Abstract
This article examines the association between drug use severity and mortality in primary care patients with substance use disorders. In 848 individuals with known vital status, severity was low in 32%, intermediate in 38%, or substantial/severe in 30%. Two-year survival was 93% in the low group, 96% in the medium group, and 92% in the high group ( p = .19). The age-adjusted risk of death for the high-severity group was twice that of the medium-risk group (hazard ratio = 2.00, 95% confidence interval = [1.02, 3.93]). Individuals in the high group were more likely to die from accidents than those in the low- or medium-severity groups (50% vs. 20%, p = .021). Compared with low- and medium-severity groups, age at death was 5 years younger in the high-severity group (52 ± 9 vs. 57 ± 6, p = .017). Premature death due to accidental causes in persons with substance use disorders is a persistent yet complex problem.
Highlights
Persons with psychiatric illness, including substance use disorders, die prematurely and are likely to succumb from injuries or medical causes related to the disorders (Colton & Manderscheid, 2006; Dembling, Chen, & Vachon, 1999; Druss, Zhao, Von Esenwen, Morrato, & Marcus, 2011; Maynard, Cox, Hall, Krupski, & Stark, 2004)
The purpose of this article is to examine the association between drug use severity and mortality as well as cause of death in primary care patients with substance use disorders
The motivation for conducting this analysis stems from the idea that if there were an association, intervening to reduce severity could result in lower rates of premature death
Summary
Persons with psychiatric illness, including substance use disorders, die prematurely and are likely to succumb from injuries or medical causes related to the disorders (Colton & Manderscheid, 2006; Dembling, Chen, & Vachon, 1999; Druss, Zhao, Von Esenwen, Morrato, & Marcus, 2011; Maynard, Cox, Hall, Krupski, & Stark, 2004). Whether these premature deaths are preventable is a critical question. The motivation for conducting this analysis stems from the idea that if there were an association, intervening to reduce severity could result in lower rates of premature death
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
