Current Injection Drug Use Research Articles

Mental health among transgender women living with HIV in Canada: findings from a national community-based research study

ABSTRACT Antiretroviral therapy adherence among transgender (trans) women living with HIV (WLWH) is negatively impacted by depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Yet, little is known about factors associated with depression or PTSD among trans WLWH. Using cross-sectional data from a national community-based study of 1422 WLWH (n = 53 trans women), we characterized the prevalence of depressive and PTSD symptoms among trans WLWH and examined associations between factors (e.g., Trans stigma) and depressive and PTSD symptoms. Nearly half of participants reported clinically significant PTSD (45.3%) and depressive symptoms (45.3%) [mean Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Civilian Checklist Version-C score 13.8 (SD = 5.8); mean Center for Epidemiological Studies – Depression score 9.4 (SD = 8.0)]. Univariate linear regression analyses showed that <95% adherence, higher internalized HIV-related stigma, frequency of past-month hazardous alcohol use, and current injection drug use were significantly associated with both higher PTSD and depressive symptom scores, and higher resilience and social support with lower scores. A history of violence in adulthood was associated with higher depressive symptoms scores, whereas sexual relationship power and less difficulty meeting housing costs were associated with lower scores. Findings suggest a need for multi-level interventions to reduce barriers to mental wellbeing while fostering resilience and social support.

Characterizing latent classes of social support among persons who inject drugs

BackgroundSocial network members influence risk and health behaviors, yet little is known about the support that persons who inject drugs (PWID) receive from their closest ties. Methods970 participants from the AIDS Linked to the IntraVenous Experience (ALIVE) study completed a social network survey between April 2016 and June 2017 about their five closest ties. Our analysis: 1) identified latent classes of support received by participants; 2) determined whether class membership differed by current (≤12 months) vs. former (>12 months) injection drug use; 3) compared classes of support by individual and network characteristics. Results970 participants listed 3,388 network members. We identified three support classes: (1) Moderate (n = 249): probabilities of support <0.40; (2) High (n = 366): probabilities of support 0.58-0.82; (3) Very high (n = 355): probabilities of support 0.91-0.99. In adjusted analysis compared to moderate support, the odds of high and very high support increased as the mean age of network members increased (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]:1.03; 95 % CI: 1.01, 1.05) and as the number of network members with whom they interacted daily increased (AOR-high: 1.33; 95 % CI:1.14, 1.56 and AOR-very high: 1.54; 95 % CI: 1.30, 1.83). While current injection drug use was associated with lower unadjusted odds of high and very high support, the associations were not statistically significant in adjusted analysis. ConclusionsSupport was higher among networks of older ties and more frequent interaction, but differences did not appear to be driven by injection drug use status. Findings point to the importance of the closest social ties.

Trends in Hepatitis B Infection and Immunity Among Women of Childbearing Age in the United States.

The current opioid injection drug use epidemic has been associated with an increase in hepatitis C virus infections among women of childbearing age in the United States, but changes in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections have not been studied. A retrospective analysis of HBV statuses among women of childbearing age nationally and by state was conducted, utilizing the Quest Diagnostics database. Rates of HBV in women born before and after the implementation of universal HBV vaccination recommendations were determined. We identified 8 871 965 women tested for HBV from 2011-2017. Nationally, the annual rate of acute HBV infections was stable, but rates increased in Kentucky, Alabama, and Indiana (P < .03). The national prevalence of new, chronic HBV diagnoses decreased significantly, from 0.83% in 2011 to 0.19% in 2017 (P < .0001), but increased in Mississippi, Kentucky, and West Virginia (P ≤ .05). A declining prevalence of HBV seroprotection was evident over time, especially within the birth-dose cohort (which dropped from 48.5% to 38.5%; P < .0001). National rates of newly diagnosed acute and chronic HBV infections declined or were stable overall, but increased significantly in specific Appalachian states. The HBV vaccine is effective in decreasing infections, but seroprotection wanes over time. These trends in new infections may be related to increased injection drug use and highlight potential gaps in HBV vaccine protection.

Urban, individuals of color are impacted by fentanyl-contaminated heroin

The present phase of the overdose epidemic is characterized by fentanyl-contaminated heroin, particularly in the eastern United States (U.S.). However, there is little research examining how changes in drug potency are affecting urban, racial minority individuals who have been affected by both the “old” epidemic of the 1940s through 1980s, as well as the “new” present day epidemic. A focus on the drug using experiences of racial minorities is needed to avoid perpetuating discriminatory responses to drug use in communities of color, which have characterized past U.S. policies. This qualitative study was conducted from March through June 2018 to examine recent experiences of urban, individuals of color who inject drugs to assess the impact of the current overdose epidemic on this understudied population. Interviews were conducted with 25 people who reported current injection drug use. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a general inductive approach to identify major themes. Fifteen of 25 participants reported experiencing a non-fatal overdose in the past two years; eight suspected their overdose was fentanyl-related. Likewise, 15 had ever witnessed someone else overdose at least once. Overdoses that required multiple doses of naloxone were also reported. Participants employed several methods to attempt to detect the presence of fentanyl in their drugs, with varying degrees of success. Carrying naloxone and utilizing trusted drug sellers (often those who also use) were strategies used to minimize risk of overdose. Contaminated heroin and increased risk for overdose was often encountered when trusted sources were unavailable. This population is suffering from high rates of recent overdose. Removal of trusted drug sources from a community may inadvertently increase overdose risk. Ensuring access to harm reduction resources (naloxone, drug testing strips) will remain important for addressing ever-increasing rates of overdose among all populations affected.

Willingness to participate in hepatitis C vaccine trials among socially marginalized people who use drugs

A major complicating factor for hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine clinical trial design and implementation is engagement and retention of people who use drugs (PWUD). Informed willingness to participate (WTP) in vaccine trials has emerged as a critical issue to describe, understand, and promote among populations at increased risk of communicable disease incidence. The present study addressed this topic by examining correlates of WTP among 320 socially marginalized PWUD as part of the Edmonton Drug Use and Health Survey (EDUHS). WTP was analyzed in relation to: gender, age, housing stability, ethnicity; self-reported hospital care in the past six months, self-reported injection drug use in the past 6 months, lifetime addiction treatment for alcohol or drugs, severity of drug use problems, and unmet healthcare needs. EDUHS participants reported high rates of current injection drug use (91%), and about two-thirds (67.3%) reported a lifetime HCV positive status. HCV positive respondents were older, had more severe substance use problems, and reported injecting drugs more frequently, compared to HCV negative respondents. Among the subsample of HCV negative respondents, 81% affirmed that they would be willing to enroll in a HCV vaccine prevention trial. Those reporting WTP were more likely to have had a recent hospital admission, to report more total unmet healthcare needs, and greater unmet needs for information, hospital care, and counseling, compared to HCV negative respondents not willing to enroll in a vaccine trial. No association was observed between WTP and other assessed variables. Results suggest that connecting PWUD not infected with HCV to local healthcare resources may be important in motivating vaccine trial participation.

M109 - DNA METHYLATION MARKERS ASSOCIATED WITH INJECTION DRUG USE STATUS AND HIV INFECTION AMONG CHRONIC INJECTION DRUG USERS IN THE ALIVE STUDY

Background Injection Drug Use (IDU) is associated with biological modification of the genome, i.e., epigenetics marks such as DNA methylation and histone modification. However, the biological mechanisms of how substance use and cessation affects epigenetic outcomes remain largely unknown. Methods In the AIDS Linked to the Intravenous Experience (ALIVE) study, blood was obtained from 288 current IDUs, resampled after cessation and then again after relapse (total samples=774). Blood DNA methylation marks were measured using the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip. Standard procedures in the minfi R package were used to preprocess raw Illumina image files into noob processed methylation beta values. Differences in DNA methylation at individual probes by current injection status were tested using generalized linear regression including age, gender, race and cell heterogeneity as covariates. DNA methylation age was estimated for study subjects using the epigenetic clock method developed by Horvath et al. Results DNA methylation at individual loci (cg10801015, p=2.47⁎10^(-11); cg11415166, p=5.15⁎10^(-10); cg03426703, p=2.62⁎10^(-9); cg14977491, p=9.94⁎10^(-8) is significantly associated with current injection drug use status after correction for multiple testing. Those CpG sites were near the PDP1, NARFL, DVL2 and PFN2 genes correspondingly. Single-site epigenetic analysis of HIV status was also performed. HIV positive individual's average biological age is about 3 years older than their chronological age, but the biological age among HIV negative individuals, injection drug users and non-users is no different from their chronological age. Discussion In a preliminary study, we performed a genome-wide scan of methylation changes in a longitudinal study of injection drug use and identified genomic locations exhibiting significant changes in peripheral DNA methylation associated with injection drug use status. Individuals with HIV infection's biological age is older than their chronological age, which is consistent with the literature.

Increased hepatitis C virus co-infection and injection drug use in HIV-infected fishermen in Myanmar

BackgroundIn Southeast Asia, though fishermen are known to be a key population at high risk of HIV, little is known about their co-infection rates with Hepatitis C virus (HCV), or how illness and risk behaviors vary by occupation or type of fishermen. In Myanmar, this lack of knowledge is particularly acute, despite the fact that much of the country’s border is coastline.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis to assess clinical, demographic, and risk characteristics of HIV-infected, ≥15-year-old males under HIV care from 2004 to 2014. Subgroups of fishermen were categorized according to the location of fishing activities, boat ownership, and length of time at sea. Generalized linear models assessed odds of high risk behaviors, including MSM (men who have sex with men), transactional sex, injection drug use (IDU), and HCV co-infection among international, local subsistence, and national migrant fishermen.ResultsOf 2798 adult males who enrolled in HIV care between 2004 and 2014, 41.9% (n = 1172) were fishermen. Among these, migrants had the highest odds of engaging in risk behaviors such as sex work (Myanmar national migrants: OR 3.26 95% CI: 2.20 to 4.83), and injecting drugs (international migrants: OR 2.93, 95% CI: 1.22 to 3.87) when compared to the general male HIV clinic population. 15.9% of all fishermen reported past or current IDU (23.0% of international migrants). 22.8% of all fishermen were also co-infected with HCV, and though predictably injectors had the highest odds (OR 20.1, 95% CI: 13.7 to 29.5), even after controlling for other risk factors, fishermen retained higher odds (OR 2.37 95% CI: 1.70 to 3.32).ConclusionsHIV positive fishermen in Myanmar had higher odds of HCV co-infection. They also disproportionally injected drugs and engaged in transactional sex more than other patients. This is especially pronounced among international migrant fishermen. HIV-infected fishermen should be counseled on high risk activities, screened for HCV, and targeted by harm reduction programs.

LB9. Rising High Rate of Invasive Group A Streptococcus Infections Among Persons Experiencing Homelessness in San Francisco, 2010–2017

BackgroundRates of invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) disease in the United States have risen since 2014; reasons remain unclear. Outbreaks of iGAS infection among persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) and persons who inject drugs in Europe, Canada, and the United States have been described. Using active, population-based surveillance data from California’s Emerging Infections Program, we describe incidence trends and characteristics of iGAS infection among PEH and persons not experiencing homelessness (PNEH) in San Francisco (SF) County during 2010–2017.MethodsWe defined an iGAS case as infection with GAS isolated from a normally sterile site (e.g., blood) in an SF resident. We calculated annual iGAS disease incidence rates (cases per 100,000 population) for PEH and PNEH using denominators from SF’s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing and the State of California Department of Finance. Demographic, clinical, and exposure characteristics of PEH and PNEH were compared by chi-square or t-test.ResultsWe identified 673 iGAS cases in SF during 2010–2017. Among these, 34% (229/673) were among PEH. Annual iGAS incidence among PEH rose from ~300 (2010–2014) to 547 (95% CI: 379–714) per 100,000 in 2017 (P < 0.001, Cochran-Armitage trend test); rates peaked at 758 (95% CI: 561–955) in 2016. Annual iGAS incidence in PNEH rose from a mean of 5 in 2010–2013 to 9.3 (95% CI: 7.3–11.4) per 100,000 in 2017 (P < 0.001). Annual iGAS incidence in PEH was 42–72 times that in PNEH. PEH with iGAS infections were significantly younger and more likely to be male, white, and uninsured or enrolled in Medicaid (P < 0.05 for each) compared with PNEH with iGAS disease. Case fatality ratios, ICU admission, infection type, and length of hospital stay did not differ significantly. Smoking, current injection drug use, current alcohol abuse, and AIDS diagnosis were significantly more common among PEH with iGAS. Obesity, diabetes, and cancer were significantly more common among PNEH with iGAS.ConclusionIn San Francisco, iGAS rates among both PEH and PNEH have risen significantly. Incidence of iGAS is strikingly higher in PEH than in PNEH and exposures differed between PEH and PNEH with iGAS. This information could inform development of disease control and prevention strategies.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Previous incarceration impacts access to hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment among HIV-HCV co-infected patients in Canada.

IntroductionThe prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is far higher in prison settings than in the general population; thus, micro‐elimination strategies must target people in prison to eliminate HCV. We aimed to examine incarceration patterns and determine whether incarceration impacts HCV treatment uptake among Canadian HIV‐HCV co‐infected individuals in the direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) era.MethodsThe Canadian Co‐Infection Cohort prospectively follows HIV‐HCV co‐infected people from 18 centres. HCV RNA‐positive participants with available baseline information on incarceration history were included and followed from 21 November 2013 (when second‐generation DAAs were approved by Health Canada) until 30 June 2017. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the effect of time‐updated incarceration status on time to treatment uptake, adjusting for patient‐level characteristics known to be associated with treatment uptake in the DAA era.ResultsOverall, 1433 participants (1032/72% men) were included; 67% had a history of incarceration and 39% were re‐incarcerated at least once. Compared to those never incarcerated, previously incarcerated participants were more likely to be Indigenous, earn <$1500 CAD/month, report current or past injection drug use and have poorly controlled HIV. There were 339 second‐generation DAA treatment initiations during follow‐up (18/100 person‐years). Overall, 48% of participants never incarcerated were treated (27/100 person‐years) compared to only 31% of previously incarcerated participants (15/100 person‐years). Sustained virologic response (SVR) rates at 12 weeks were 95% and 92% respectively. After adjusting for other factors, participants with a history of incarceration (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5 to 0.9) were less likely to initiate treatment, as were those with a monthly income <$1500 (aHR: 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5 to 0.9) or who reported current injection drug use (aHR: 0.7, 95% CI: 0.4 to 1.0). Participants with undetectable HIV RNA (aHR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.6 to 2.9) or significant fibrosis (aHR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2 to 1.9) were more likely to initiate treatment.ConclusionsThe majority of HIV‐HCV co‐infected persons had a history of incarceration. Those previously incarcerated were 30% less likely to access treatment in the DAA era even after accounting for several patient‐level characteristics. With SVR rates above 90%, HCV elimination may be possible if treatment is expanded for this vulnerable and neglected group.

Factors Associated with the Separate and Concurrent Experiences of Food and Housing Insecurity Among Women Living with HIV in Canada.

People living with HIV are disproportionately affected by food and housing insecurity. We assessed factors associated with experiencing food and/or housing insecurity among women living with HIV (WLHIV) in Canada. In our sample of WLHIV (N = 1403) 65% reported an income less than $20,000 per year. Most (78.69%) participants reported food and/or housing insecurity: 27.16% reported experiencing food insecurity alone, 14.26% reported housing insecurity alone, and 37.28% reported experiencing food and housing insecurity concurrently. In adjusted multivariable logistic regression analyses, experiencing concurrent food and housing insecurity was associated with: lower income, Black ethnicity versus White, province of residence, current injection drug use, lower resilience, HIV-related stigma, and racial discrimination. Findings underscore the urgent need for health professionals to assess for food and housing insecurity, to address the root causes of poverty, and for federal policy to allocate resources to ameliorate economic insecurity for WLHIV in Canada.

Outcomes of Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy in Patients With Injection Drug Use

Historically, there has been a restrictive approach toward outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) in patients with injection drug use (IDU) due to the fear that they might utilize the intravenous catheter to inject illicit substances. We tested the hypothesis that patients with current IDU on OPAT would have less favorable treatment outcomes compared to those without current IDU. In this retrospective cohort chart review study of Cleveland Clinic OPAT registry, we identified patients with current IDU by both electronic and manual review. For each patient with current IDU, we identified 3 matched controls among those on OPAT and without current IDU, by propensity score matching on age, sex, OPAT year, and OPAT diagnosis. We compared treatment failure, infection relapse, line infection, hospital readmission, number of emergency room visits, and 90-day mortality, for patients with current IDU and their matched controls. We identified 39 patients with current IDU and 117 matched controls. Most patients with current IDU (82%) were discharged to skilled nursing facilities, whereas the majority of the control group (74%) was treated at home (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the examined treatment outcomes between the 2 groups. Patients with current IDU on OPAT did not have less favorable treatment outcomes compared to those without current IDU. Although the reason for this finding could potentially be related to difference in disposition, more studies need to be done to assess safety of home disposition among these patients.

Understanding the Correlates of Attrition Associated with Antiretroviral Use and Viral Suppression Among Women Living with HIV in Canada

Abstract Attrition along the cascade of HIV care compromises attainment of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 goals and achievement of desirable treatment outcomes for people living with HIV. Given known gender disparities in HIV care and outcomes, understanding the correlates of attrition at stages of the care cascade for women living with HIV (WLWH) is essential. Among the 1425 WLWH enrolled in the Canadian HIV Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study (CHIWOS), we measured the proportion who reported not being currently on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) and the proportion who reported a detectable viral load (VL; ≥40 copies/mL) despite cART use. Correlates of these cascade indicators were examined using univariate and multivariable logistic regression. Overall, 14.8% of women were not currently on cART. Of women who were on cART, 9.0% were not virally suppressed. In multivariable analyses, age between 26 and 34, unstable housing, food insecurity, current injection drug use, higher HIV-related sti...

Silence Surrounding Hepatitis C Status in Risk Relationships Among Rural People Who Use Drugs.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has reached epidemic proportions in rural Central Appalachia in recent years. We sought to identify demographic, behavioral, and interpersonal characteristics associated with HCV serostatus disclosure among high risk people who use drugs (PWUD) in Appalachian Kentucky. HCV antibody-positive participants (n=243), drawn from the fifth follow-up assessment of a longitudinal study of rural PWUD, completed interviewer-administered questionnaires eliciting demographic and interpersonal characteristics, risk behaviors, and information about HCV disclosure. We assessed correlates of HCV disclosure using gender-stratified multivariate logistic regression. Participants reported having disclosed their HCV-positive status to a current sex partner (44.0%), family member (35.8%), close friend (9.5%), or past sex partner (6.6%). Of those reporting current (n=72) or past (n=215) injection drug use (IDU), only 2.8% disclosed to current and 0.9% disclosed to past IDU partners, respectively. Female participants were more likely than male participants to disclose to current sex partners and family member(s). In multivariate analyses, adjusting for time since testing HCV positive, older age and lifetime history of drug treatment were associated with decreased odds of HCV disclosure among females, while only lifetime history of drug treatment was associated with decreased odds of HCV disclosure among males. In summary, the almost complete absence of disclosure to current or former injection drug use partners was concerning. However, most participants (69.1%) reported disclosing their HCV status to at least one of their social referents, suggesting that family members, partners, and friends of people living with HCV could play a critical role in encouraging uptake of treatment. Although further research is warranted, it is clear that interventions are needed to encourage HCV disclosure among those most at risk of transmitting HCV.

Drug Use Is Associated With Purulent Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in a Large Urban Jail: 2011-2015.

BackgroundSkin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are a common problem in jails in the United States. This study aimed to identify factors associated with purulent SSTIs in the New York City jail system.MethodsWe conducted a case-control study of purulent SSTIs at the New York City jail. Cases were matched to controls by visit date to the jail’s urgent care clinic. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted using conditional logistic regression.ResultsFrom April 2011 to April 2015, 1010 cases of SSTIs were identified and matched to 1010 controls. In multivariable analyses, report upon entry to jail of current injection drug use (odds ratio [OR], 2.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.77–4.31), current snorting of drugs (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.12–2.00), current heroin use (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.08–2.17), current cocaine use (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.18–2.65), and antibiotic use within the previous 6 months (OR, 4.05; 95% CI, 2.98–5.49) were significantly associated with SSTI diagnosis.ConclusionsSkin and soft tissue infections were strongly associated with a history of drug use at jail entry. Targeting intravenous drug use may be a preventive strategy for SSTIs in this population. Strategies such as harm reduction programs may be investigated.

Pain and Risk Behaviors Among HIV-Infected Persons in St. Petersburg, Russia.

We analyzed baseline data from an observational cohort of HIV-infected ART-naïve patients in St. Petersburg, Russia to explore whether pain was associated with HIV risk behaviors. The primary outcomes were (1) unprotected vaginal or anal sex in the past 90days and (2) sharing of needles or equipment in the past month. Secondary outcomes included: use of alcohol prior to sex, current injection drug use, number of unprotected sex and sharing episodes, and days injected in the past month. The main independent variable was any past week pain. Multivariable regression models were fit for outcomes. After adjustment, the association with unprotected sex was of borderline significance (AOR=2.06; 95% CI 0.98-4.36, p=0.058); there was no significant association between any past week pain and sharing of needles/equipment (AOR=1.52; 95% CI 0.65-3.59, p=0.33). Participants with pain had higher odds of reporting alcohol use prior to sex (AOR=2.42; 95% CI 1.10-5.28, p=0.03).

Estimating the burden of disease attributable to injecting drug use as a risk factor for HIV, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013

Previous estimates of the burden of HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among people who inject drugs have not included estimates of the burden attributable to the consequences of past injecting. We aimed to provide these estimates as part of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2013. We modelled the burden of HBV and HCV (including cirrhosis and liver cancer burden) and HIV at the country, regional, and global level. We extracted United Nations data on the proportion of notified HIV cases by transmission route, and estimated the contribution of injecting drug use (IDU) to HBV and HCV disease burden by use of a cohort method that recalibrated individuals' history of IDU, and accumulated risk of HBV and HCV due to IDU. We estimated data on current IDU from a meta-analysis of HBV and HCV incidence among injecting drug users and country-level data on the incidence of HBV and HCV between 1990 and 2013. We calculated estimates of burden of disease through years of life lost (YLL), years of life lived with disability (YLD), deaths, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) calculated for each metric. In 2013, an estimated 10·08 million DALYs were attributable to previous exposure to HIV, HBV, and HCV via IDU, a four-times increase since 1990. In total in 2013, IDU was estimated to cause 4·0% (2·82 million DALYs, 95% UI 2·4 million to 3·8 million) of DALYs due to HIV, 1·1% (216 000, 101 000-338 000) of DALYs due to HBV, and 39·1% (7·05 million, 5·88 million to 8·15 million) of DALYs due to HCV. IDU-attributable HIV burden was highest in low-to-middle-income countries, and IDU-attributable HCV burden was highest in high-income countries. IDU is a major contributor to the global burden of disease. Effective interventions to prevent and treat these important causes of health burden need to be scaled up. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.

Correlates of injection drug use among individuals admitted to public and private drug treatment facilities in Turkey

BackgroundThe number of individuals seeking treatment for drug use has been increasing in recent years in Turkey. However, existing research on patterns and risk factors for drug use and how they vary by age and location in Turkey is limited. MethodsWe examined the socio-demographic characteristics, drug use behaviors, and treatment history of citizens admitted to inpatient substance use treatment at public and private facilities in Turkey during 2012 and 2013 and identified correlates of lifetime and current injection drug use. ResultsOf the 11,247 patients at the 22 public treatment centers in 2012–2013, a majority were male, lived with family, were unemployed, and had an average age of 27 years. Within private clinics (n=663), a higher proportion was female (9.7% private vs. 5.7% public), aged 11–17 years old (13% vs. 7.4%), used cannabis as their primary drug (18.4% vs. 13.2%), and had previously received drug treatment (57% vs. 47.2%). Within public centers, 40.4% reported ever injecting drugs and 33.7% reported injecting in the past 30 days; the corresponding percentages at private clinics were 22.5% and 18.1%. Significant predictors of injection drug use included being homeless, being a temporal employee or unemployed, having higher education, heroin as a preferred drug, having a longer duration of drug use, and prior drug treatment. ConclusionPrevention and intervention efforts are needed to reduce the transition to heroin and injection drug use among youth as well as improve access to a variety of drug treatment options for people who use substances in Turkey.

Successful implementation of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy at a medical respite facility for homeless patients.

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) is a safe way to administer intravenous (IV) antimicrobial therapy to patients with the potential to decrease hospital length of stay (LOS). Often, homeless patients with complex infections, who could otherwise be treated as an outpatient, remain in the hospital for the duration of IV antibiotic treatment. Injection drug use (IDU) is a barrier to OPAT. To evaluate our experience with administering OPAT to homeless patients at a medical respite facility and determine if patients could complete a successful course of antibiotics. Using retrospective chart review, demographics, diagnosis, and comorbidities including mental illness, current IDU, and remote IDU (>3 months ago) were recorded. Surgical, microbiologic, and antimicrobial therapy including route (IV or oral), duration of therapy, and adverse events were abstracted. Homeless patients >18 years old who received OPAT at medical respite after discharge, no exclusions. Primary outcome was successful completion of OPAT at medical respite. Secondary outcome was successful antimicrobial course completion for a specific diagnosis. Forty-six (87%) patients successfully completed a defined course of antibiotic therapy. Thirty-four (64%) patients were successfully treated with OPAT at medical respite. Readmission rate was 30%. The average length of OPAT was 22 days. The cost savings to our institution (using $1500/day inpatient cost) was $25,000 per episode of OPAT. OPAT can be successful in a supervised medical respite setting for homeless patients with the help of a multidisciplinary team, and can decrease inpatient LOS resulting in cost savings. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:531-535. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine.

Persons in correctional facilities in Canada: A key population for hepatitis C prevention and control.

About one in nine Canadians who are infected with hepatitis C spend time in a correctional facility each year. With high rates of current injection drug use and needle sharing, this population may account for a large proportion of new infections. Any national strategy to address hepatitis C should include a focus on persons in correctional facilities, and should build on existing evidence regarding primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease progression in people who inject drugs (PWID): A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundUnderstanding HCV disease progression rates among people who inject drugs (PWID) is important to setting policy to expand access to detection, diagnosis and treatment, and in forecasting the burden of disease. In this paper we synthesize existing data on the natural history of HCV among PWID, including fibrosis progression rates (FPR) and the incidence of compensated cirrhosis (CC), decompensated cirrhosis (DC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MethodsWe conducted electronic and manual searches for published and unpublished literature. Reports were eligible if they (i) included participants who were chronically infected with HCV and reported current or previous injection drug use; (ii) presented original data on disease progression in a study sample comprised of at least 90% PWID; (iii) published between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2013; and (iv) included data from upper-middle- or high-income countries. Quality ratings were assigned using an adaptation of the Quality In Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool. We estimated pooled FPRs using the stage-constant and stage-specific methods, and pooled incidence rates of CC, DC, and HCC. ResultsTwenty-one reports met the study inclusion criteria. Based on random-effect models, the pooled stage-constant FPR was 0.117 METAVIR units per year (95% CI, 0.099–0.135), and the stage-specific FPRs were F0→F1, 0.128 (95% CI 0.080, 0.176); F1→F2, 0.059 (95% CI 0.035, 0.082); F2→F3, 0.078 (95% CI 0.056, 0.100); and F3→F4, 0.116 (95% CI 0.070, 0.161). The pooled incidence rates of CC, DC, and HCC were 6.6 (95% CI 4.8, 8.4), 1.1 (95% CI 0.8, 1.4), and 0.3 (95% CI −0.1, 0.6) events per 1000 person-years, respectively. Following the stage-constant estimate, average time to cirrhosis is 34 years post-infection, and time to METAVIR stage F3 is 26 years; using the stage-specific estimates, time to cirrhosis is 46 years and time to F3 is 38 years. ConclusionLeft untreated, PWID with chronic HCV infection will develop liver sequelae (including HCC) in mid- to late-adulthood. Delaying treatment with the new drug regimens until advanced fibrosis develops prolongs the period of infectiousness to perhaps thirty years. Scaling up of effective HCV prevention and early engagement in care and treatment will facilitate the elimination HCV as a source of serious disease in PWID.