgery, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Scotland, UK
| | - Stuart A Suttie
- East of Scotland Vascular Network, Department of Vascular Surgery, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Scotland, UK
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19
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Association of skin infections with sharing of injection drug preparation equipment among people who inject drugs. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 94:103198. [PMID: 33744668 PMCID: PMC8373634 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sharing needles and injection drug preparation equipment (IDPE) among people who inject drugs (PWID) are well-established risk factors for viral transmission. Shared needles and IDPE may serve as bacterial niduses for skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). Given the rising rates of SSTI in PWID, we investigated the association of needle and IDPE sharing on incidence of SSTI in a cohort of PWID. METHODS Inpatient PWID (N = 252) were recruited to a randomized controlled trial of an intervention aimed at reducing infections. The primary outcome was self-reported incidence of SSTI one-year post-hospitalization. In this secondary analysis, we assessed two variables: 1) sharing of IDPE alone, 2) sharing needles with or without IDPE, and compared these groups separately to persons who reported no sharing of needles or IDPE via a mixed-effects negative binomial regression model to estimate the effect of baseline sharing behavior on SSTI during follow-up via incidence rate ratios (IRR). RESULTS Participant characteristics: 38 years [mean], 58% male, 60% White, 90% primarily injected opioids, 1.58 (± 2.35) mean SSTI in the year prior to baseline. In terms of sharing behavior, 29% didn't share needles or IDPE, 13% shared IDPE only, and 58% shared needles with or without IDPE three months prior to baseline. After adjusting for co-variables, PWID who shared IDPE alone had a 2.2 fold higher IRR of SSTI (95%CI 1.27; 3.85, p = 0.005) and PWID who shared needles with or without IDPE had a 3.31 fold higher IRR of SSTI (95%CI 2.04; 5.37, p < 0.001), compared to those who did not share any equipment. The number of SSTI at baseline was associated with an IRR of 1.20 of SSTI during follow-up (95%CI 1.09; 1.32, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In this cohort of hospitalized PWID, we found a significant association between baseline sharing of IDPE alone and of sharing of needles with or without IDPE with one-year incidence of SSTI.
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20
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Ananda RA, Attwood LO, Lancaster R, Jacka D, Jhoomun T, Danks A, Woolley I. The Clinical and Financial Burden of Spinal Infections in People who Inject Drugs. Intern Med J 2021; 52:1741-1748. [PMID: 34028966 DOI: 10.1111/imj.15397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs (PWID) are known to be at increased risk of infectious diseases including bacterial and blood-borne viral infections. However, there is limited literature surrounding the burden of spinal infections as a complication of injecting drug use (IDU). AIMS To quantify the clinical and financial burden of IDU-related spinal infections. METHODS Retrospective chart review of adult PWID with spinal infections requiring hospital admission to a tertiary health service in Melbourne, Australia between 2011 and 2019. RESULTS Fifty-seven PWID with 63 episodes of spinal infections were identified with a median hospital stay of 47 days (IQR 16, range 4-243). One-third of episodes required neurosurgical intervention and 11 episodes (17%) required intensive care unit (ICU) admission (range 2-17 days). Staphylococcus aureus was the most common causative pathogen, present in three-quarters of all episodes (n = 47). The median duration of antibiotic regime was 59 days (IQR 42) and longer courses were associated with known bacteraemia (p = 0.048), polymicrobial infections (p = 0.001) and active IDU (p = 0.066). Predictors of surgery include neurological symptoms at presentation (RR 2.6; p = 0.010), inactive IDU status (RR 3.0; p = 0.002), a diagnosis of epidural abscess (RR 4.1; p = 0.001) and spinal abscess (RR ∞; p < 0.001). Completion of planned antimicrobial therapy was reported in 51 episodes (82%). Average expenditure per episode was AUD $61 577. CONCLUSIONS Spinal infections in PWID are an underreported serious medical complication of IDU. Though mortality is low, there is significant morbidity with prolonged admissions, large antimicrobial requirements and surgical interventions generating a substantial cost to the health system. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshan A Ananda
- Monash Infectious Disease, Monash Health, Victoria, Australia.,School of Clinical Sciences, Monash Health, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lucy O Attwood
- Monash Infectious Disease, Monash Health, Victoria, Australia
| | - Reece Lancaster
- Monash Addiction Medicine, Monash Health, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Jacka
- Monash Addiction Medicine, Monash Health, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tanya Jhoomun
- Monash Neurosurgery, Monash Health, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew Danks
- Monash Neurosurgery, Monash Health, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ian Woolley
- Monash Infectious Disease, Monash Health, Victoria, Australia.,School of Clinical Sciences, Monash Health, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
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21
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Dong KA, Lavergne KJ, Salvalaggio G, Weber SM, Xue CJ, Kestler A, Kaczorowski J, Orkin AM, Pugh A, Hyshka E. Emergency physician perspectives on initiating buprenorphine/naloxone in the emergency department: A qualitative study. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open 2021; 2:e12409. [PMID: 33969340 PMCID: PMC8082712 DOI: 10.1002/emp2.12409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to examine the perspectives of Canadian emergency physicians on the care of patients with opioid use disorders in the emergency department (ED), in particular the real-world facilitators to prescribing buprenorphine/naloxone (BUP) in the ED. METHODS We conducted semistructured qualitative interviews using a multi-site-focused ethnographic design. Purposive sampling via an existing national research network was used to recruit ED physicians. Interviews were conducted by phone using an interview guide and continued until theoretical data saturation was reached. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using latent content analysis. Interviews took place between June 21, 2019, and February 11, 2020. RESULTS A total of 32 physicians were included in the analysis. Participants had a median of 10 years of experience, and most (29/32) worked in urban settings. Clinical care of patients with opioid use disorder was found to be variable and physician dependent. Although some physicians reported routinely prescribing BUP, others felt that this was outside the clinical scope of emergency medicine. Access to clinical pathways, incentivized training, dedicated human resources, and follow-up care were identified as critical facilitators for supporting BUP prescribing. Participants also identified a shared responsibility between patients and the ED, including the importance of a patient-centered approach that enhanced patient autonomy. ED BUP prescribing became self-reinforcing over time. CONCLUSIONS Although there remains practice variability among Canadian emergency physicians, successful implementation of ED BUP prescribing has occurred in some locations. Jurisdictions wanting to facilitate BUP uptake should consider providing incentivized training, treatment protocols, dedicated human resources, and streamlined access to follow-up care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn A. Dong
- Department of Emergency MedicineUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Karine J. Lavergne
- School of Public HealthUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
- Employment and Social Development CanadaGatineauQuébecCanada
| | | | | | - Cindy Jiaxin Xue
- Faculty of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Andrew Kestler
- Department of Emergency MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Janusz Kaczorowski
- Department of Family and Emergency MedicineUniversity of Montreal and University of Montreal Hospital Research CentreMontrealQuebecCanada
| | - Aaron M. Orkin
- Department of Family and Community MedicineUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Arlanna Pugh
- School of Public HealthUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
- CASA Child, Adolescent and Family Mental HealthEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Elaine Hyshka
- School of Public HealthUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
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22
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Complications bactériennes chez les usagers de drogues par injection. Therapie 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.therap.2021.01.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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23
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Barocas JA, Eftekhari Yazdi G, Savinkina A, Nolen S, Savitzky C, Samet JH, Englander H, Linas BP. Long-term infective endocarditis mortality associated with injection opioid use in the United States: a modeling study. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 73:e3661-e3669. [PMID: 32901815 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The expansion of the U.S. opioid epidemic has led to significant increases in infections such as infective endocarditis (IE), which is tied to injection behaviors. We aimed to estimate the population-level IE mortality among people who inject opioids and compare the risk of IE death against the risks of death from other causes. METHODS We developed a microsimulation model of the natural history of injection opioid use. We defined injection behavior profile by both injection frequency and injection techniques. We accounted for competing risks of death and populated the model with primary and published data. We modeled cohorts of 1 million individuals with different injection behavior profiles until age 60. We combined model-generated estimates with published data to project the total expected IE deaths in the U.S. by 2030. RESULTS The probability of death from IE by age 60 years for 20-, 30-, and 40-year-old men with high frequency use with higher infection risk techniques compared to lower risk techniques for IE was 53.8% versus 3.7%, 51.4% versus 3.1%, and 44.5% versus 2.2%, respectively. The predicted population-level attributable fraction of 10-year mortality for IE among all risk groups was 20%. We estimated that approximately 257,800 people are expected to die from IE by 2030. CONCLUSIONS The expected burden of IE among people who inject opioids in the U.S. is large. Adopting a harm reduction approach, including expansion of syringe service programs, to address injection behaviors could have a major impact on decreasing the mortality associated with the opioid epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A Barocas
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center (BMC), Boston, MA, USA.,Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Alexandra Savinkina
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center (BMC), Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shayla Nolen
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center (BMC), Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caroline Savitzky
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center (BMC), Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey H Samet
- Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, BMC, BUSM, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Honora Englander
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR
| | - Benjamin P Linas
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center (BMC), Boston, MA, USA.,Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), Boston, MA, USA
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24
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Packer S, Pichon B, Thompson S, Neale J, Njoroge J, Kwiatkowska RM, Oliver I, Telfer M, Doumith M, Buunaaisie C, Heinsbroek E, Hopewell-Kelly N, Desai M, Hope V, Williams OM, Kearns A, Hickman M, Gobin M. Clonal expansion of community-associated meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in people who inject drugs (PWID): prevalence, risk factors and molecular epidemiology, Bristol, United Kingdom, 2012 to 2017. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 24. [PMID: 30940316 PMCID: PMC6446509 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2019.24.13.1800124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Background: In 2015, Bristol (South West England) experienced a large increase in cases of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in people who inject drugs (PWID). Aim: We aimed to characterise and estimate the prevalence of MRSA colonisation among PWID in Bristol and test evidence of a clonal outbreak. Methods: PWID recruited through an unlinked-anonymous community survey during 2016 completed behavioural questionnaires and were screened for MRSA. Univariable logistic regression examined associations with MRSA colonisation. Whole-genome sequencing used lineage-matched MRSA isolates, comparing PWID (screening and retrospective bacteraemia samples from 2012-2017) with non-PWID (Bristol screening) in Bristol and national reference laboratory database samples. Results: The MRSA colonisation prevalence was 8.7% (13/149) and was associated with frequently injecting in public places (odds ratio (OR): 5.5; 95% confidence interval (CI):1.34–22.70), recent healthcare contact (OR: 4.3; 95% CI: 1.34–13.80) and injecting in groups of three or more (OR: 15.8; 95% CI: 2.51–99.28). People reporting any one of: injecting in public places, injection site skin and soft tissue infection or hospital contact accounted for 12/13 MRSA positive cases (sensitivity 92.3%; specificity 51.5%). Phylogenetic analysis identified a dominant clade associated with infection and colonisation among PWID in Bristol belonging to ST5-SCCmecIVg. Conclusions: MRSA colonisation in Bristol PWID is substantially elevated compared with general population estimates and there is evidence of clonal expansion, community-based transmission and increased infection risk related to the colonising strain. Targeted interventions, including community screening and suppression therapy, education and basic infection control are needed to reduce MRSA infections in PWID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Packer
- Field Epidemiology Service, Public Health England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Bruno Pichon
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections Reference Unit, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Thompson
- Public health laboratory Bristol, Public Health England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Neale
- Bristol Drugs Project, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Jacquelyn Njoroge
- Blood Borne Virus Section, HIV & STI Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel M Kwiatkowska
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation of Interventions at University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.,Field Epidemiology Service, Public Health England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Isabel Oliver
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation of Interventions at University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.,Field Epidemiology Service, Public Health England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | | | - Michel Doumith
- King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Infectious Diseases Research Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections Reference Unit, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ellen Heinsbroek
- Blood Borne Virus Section, HIV & STI Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Monica Desai
- Blood Borne Virus Section, HIV & STI Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vivian Hope
- Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Blood Borne Virus Section, HIV & STI Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Owen Martin Williams
- Public health laboratory Bristol, Public Health England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Kearns
- Authors contributed equally to the work and share last authorship.,Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections Reference Unit, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mathew Hickman
- Authors contributed equally to the work and share last authorship.,School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.,NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation of Interventions at University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Maya Gobin
- Authors contributed equally to the work and share last authorship.,Field Epidemiology Service, Public Health England, Bristol, United Kingdom
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25
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Wright T, Hope V, Ciccarone D, Lewer D, Scott J, Harris M. Prevalence and severity of abscesses and cellulitis, and their associations with other health outcomes, in a community-based study of people who inject drugs in London, UK. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235350. [PMID: 32663203 PMCID: PMC7360031 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) are a common but preventable cause of morbidity and mortality among people who inject drugs (PWID). They can be severe, and hospitalisations of PWID with SSTI are rising. The most common SSTI presentations are abscesses and cellulitis. METHODS We used data from Care & Prevent, a cross-sectional community survey of PWID in London. We reported the lifetime prevalence of SSTI, severity of infections, key risk factors, and associated sequelae. Pictorial questions were used to assess SSTI severity. RESULTS We recruited 455 PWID. SSTI lifetime prevalence was high: 64% reported an abscess and/or cellulitis. Over one-third (37%) reported a severe infection, 137 (47%) reported hospitalisation. SSTIrisk factors were: aged 35+ years, injecting once or more times a day, subcutaneous or intra-muscular injections, and making four or more attempts to achieve an injection. Those who reported having other health conditions were at higher odds of having an abscess or cellulitis, with risk tending to increase with number of reported conditions. Half (46%) employed self-care for their worst SSTI, and 43% waited for ten or more days before seeking medical care or not seeking medical care at all. CONCLUSIONS Abscess and cellulitis are very common among PWID in London. We corroborate findings indicating SSTIs are associated with risks, e.g. venous access problems, as well as other co-morbid conditions: septicaemia, endocarditis, DVT, and kidney disease. These co-morbidities may impact SSTIs severity and outcomes. Delayed healthcare seeking potentially exacerbates infection severity, which in turn increases poorer health outcomes and complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talen Wright
- Department of Public Health, Environments & Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vivian Hope
- Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Ciccarone
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Dan Lewer
- Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny Scott
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Magdalena Harris
- Department of Public Health, Environments & Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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26
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Harris M. Normalised pain and severe health care delay among people who inject drugs in London: Adapting cultural safety principles to promote care. Soc Sci Med 2020; 260:113183. [PMID: 32682207 PMCID: PMC7441308 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
In the United Kingdom, increases in premature mortality among the intersecting populations of people made homeless and people who inject drugs map onto the implementation and solidification of fiscal austerity policies over the past decade, rather than drug market fluctuations and trends as in North America. In this context, it is crucial to explore how poverty, multi-morbidity and care delay interplay in exacerbating vulnerability to mortality among an aging population of people who use illicit drugs. The mixed methods Care & Prevent study generated survey data with 455 PWID and in-depth qualitative interviews with a subsample (n = 36). Participants were recruited though drug treatment services and homeless hostels in London from October 2017-June 2019. This paper focuses on qualitative findings, analysed thematically and contextualised in relation to the broader survey sample. Survey participants report an extensive history of rough sleeping (78%); injecting-related bacterial infections (65%) and related hospitalisation (30%). Qualitative accounts emphasise engagement with the medical system as a 'last resort', with admission to hospital in a critical or a "near death" condition common. For many severe physical pain and debility were normalised, incorporated into the day to day. In a context of everyday violence and marginalisation, avoidance of medical care can have a protective impetus. Translation of cultural safety principles to care for people who inject drugs in hospital settings offers transformative potential to reduce serious health harms among this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Harris
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, WC1H 9SH, London, United Kingdom.
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27
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Huyck M, Mayer S, Messmer S, Yingling C. Community Wound Care Program Within a Syringe Exchange Program: Chicago, 2018-2019. Am J Public Health 2020; 110:1211-1213. [PMID: 32552028 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2020.305681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
People who inject drugs (PWID) are at increased risk for developing wounds in addition to skin and soft tissue infections. The University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing, College of Medicine, and School of Public Health collaborated to establish a medical clinic serving PWID attending a Chicago syringe exchange program. A wound care program was implemented to improve clinicians' competence. During October 2018 to August 2019, 24% of all encounters were related to wound complaints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Huyck
- The authors are with the University of Illinois at Chicago. Michael Huyck is with the Department of Health Systems Science, College of Nursing; Stockton Mayer is with the College of Medicine and Department of Infectious Disease; Sarah Messmer is with the College of Medicine and Department of Pediatrics; and Charles Yingling is with the College of Nursing and Department of Health Systems Science
| | - Stockton Mayer
- The authors are with the University of Illinois at Chicago. Michael Huyck is with the Department of Health Systems Science, College of Nursing; Stockton Mayer is with the College of Medicine and Department of Infectious Disease; Sarah Messmer is with the College of Medicine and Department of Pediatrics; and Charles Yingling is with the College of Nursing and Department of Health Systems Science
| | - Sarah Messmer
- The authors are with the University of Illinois at Chicago. Michael Huyck is with the Department of Health Systems Science, College of Nursing; Stockton Mayer is with the College of Medicine and Department of Infectious Disease; Sarah Messmer is with the College of Medicine and Department of Pediatrics; and Charles Yingling is with the College of Nursing and Department of Health Systems Science
| | - Charles Yingling
- The authors are with the University of Illinois at Chicago. Michael Huyck is with the Department of Health Systems Science, College of Nursing; Stockton Mayer is with the College of Medicine and Department of Infectious Disease; Sarah Messmer is with the College of Medicine and Department of Pediatrics; and Charles Yingling is with the College of Nursing and Department of Health Systems Science
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28
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Monteiro J, Phillips KT, Herman DS, Stewart C, Keosaian J, Anderson BJ, Stein MD. Self-treatment of skin infections by people who inject drugs. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 206:107695. [PMID: 31786397 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Persons who inject drugs (PWID) experience high rates of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) and often access emergency or inpatient treatment. However, many PWID do not seek care and self-treat some or all of their infections. The goal of the current study was to examine predictors of self-treatment of SSTI in a sample of hospitalized PWID, and describe methods of and reasons for self-treatment. METHODS PWID (N = 252) were recruited from inpatient medical units at an urban safety-net hospital to join a behavioral intervention trial. The baseline interview focused on past-year SSTI incidence and related treatment, including reasons for not accessing medical care and methods of self-treatment. RESULTS Of study participants, 162 (64%) reported having at least one SSTI in the past year. This subset was 59.9% White/Caucasian with a mean age of 38.0 (SD + 10.5). One-third of these participants (32.3%) reported ever self-treating SSTI in the past year. In a logistic regression model, number of past-year infections (OR = 1.81, p < .001) and positive outlook (OR = 2.46, p < .001) were associated with self-treatment of SSTI. Common methods of self-treatment included mechanically draining sores, applying heat/warm compress, and cleaning affected areas. Continued drug use and belief that infections were not serious and could be self-treated were two main reasons for not seeking professional medical care. CONCLUSIONS Interventions targeting SSTI among PWID should include education on when to seek medical care and the risks of serious infection, and could be implemented at local clinics or harm reduction programs to increase access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordanna Monteiro
- Boston University School of Public Health and Boston Medical Center, 715 Albany Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Kristina T Phillips
- Center for Integrated Health Care Research (CIHR), Kaiser Permanente 501 Alakawa Street, Suite 201, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 USA.
| | - Debra S Herman
- Butler Hospital, 345 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI 02906 USA; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Catherine Stewart
- Boston University School of Public Health and Boston Medical Center, 715 Albany Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Julia Keosaian
- Boston University School of Public Health and Boston Medical Center, 715 Albany Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | | | - Michael D Stein
- Boston University School of Public Health and Boston Medical Center, 715 Albany Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA; Butler Hospital, 345 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI 02906 USA.
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29
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Harris M, Scott J, Wright T, Brathwaite R, Ciccarone D, Hope V. Injecting-related health harms and overuse of acidifiers among people who inject heroin and crack cocaine in London: a mixed-methods study. Harm Reduct J 2019; 16:60. [PMID: 31722732 PMCID: PMC6854679 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-019-0330-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Venous access is a priority for people who inject drugs (PWID). Damage and scarring of peripheral veins can exacerbate health harms, such as skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), and promote transitions to femoral and subcutaneous injecting. Brown heroin available in Europe requires acidification for injection preparation. In this paper, we present mixed-methods data to explore our hypothesis of a link between overly acidic injection solutions, venous damage and SSTI risk. Methods We present a structured survey (n = 455) and in-depth qualitative interview (n = 31) data generated with PWID in London for the Care & Prevent study. Participants provided life history data and detail on injecting environments and drug preparation practices, including the use of acidifiers. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using a logistic regression for binary outcomes to explore associations between outcomes and excessive acidifier use. Grounded theory principles informed inductive qualitative analysis. Mixed-methods triangulation was iterative with results comparison informing the direction and questions asked of further analyses. Results Of the 455 participants, most (92%) injected heroin and/or crack cocaine, with 84% using citric as their primary acid for drug preparation. Overuse of acidifier was common: of the 418 who provided an estimate, 36% (n = 150) used more than ½ a sachet, with 30% (n = 127) using a whole sachet or more. We found associations between acidifier overuse, femoral injecting and DVT, but not SSTI. Qualitative accounts highlight the role of poor heroin quality, crack cocaine use, information and manufacturing constraints in acidifier overuse. Painful injections and damage to peripheral veins were common and often attributed to the use of citric acid. Conclusions To reduce injecting-related injury and associated consequences, it is crucial to understand the interplay of environmental and practice-based risks underpinning venous damage among PWID. Overuse of acidifier is a modifiable risk factor. In the absence of structural supports such as safe injecting facilities or the prescribing of pharmaceutical diamorphine, there is an urgent need to revisit injecting paraphernalia design and distribution in order to alleviate health harms and distress among the most marginalised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Harris
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK.
| | - Jenny Scott
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Talen Wright
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Rachel Brathwaite
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Daniel Ciccarone
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94143-0410, USA
| | - Vivian Hope
- Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Tithebarn Street, Liverpool, L2 2QP, UK
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30
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Moradi-Joo M, Ghiasvand H, Noroozi M, Armoon B, Noroozi A, Karimy M, Rostami A, Mirzaee MS, Hemmat M. Prevalence of skin and soft tissue infections and its related high-risk behaviors among people who inject drugs: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2019.1572805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Moradi-Joo
- Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Cancer Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hesam Ghiasvand
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Noroozi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahram Armoon
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran
| | - Alireza Noroozi
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Psychiatrists, Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmood Karimy
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran
| | - Ali Rostami
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, IR, Iran
| | - Mohammad Saeed Mirzaee
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran
| | - Morteza Hemmat
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran
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31
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Harris M, Brathwaite R, Scott J, Gilchrist G, Ciccarone D, Hope V, McGowan CR. Drawing attention to a neglected injecting-related harm: a systematic review of AA amyloidosis among people who inject drugs. Addiction 2018; 113:1790-1801. [PMID: 29697879 DOI: 10.1111/add.14257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2017] [Revised: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Chronic skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) among people who inject drugs (PWID) can lead to AA amyloidosis: a serious, yet neglected, multi-organ disease. We aim to synthesize findings on the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical outcomes, screening recommendations and challenges to treatment for AA amyloidosis among PWID. METHODS A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). We searched the following bibliographic databases in July 2017: CINAHL Plus, Embase, Global Health, MEDLINE, PsycEXTRA, PsycINFO and SCOPUS. Studies were included if they investigated AA amyloidosis in PWID. Studies were not restricted to location, study type, year or language of publication. Study heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis; we present a narrative review of the literature. RESULTS Thirty-seven papers from eight countries met inclusion criteria. A total of 781 PWID are reported on, of whom 177 had AA amyloidosis. Where disease causality is established, it is attributed to chronic inflammation caused by injecting-related SSTIs. Most (88.7%) PWID with AA amyloidosis had SSTIs. The proportion of PWID with AA amyloidosis at post-mortem ranged from 1.6% (Germany) to 22.5% (Serbia). Biopsy studies reported from 5.26% (Portugal) to 50% (Germany) of AA amyloidosis in PWID with suspected or known kidney disease. Following diagnosis, the typical trajectory for PWID with AA amyloidosis was rapid deterioration of renal function requiring haemodialysis. Treatment difficulties, end-stage renal failure and premature death from sepsis were observed. Good outcomes, including reversibility of AA amyloidosis, are attributed to rapid treatment of the underlining inflammation and injecting cessation. Notably, given the population in question, no studies were published in addiction or harm reduction journals; most (92%) appeared in specialist nephrology and medical journals. CONCLUSION There is strong evidence of an association between skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) and AA amyloidosis. Among people who inject drugs, injecting-related SSTIs are a significant cause of morbidity and premature mortality and there is evidence of increasing SSTI prevalence. Limitations in the literature make it difficult to estimate AA amyloidosis prevalence among people who inject drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Harris
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Rachel Brathwaite
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jenny Scott
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Gail Gilchrist
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, National Addiction Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Dan Ciccarone
- Kings Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Vivian Hope
- Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Catherine R McGowan
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Humanitarian Public Health Technical Unit, Save the Children UK, London, UK
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Harris RE, Richardson J, Frasso R, Anderson ED. Experiences with skin and soft tissue infections among people who inject drugs in Philadelphia: A qualitative study. Drug Alcohol Depend 2018; 187:8-12. [PMID: 29626746 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 01/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To understand how people who inject drugs (PWID) experience skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) and make decisions to seek or delay medical treatment. METHODS We conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews in 2015 with 19 PWID at a syringe exchange program in Philadelphia. We analyzed the data using standard qualitative techniques. RESULTS PWID described adequate knowledge about SSTI, although they could not always implement knowledge about SSTI prevention due to environmental constraints. Participants reported different experiences with incident SSTI. Some sought immediate medical care at initial presentation. Most, however, waited to seek care. Previous positive and negative healthcare experiences, both in general -including stigma and withdrawal- and specific to SSTI, influenced this decision. Among those who delayed medical care, some reported self-treatment, including increased drug use for pain control, and lancing and draining their own wounds. CONCLUSION Reducing the incidence of SSTI and promoting earlier treatment are important public health priorities. Both require ongoing attention and improvements to the environments in which PWID inject and receive care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E Harris
- University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, MPH Program, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Anatomy Chemistry Room 141, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, 418 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Jessica Richardson
- University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, MPH Program, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Anatomy Chemistry Room 141, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; Center for Public Health Initiatives, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Anatomy Chemistry Room 141, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Rosemary Frasso
- Center for Public Health Initiatives, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Anatomy Chemistry Room 141, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; College of Population Health, Jefferson University, 901 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Evan D Anderson
- University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, MPH Program, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Anatomy Chemistry Room 141, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; Center for Public Health Initiatives, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Anatomy Chemistry Room 141, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, 418 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
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Harris M, Brathwaite R, McGowan CR, Ciccarone D, Gilchrist G, McCusker M, O'Brien K, Dunn J, Scott J, Hope V. 'Care and Prevent': rationale for investigating skin and soft tissue infections and AA amyloidosis among people who inject drugs in London. Harm Reduct J 2018; 15:23. [PMID: 29739408 PMCID: PMC5941602 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-018-0233-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among people who inject drugs (PWID). International data indicate up to one third of PWID have experienced an SSTI within the past month. Complications include sepsis, endocarditis and amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis. AA amyloidosis is a serious sequela of chronic SSTI among PWID. Though there is a paucity of literature reporting on AA amyloidosis among PWID, what has been published suggests there is likely a causal relationship between AA amyloidosis and injecting-related SSTI. If left untreated, AA amyloidosis can lead to renal failure; premature mortality among diagnosed PWID is high. Early intervention may reverse disease. Despite the high societal and individual burden of SSTI among PWID, empirical evidence on the barriers and facilitators to injecting-related SSTI prevention and care or the feasibility and acceptability of AA amyloidosis screening and treatment referral are limited. This study aims to fill these gaps and assess the prevalence of AA amyloidosis among PWID. METHODS Care and Prevent is a UK National Institute for Health Research-funded mixed-methods study. In five phases (P1-P5), we aim to assess the evidence for AA amyloidosis among PWID (P1); assess the feasibility of AA amyloidosis screening, diagnostic and treatment referral among PWID in London (P2); investigate the barriers and facilitators to AA amyloidosis care (P3); explore SSTI protection and risk (P4); and co-create harm reduction resources with the affected community (P5). This paper describes the conceptual framework, methodological design and proposed analysis for the mixed-methods multi-phase study. RESULTS We are implementing the Care and Prevent protocol in London. The systematic review component of the study has been completed and published. Care and Prevent will generate an estimate of AA amyloidosis prevalence among community recruited PWID in London, with implications for the development of screening recommendations and intervention implementation. We aim to recruit 400 PWID from drug treatment services in London, UK. CONCLUSIONS Care and Prevent is the first study to assess screening feasibility and the prevalence of positive proteinuria, as a marker for AA amyloidosis, among PWID accessing drug treatment services. AA amyloidosis is a serious, yet under-recognised condition for which early intervention is available but not employed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Harris
- Department of Public Health, Environments, and Society London, School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK.
| | - R Brathwaite
- Department of Public Health, Environments, and Society London, School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Catherine R McGowan
- Department of Public Health, Environments, and Society London, School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK.,Humanitarian Public Health Technical Unit, Save the Children UK, London, UK
| | - D Ciccarone
- Family and Community Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Franciso, CA, 94143, USA
| | - G Gilchrist
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, National Addiction Centre, King's College London, 4 Windsor Walk, London, SE5 8BB, UK
| | - M McCusker
- Lambeth Service Users Forum, Lorraine Hewitt House, Brighton Terrace, London, SW9 8DG, UK
| | - K O'Brien
- Camden Drug Services, The Margarete Centre, 108 Hampstead Road, London, NW1 2LS, UK
| | - J Dunn
- Camden Drug Services, The Margarete Centre, 108 Hampstead Road, London, NW1 2LS, UK
| | - J Scott
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - V Hope
- Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, 79 Tithebarn Street, Liverpool, L2 2ER, UK
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Dunleavy K, Munro A, Roy K, Hutchinson S, Palmateer N, Knox T, Goldberg D, Hope V, Campbell J, Hamilton E, Liddell D, Penrice G, Taylor A. Spore forming bacteria infections and people who inject drugs: Implications for harm reduction. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2018; 53:45-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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O'Halloran C, Cullen K, Njoroge J, Jessop L, Smith J, Hope V, Ncube F. The extent of and factors associated with self-reported overdose and self-reported receipt of naloxone among people who inject drugs (PWID) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2017; 46:34-40. [PMID: 28586701 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Revised: 03/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Overdose is a major cause of death among PWID, and for opioid overdoses naloxone administration can reduce harm. However, globally there is limited national level data on the extent of non-fatal overdose and naloxone uptake. The first national level data on the extent of self-reported overdose and self-reported receipt of naloxone among UK PWID, providing a baseline to monitor the impact of the recent policy change regarding naloxone availability, is presented. METHODS Data on self-reported overdose and receipt of naloxone during the preceding year for 2013-2014 from a national survey of PWID was analysed. Participants who reported injecting during the preceding year were included. RESULTS Participants (3850) were predominantly male (75%); mean age was 36 years. The most commonly injected drugs were: heroin (91%), crack (45%) and amphetamine (29%). 15% (591) reported overdosing during the preceding year. There were no differences in the proportion reporting overdose by age or gender, but overdose was more common among those who: injected multiple drugs; recently ceased addiction treatment; injected with used needles/syringes; ever had transactional sex; had used a sexual health clinic or emergency department and lived in Wales or Northern Ireland. Among those reporting an overdose during the preceding year, a third reported two to four overdoses and 7.5% five or more overdoses; half reported receiving naloxone. Those reporting naloxone receipt in the preceding year were more likely to: live in Wales or Northern Ireland; ever received used needles/syringes; ever been imprisoned; and less likely to have injected two drug types. CONCLUSION These data provide a baseline for monitoring the impact of the 2015 UK policy change to improve take-home naloxone access. Interventions tackling overdose should promote naloxone awareness and access, and target those who; are poly-drug injectors, have ceased treatment, share needles/syringes and whose drug use links to sexual activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte O'Halloran
- HIV & STI Department, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK.
| | - Katelyn Cullen
- HIV & STI Department, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Jaquelyn Njoroge
- HIV & STI Department, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Lucy Jessop
- Public Health Agency, Health Protection Service, 12-22 Linenhall Street, Belfast BT2 8BS, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Josie Smith
- Public Health Wales, Temple of Peace & Health, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NW, UK
| | - Vivian Hope
- HIV & STI Department, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Fortune Ncube
- HIV & STI Department, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK
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Larney S, Peacock A, Mathers BM, Hickman M, Degenhardt L. A systematic review of injecting-related injury and disease among people who inject drugs. Drug Alcohol Depend 2017; 171:39-49. [PMID: 28013096 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-viral injecting-related injuries and diseases (IRID), such as abscesses and vascular damage, can result in significant morbidity and mortality if untreated. There has been no systematic assessment of the prevalence of non-viral IRID among people who inject drugs; this review aimed to address this gap, as well as identify risk factors for experience of specific IRID. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL databases to identify studies on the prevalence of, or risk factors for, IRID directly linked to injecting in samples of people who inject illicit drugs. RESULTS We included 33 studies: 29 reported IRID prevalence in people who inject drugs, and 17 provided data on IRID risk factors. Skin and soft tissue infections at injecting sites were the most commonly reported IRID, with wide variation in lifetime prevalence (6-69%). Female sex, more frequent injecting, and intramuscular and subcutaneous injecting appear to be associated with skin and soft tissue infections at injecting sites. Cleaning injecting sites was protective against skin infections. Other IRID included infective endocarditis (lifetime prevalence ranging from 0.5-12%); sepsis (2-10%); bone and joint infections (0.5-2%); and thrombosis and emboli (3-27%). CONCLUSIONS There were significant gaps in the data, including a dearth of research on prevalence of IRID in low- and middle-income countries, and potential risk and protective factors for IRID. A consistent approach to measurement, including standardised definitions of IRID, is required for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Larney
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia; Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Amy Peacock
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | | | - Matthew Hickman
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia; School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Wurcel AG, Anderson JE, Chui KKH, Skinner S, Knox TA, Snydman DR, Stopka TJ. Increasing Infectious Endocarditis Admissions Among Young People Who Inject Drugs. Open Forum Infect Dis 2016; 3:ofw157. [PMID: 27800528 PMCID: PMC5084714 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofw157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 261] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
People who inject drugs (PWID) are at risk for infective endocarditis (IE). Hospitalization rates related to misuse of prescription opioids and heroin have increased in recent years, but there are no recent investigations into rates of hospitalizations from injection drug use-related IE (IDU-IE). Using the Health Care and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS) dataset, we found that the proportion of IE hospitalizations from IDU-IE increased from 7% to 12.1% between 2000 and 2013. Over this time period, we detected a significant increase in the percentages of IDU-IE hospitalizations among 15- to 34-year-olds (27.1%–42.0%; P < .001) and among whites (40.2%–68.9%; P < .001). Female gender was less common when examining all the IDU-IE (40.9%), but it was more common in the 15- to 34-year-old age group (53%). Our findings suggest that the demographics of inpatients hospitalized with IDU-IE are shifting to reflect younger PWID who are more likely to be white and female than previously reported. Future studies to investigate risk behaviors associated with IDU-IE and targeted harm reduction strategies are needed to avoid further increases in morbidity and mortality in this rapidly growing population of young PWID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alysse G Wurcel
- Department of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases; Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jordan E Anderson
- Center for the Evaluation of Value and Risk in Health , Tufts Medical Center
| | - Kenneth K H Chui
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine , Tufts University School of Medicine , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sally Skinner
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine , Tufts University School of Medicine , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Tamsin A Knox
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine , Tufts University School of Medicine , Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Thomas J Stopka
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine , Tufts University School of Medicine , Boston, Massachusetts
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Hope VD, Parry JV, Ncube F, Hickman M. Not in the vein: 'missed hits', subcutaneous and intramuscular injections and associated harms among people who inject psychoactive drugs in Bristol, United Kingdom. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2015; 28:83-90. [PMID: 26689890 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2015] [Revised: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/07/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The extent of intentional or accidental subcutaneous and intramuscular injections and the factors associated with these have rarely been studied among people who inject drugs, yet these may play an important role in the acquisition bacterial infections. This study describes the extent of these, and in particular the factors and harms associated with accidental subcutaneous and intramuscular injections (i.e. 'missed hits'). METHODS People who inject drugs were recruited using respondent driven sampling. Weighted data was examined using bivariate analyses and logistic regression. RESULTS The participants mean age was 33 years (31% aged under 30-years), 28% were women, and the mean time since first injection was 12 years (N=329). During the preceding three months, 97% had injected heroin, 71% crack-cocaine, and 16% amphetamines; 36% injected daily. Overall, 99% (325) reported that they aimed to inject intravenously; only three aimed to inject subcutaneously and one intramuscularly. Of those that aimed to inject intravenously, 56% (181) reported ever missing a vein (for 51 this occurred more than four times month on average). Factors associated with 'missed hits' suggested that these were the consequence of poor vascular access, injection technique and/or hygiene. 'Missed hits' were twice as common among those reporting sores/open wounds, abscesses, or redness, swelling and tenderness at injection sites. CONCLUSION Intentional subcutaneous and intramuscular injections are rare in this sample. 'Missed hits' are common and appear to be associated with poor injection practice. Interventions are required to reduce risk through improving injecting practice and hygiene.
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Affiliation(s)
- V D Hope
- National Infection service, Public Health England, London, UK; Centre for Research on Drugs & Health Behaviour, Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - J V Parry
- National Infection service, Public Health England, London, UK; Centre for Research on Drugs & Health Behaviour, Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - F Ncube
- National Infection service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - M Hickman
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Hope VD, Scott J, Cullen KJ, Parry JV, Ncube F, Hickman M. Going into the groin: Injection into the femoral vein among people who inject drugs in three urban areas of England. Drug Alcohol Depend 2015; 152:239-45. [PMID: 25913887 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2014] [Revised: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There have been increasing concerns about injection into the femoral vein - groin injecting - among people who inject drugs in a number of countries, though most studies have been small. The extent, reasons and harms associated with groin injecting are examined. METHOD Participants were recruited using respondent driven sampling (2006-2009). Weighted data was examined using bivariate analyses and logistic regression. RESULTS The mean age was 32 years; 25% were women (N=855). During the preceding 28 days, 94% had injected heroin and 13% shared needles/syringes. Overall, 53% reported ever groin injecting, with 9.8% first doing so at the same age as starting to inject. Common reasons given for groin injecting included: "Can't get a vein elsewhere" (68%); "It is discreet" (18%); and "It is quicker" (14%). During the preceding 28 days, 41% had groin injected, for 77% this was the only body area used (for these "It is discreet" was more frequently given as a reason). In the multivariable analysis, groin injection was associated with: swabbing injection sites; saving filters for reuse; and receiving opiate substitution therapy. It was less common among those injecting into two body areas, and when other people (rather than services) were the main source of needles. Groin injection was more common among those with hepatitis C and reporting ever having deep vein thrombosis or septicaemia. CONCLUSIONS Groin injection was common, often due to poor vascular access, but for some it was out of choice. Interventions are required to reduce injecting risk and this practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- V D Hope
- Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, Public Health England, London, UK; Centre for Research on Drugs & Health Behaviour, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - J Scott
- Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - K J Cullen
- Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - J V Parry
- Microbiology Services, Public Health England, London, UK; Centre for Research on Drugs & Health Behaviour, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - F Ncube
- Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - M Hickman
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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