Prevalence Of Illicit Drug Use Research Articles

REPAIRS Delphi: A UK and Ireland Consensus Statement on the Management of Infected Arterial Pseudoaneurysms Secondary to Groin Injecting Drug Use

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, and 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. 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. Round one received 64 (86%) responses, round two 59 (79%) responses, and round three 62 (83%) responses; 73 out of 75 (97%) 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 angiogram 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. This comprehensive consensus statement provides a strong insight into the standard of care for these patients.

Use of tobacco and other illicit drugs among adolescent boys and young men in Kampala, Uganda: A result of low parental attention?

Although the use of illicit drugs is common among young people, limited data exists on the use of illicit drugs among adolescent boys and young men (ABYM). We assessed the use of tobacco, marijuana and khat among ABYM to inform the design of harm-reduction interventions. This secondary analysis uses data from a formative study conducted among 2,500 ABYM across the five divisions of Kampala between July and August 2020. Survey questions were adopted from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey and Global School-based Student Health Survey. We computed proportions of ABYM that had ever used any form of tobacco or marijuana or khat in the past year and the proportion that had used any of these products in the past 30 days (i.e. 'current users'). In a sub-group analysis, we assessed if any patterns existed between ABYM's use of illicit drugs and selected parental attention attributes. Of 2,500 ABYM, 47.3% (n = 1,182) were aged 15-19 years. Overall, 16.4% (n = 410) reported past-year use of tobacco products while 11.6% (n = 289) and 10.5% (n = 263) reported past-year use of marijuana and khat, respectively. Current use of any illicit drugs was higher among past-year khat (46%, n = 133) and marijuana users (36.9%, n = 97) than past-year tobacco users (4%, n = 17). Current use of any illicit drugs was higher among out-of-school than in-school ABYM and increased with increasing age and education levels. However, parental attention was lower among out-of-school than in-school ABYM and decreased with increasing age and education levels. Use of illicit drugs is common among ABYM and increased with age and education levels but parental attention among current illicit drug users decreased with increasing age and education levels. These findings suggest that interventions intended to improve parental attention among illicit drug users may help to reduce the prevalence of illicit drug use among ABYM.

Asociación del consumo de drogas ilícitas en mujeres embarazadas y sífilis congénita en un Hospital Público de México

We conducted a nested case–control study within a cohort with the aim of studying the association between illicit drug use and congenital syphilis (CS). Cases were diagnosed based on treponemal and non-treponemal tests conducted both in the mother and the newborn (NB). Multivariate analysis with logistic regression was performed. A total of 6171 births with a mean gestational age of 37.8 weeks were recorded and 62 CS events were diagnosed (incidence 10.5 events/1000 NB). Associated maternal factors were illicit drug use (OR 14.08, 95% CI 1.19–166.6), <5 prenatal visits (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.12–7.53), more than two sexual partners (OR 3.76, 95% CI 1.62–8.71) and professional education level (OR 0.06, 95% CI 0.005–0.85). Among the mothers of the cases presented, the prevalence of illicit drug use was 22.6% and the most frequent drugs were methamphetamines and cannabis.

Illicit drugs in the emergency department: Can we determine on clinical grounds if patients are intoxicated? Results from the Western Australian Illicit Substance Evaluation (WISE) study.

Presentations related to illicit drugs are a feature of emergency department practice. Clinicians may form a belief that a patient is intoxicated with illicit drugs based on patient self-report, clinical features on presentation and the local prevalence of illicit drug use. But evidence of the accuracy of this assessment is lacking. The Western Australian Illicit Substance Evaluation (WISE) study enrolled patients believed by their treating clinician to be intoxicated with illicit drugs, and this analysis aims to evaluate the validity of this belief. A blood sample was taken on patient arrival and details of patient history, examination and interventions were collected by clinical and research staff. Toxicological examination of biological samples used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques including Quadrupole Time of Flight screening and Triple Quadrupole targeted analyses. Of 632 study presentations, 518 had illicit drugs detected representing a positive predictive value of 0.82 (95% confidence interval 78.7, 84.9). Those with illicit drugs detected were significantly less likely to arrive by police transport (p = 0.010) or to have used alcohol (p < 0.001). They were significantly more likely to report illicit drug use (p < 0.001) and a much smaller proportion were admitted to a psychiatric ward (3.5% vs. 19.3%, p < 0.0001). Heart rate and systolic blood pressure were significantly higher in the illicit drug group (p = 0.004 and p = 0.003). In this study, the positive predictive value of clinicians determining if their patient had taken illicit drugs was 0.82. Contemporaneous biochemical analysis in the clinical setting would increase this accuracy and inform patient care.

Pattern of illicit substance use and associated factors among male inmates of a highly populated Brazilian prison complex

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to assess the pattern of illicit substance use and associated factors among male inmates of a highly populated Brazilian prison complex. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with a population-based sample of 756 adult male prisoners. A semi-structured questionnaire was answered with the aid of a previously trained interviewer. Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were used to analytically assess the data. Results About 49.5% of the inmates reported use during imprisonment. Marijuana was the most common drug among illicit drug users (77.8%), followed by crack and cocaine (1.9% and 0.3%, respectively). Over 20% of drug users presented polydrug consumption pattern. The consumption of illicit substances was associated with prisoner’s gender identity (p = .047), marital status (p < .001), age (p < .001), income (p < .001), tobacco and alcohol consumption (p < .001, for both associations). Tobacco and alcohol consumption, younger age and not being in a relationship were associated with an increased risk of consuming illicit drugs during imprisonment. Conclusions The prevalence of illicit drug use by male prisoners was high. Polydrug use pattern often accompanies the consumption of alcohol and tobacco.

PS02 Illicit drug use in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and its relationship with suicidality in a tertiary population

Abstract Limited evidence suggests an increased lifetime prevalence of illicit drug use in psoriasis. To our knowledge, there are no data for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in this regard. Given the pronounced psychiatric morbidity in psoriasis and PsA, including evidence of increased suicidality outcomes, we aimed to investigate illicit drug use prevalence and its relationship with disease characteristics and psychopathology in psoriasis. We surveyed 216 adults attending a specialist psoriasis service, 83 of whom had comorbid PsA. Participants completed paper questionnaires about the type, amount and frequency of lifetime and current illicit drug use (including cannabis, opioids, cocaine/stimulants, hallucinogens and volatile solvents). Participants also completed validated psychometric tools; suicidality was measured with the Sheehan Suicidality Tracking Scale. The prevalence of lifetime (21.7%) and current (6.0%) illicit drug use in PsA did not differ from the respective rates in psoriasis only (27.1% and 8.3%; P &amp;gt; 0.1), but patients with PsA showed lower regular use rates (2.7% in PsA vs. 12.9% in psoriasis only; P = 0.03). Dermatology Life Quality Index and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index scores were numerically higher among illicit drug users than nonusers, but the differences were not statistically significant. In our sample, lifetime illicit drug use was associated with increased lifetime suicidal planning and behaviour but not suicidal ideation. The association of drug use with suicidal planning remained after adjusting for age, sex, psychiatric comorbidity and alcohol consumption scores (odds ratio 2.44, 95% confidence interval 1.04–5.76). Patients reporting current drug use were more likely to have been previously diagnosed with anxiety but were not disproportionately affected by depression and alexithymia. The prevalence of lifetime illicit drug use in our study is consistent with findings from a recent North American psoriasis cohort. Although it is not clear why regular drug use is less prevalent in patients with PsA, increased medical attention may play a role. The higher prevalence of suicidal planning/behaviours, but not ideation, among patients with psoriasis with illicit drug use is an important and concerning finding. This aligns with some previous research suggesting that illicit drug use is associated with suicidality progression toward action, possibly due to impulse-control deficits. Early detection and management of drug use may help prevent suicidal behaviours in psoriasis. Study limitations include the cross-sectional design and social desirability bias-related under-reporting. Prospective cohorts are needed to further investigate the role of illicit drug use in patients’ psychiatric morbidity and quality of life, and address its sequelae within dermatology settings.

Prevalence of illicit drug use in young patients with sudden cardiac death

Illicit drug use may accelerate coronary disease and cardiac hypertrophy or stimulate arrhythmias. Rates of illicit drug use in young patients with sudden cardiac death (SCD) are uncertain. The purpose of this study was to identify rates of illicit drug use in young patients with SCD. A prospective statewide registry identified out-of-hospital patients with cardiac arrest aged 18-50 years from April 2019 to April 2021. Clinical characteristics were compared between patients with and without illicit drug use (defined by toxicological results or reported regular use). Illicit drugs included amphetamine-type substances, cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and other drugs. A total of 554(40.2%) of 1378 patients had confirmed cardiac cause of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, with 523 undergoing toxicological assessment. There were 170 patients (32.5%) having either positive toxicology for illicit drugs (n = 138) or negative toxicology but reported regular drug use (n = 32). Patients with SCD and illicit drug use were more commonly male (81.2% vs 72.3%; P = .028), smokers (38.8% vs 19.8%; P ≤ .0001), and excess alcohol drinkers (30.6% vs 20.6%; P = .012) and had a psychiatric diagnosis (38.8% vs 25.7%; P = .002), lower body mass index (29.4 kg/m2 vs 31.7 kg/m2; P = .0063), and lower rates of hypertension (10.6% vs 18.6%; P = .019). Death commonly occurred while sedentary (47.5%) or during sleep (45.8%). Accounting for these baseline differences, there were no differences in rates of coronary disease or cardiomyopathy. Cannabis (n = 106) was the most common illicit drug identified and polysubstance abuse occurred frequently (n = 25). Approximately one-third of young patients with SCD have positive toxicology at the time of death or reported frequent use of illicit drugs, with high rates of polysubstance abuse.

A Cross Sectional Study on the Risk Factors of Illicit Drug use Among the University Students

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of illicit drug use among university students of private and public universities. And also, to assess risk factors of illicit drug use. Methods: This study was conducted at DHQ Hospital Faisalabad and the duration of this study was from November 2020 to April 2022. This was a cross sectional study design, in which data was collected from 600 students of public and private sector universities. The sample had an equal gender proportion i.e 300 males and 300 females. Data was collected through questionnaires. The data was then analyzed for the prevalence of illicit drug use among university students and also the associating risk factors of illicit drug use. Chi square test was performed to find out the association of illicit drug use to various factors such as age, living status, availability, source of drug, frequency of intake etc. Result: According to data analysis 17.3% students of government colleges were using more than one drug while 82.6% were using single drugs. 26.3% students of private colleges were using more than one drug while 73.6% were using single drug. 80% of public sector had abused prescribed drugs. 73.6% of private sector had abused prescribed drugs. 19.2% public sector students knew multiple drug suppliers. 46.9% students revealed that the drug was available within the university premises. Practical Implication: Our finding of the increased risk of illicit drug use among the university students has added an important information to the literature in this research area. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors of illicit drug use among the public and private university students of Punjab. We also tried to learn the reason for the usage of these drugs and also whether these are any factors associated with use of these illicit drug. Conclusion: Illicit drug use is more prevalent in boarders as compared to day scholars. A chunk of the students revealed that the drugs most commonly used are cheap. Drugs are more easily available in public sector universities as compared to private ones. There has been a gradual increase in the frequency of drug intake per day in addicts. Illicit drugs had an overall negative effect on the academics of students. A good proportion of the sample believes that parental care plays a key role in preventing their child from indulging into any type of illicit drug use. Keywords: Drugs, Risk Factors, Addicts, Maladaptive, Psychologically, Neurotransmitters

Effectiveness of a Mobile App to Increase Risk Perception of Tobacco, Alcohol, and Marijuana Use in Mexican High School Students: Quantitative Study

Young people have the highest rate of drug use worldwide. Recent data from Mexico in this population show that the prevalence of illicit drug use doubled between 2011 and 2016 (2.9%-6.2%), with marijuana being the one with the highest increase (2.4%-5.3%), but also point out that alcohol and tobacco use have remained steady or decreased. Mexican adolescents are at high risk for drug use owing to a low perception of risk and the availability of drugs. Adolescence is an ideal period to reduce or prevent risky behaviors using evidence-based strategies. In this study, we aimed to test the short-term effectiveness of a mobile intervention app ("What Happens if you Go Too Far?" ["¿Qué pasa si te pasas?"]) that seeks to increase risk perception of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use in a sample of Mexican high school students. A nonexperimental evaluation based on pretest-posttest design was used to measure the effectiveness of a preventive intervention using a mobile app, "What Happens If You Go Too Far?" The dimensions analyzed were knowledge of drugs and their effects, life skills, self-esteem, and risk perception. The intervention was conducted on a high school campus with 356 first-year students. The sample included 359 first-year high school students (mean 15, SD 0.588 years; women: 224/359, 62.4% men: 135/359, 37.6%). The intervention increased the overall risk perception of tobacco (χ24=21.6; P<.001) and alcohol use (χ24=15.3; P<.001). There was no significant difference in the perception that it is dangerous to smoke 5 cigarettes, and there was a marginal difference in the perception that it is very dangerous to smoke 1 cigarette or to use alcohol or marijuana. We used a generalized estimating equation method to determine the impact of the variables on risk perception. The results showed that knowledge about smoking increased the risk perception of smoking 1 cigarette (odds ratio [OR] 1.1065, 95% CI 1.013-1.120; P=.01), and that knowledge about marijuana use (OR 1.109, 95% CI 1.138-1.185; P=.002) and self-esteem (OR 1.102, 95% CI 1.007-1.206; P=.04) produced significant increases in the risk perception of consuming 5 cigarettes. Resistance to peer pressure and assertiveness also increased the perceived risk of using tobacco and alcohol. The intervention has the potential to increase the perception of risk toward drug use in high school students by providing knowledge about the effects and psychosocial risks of drug use and by strengthening life skills that are associated with increased risk perception. The use of mobile technologies in intervention processes may broaden the scope of preventive work for adolescents.

Sexual minority status, illicit drug use, and depressive symptoms

Youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and who identify with other sexual orientations (LGB+) are at higher risk for illicit drug use and have higher rates of mental illness. The current study examined the prevalence of illicit drug use among LGB + persons and assessed the moderating effect of mental illness. Cross-sectional data from the 2015, 2017, and 2019 Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System were aggregated. The outcome was any reported use of cocaine, inhalants, heroin, methamphetamines, ecstasy, or hallucinogens. The primary exposure was self-reported sexual orientation category (i.e. heterosexual, gay/lesbian, bisexual, and not sure). Self-reported depressive symptoms were tested as a moderator. Logistic regression models assessed main and interactive effects. Gay or lesbian students [AOR = 1.87 95% CI: 1.45, 2.43], bisexual students [AOR = 2.07 95% CI: 1.77, 2.42], and those unsure of their sexual orientation [AOR = 1.99 95% CI: 1.65, 2.39] had increased odds of illicit drug use. Odds were higher among LGB + youth who did not have depressive symptoms (p < 0.001). Odds of illicit substance use was significantly greater in youth identifying as gay and lesbian, bisexual, and students who were not sure about their sexual orientation and among LGB + youth without depressive symptoms. Targeted, but non-stigmatizing, prevention programs are needed.

The development and pandemic-related adaptation of a resilience program for native middle-school youth: A case study.

As of 2017, American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) had the highest prevalence of illicit drug use of any ethnic group in the United States, with 17.6% of the population aged 12 and older reporting using illicit drugs in the last month. Studies have shown the positive correlation between a history of trauma and substance use disorder. In fact, the majority of youth in treatment for substance misuse reported a history of trauma. Intergenerational trauma, systematic discrimination, and displacement are downstream effects of colonization, and experiences of racism often define the life experiences of AI/ANs who use substances. This paper describes the process of designing a developmentally and culturally appropriate primary prevention supplement for an evidence-based program to prevent substance use and increase cultural identity among AI/AN youth.

Feasibility of using breath sampling of non-volatiles to estimate the prevalence of illicit drug use among nightlife attendees

The prevalence of drug use among nightlife attendees needs to be accurately estimated to, for example, evaluate preventive interventions. This study tested the feasibility of using a breath-sampling device to estimate the prevalence of drug use among nightlife attendees. The study was conducted at five nightclubs and a large music festival in Stockholm, Sweden. Participants were invited to participate and microparticles in exhaled breath were sampled and analyzed for 47 compounds using a state-of-the-art analytic method that follows forensic standards. In addition, participants’ breath alcohol concentration was measured and they were interviewed about demographics, drinking habits, and drug use. Of the people invited, 73.7% (n = 1223) agreed to participate, and breath samples were collected from 1204 participants. Breath sampling was fast and well-accepted by participants. 13 percent of participants tested positive for an illicit drug, but only 4.3% self-reported drug use during the last 48 h. The most common substances detected were cocaine, amphetamine, and MDMA. There was no agreement between self-reported and measured use of any drug. Breath sampling is a convenient method to test illicit drug use among a large number of participants at events, and can be used as an estimate of drug use prevalence.

Prevalence of illicit drugs use and association with in-hospital major adverse events in patients hospitalised for acute cardiac events: the ADDICT-ICCU Trial

Abstract Background The prevalence and short-term cardiovascular consequences of illicit drug use in patients admitted to the intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU) for acute cardiovascular events are not well established. Purpose The Addiction in Intensive Cardiac Care Units (ADDICT-ICCU) study was designed to assess prospectively the prevalence of illicit drugs use, and their association with the occurrence of in-hospital major adverse events (MAEs) in consecutive patients admitted to ICCUs for acute cardiovascular events. Methods From 7 to 22 April 2021, screening for illicit drug was performed by systematic urinary testing in a prospective study including all consecutive patients admitted to ICCU in 39 centres throughout France. The primary outcome was the prevalence of the illicit drugs detected. The secondary clinical outcome was in-hospital Major Adverse cardiac Events (MAEs) defined by death, resuscitated cardiac arrest or cardiogenic shock. Results Among 1,499 consecutive patients screened (age 63.3±14.9 years, 69.6% male), 161 (10.7%) had a positive test for illicit drugs (cannabis: 9.1%, opioids: 2.1%, cocaine: 1.7%, amphetamines: 0.7%, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine: 0.6%). Patients who used illicit drugs were young (33.0% at age &amp;lt;40 vs. 5.9% at age ≥60 years), and more frequently male (11.9% vs. 8.1%, p&amp;lt;0.001). Self-reported current use was 56.5% in patients with a positive test. After a median duration of hospitalisation of five days, there were 61 in-hospital MAEs (4.1%). The detection of illicit drugs was associated with a higher rate of MAEs after adjustment for known predictors of severity (OR=8.84; 95% CI: 4.68–16.7, p&amp;lt;0.001) or after using a propensity score adjustment (OR=5.81; 95% CI: 4.14–8.14, p&amp;lt;0.001). After adjustment for age and sex, detection of cannabis or cocaine was significantly associated with MAEs (OR=3.53; 95% CI: 1.25–9.95, p&amp;lt;0.001; OR=5.12; 95% CI: 1.48–17.2, p=0.004 respectively). Multiple drug detection (28% of positive patients) was associated with a higher incidence of MAEs than single drug detection. Conclusions The prevalence of illicit drugs use in patients hospitalised in the ICCUs for acute cardiovascular events was 10.7% and was under-reported. Illicit drugs detection was independently associated with a higher occurrence of in-hospital MAEs. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Fondation Coeur et Recherche

Prevalence of illicit drug use in young sudden cardiac death patients; an Australian prospective cohort study

Abstract Background Illicit drug use may accelerate coronary disease and cardiac hypertrophy or stimulate arrhythmias. Rates of illicit drug use in young sudden cardiac death (SCD) patients are uncertain. Purpose To identify rates of illicit drug use in young SCD patients in Australia. Methods A prospective multi-centre registry identified out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients aged 1–50 years between April 2019 and April 2020. Clinical characteristics were compared between patients with and without illicit drug use (defined by toxicological results or reported regular use). Illicit drugs included stimulants such as amphetamine-type substances and cocaine, or non-stimulants such as heroin, cannabis and novel psychoactive substances (cathinones and synthetic cannabinoids). Results 770 OHCAs occurred, with 555 patients undergoing forensic assessment. 287 patients had confirmed cardiac cause of OHCA, with 274 undergoing toxicological assessment and 79 (28.8%) having positive toxicology for illicit drugs (n=60) or reported regular drug use (n=19). An additional 121 patients experienced non-cardiac SCD due to illicit drug toxicity, resulting in a total of 200 patients (36.0% of OHCAs) with illicit drug use. Patients with SCD and illicit drug use were more commonly male (86.1% vs 72.3%, p=0.015), regular smokers (36.7% vs 21.5%, p=0.009), had cardiomegaly (76.5% vs 57.5%, p=0.007), and higher rates of coronary disease and cardiomyopathy (coronary disease 44.3% vs 33.3%, cardiomyopathy 30.4% vs 18.5%, p=0.003). Methamphetamines (n=42, 53.1%) were the most common illicit drug identified and polysubstance abuse occurred frequently (n=15, 19.0%). Conclusion Approximately one-third of young SCD patients use illicit drugs, with high rates of polysubstance abuse. Illicit drug use in SCD patients is associated with coronary disease and cardiomyopathy. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Increasing prevalence of illicit drug use among employees at Swedish workplaces over a 25-year period.

BackgroundReports indicate that the proportion of adults using drugs of abuse has been increasing in recent years in Europe. Although there are various indicators of increased drug use in Sweden over time, few studies could demonstrate an increase in the proportion of adults using drugs. To investigate changes in drug use prevalence over time, drug testing at the workplace has been used for a 25-year period.MethodsThe urine samples of employees sent by occupational health services from all over Sweden during a 25-year period were analyzed. The analyzing capacity increased over time (from 3411 in 1994 to 60 315 samples analyzed in 2019), and the majority of the samples was analyzed for the following drugs: cannabis (tetrahydrocannabinol), amphetamine, opiates, cocaine, and benzodiazepines.ResultsThere was an overall increase in the proportion of samples that tested positive for illicit drugs over a 25-year period. This increase seemed to take place step-wise, with phases of linear increases and plateaus that over time became shorter. About 1.3% of samples tested positive for drugs in 1994, whereas 5.6% tested positive in 2019. Since 2007, the rate of positive samples has increased for cannabis and decreased for benzodiazepines. Although the rate of samples tested positive for opiates had remained relatively stable over the last 20 years, this rate had increased for amphetamine and cocaine between 2013 and 2019.ConclusionThe results indicate that the use of illicit drugs among employees at Swedish workplaces has increased during a 25-year period.

Oral Health Status of Illicit Drug Users in a Health District in South Africa.

The prevalence of illicit drug use and its associated oral health complications have been increasing in South Africa (SA). There has been a paucity of studies to determine the oral health status among illicit drug users in SA. This study aimed to determine the oral health knowledge, practices, and status of illicit drug users at rehabilitation centers in a district in SA. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at four rehabilitation centers in Pretoria, SA. Data were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire and an oral examination. The questionnaire consisted of three parts: demographics, oral health knowledge, and oral health practices. The oral examination was conducted by a calibrated researcher and included caries, periodontal status, dental erosion, trauma, and soft tissue lesions. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The mean age was 25.5 (±7.49) years with 91% being male. The majority (84%) of patients were Black, and almost all (87%) had never received oral health education; 55% were not aware that illicit drugs could have an impact on the oral health status and 40% had never had a prior dental consultation. The caries prevalence was 68% with a mean decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) score of 5.3 (±6.18). More than half (58%) required periodontal treatment and there were minimal soft and hard tissue lesions diagnosed. Those who perceived their teeth to be in a poor condition had a significantly higher Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) score compared with those who perceived their oral health to be good. Just under half (41.9%) of the participants did not need any periodontal intervention, with the other half presenting with plaque retention or calculus and thus needed oral hygiene intervention inclusive of scaling and polishing. There was minimal evidence of pathological oral lesions with only 1.5% presenting with necrotizing periodontal disease (NPD). Overall, there was generalized poor oral hygiene CONCLUSION: Many of the participants had poor oral hygiene knowledge and practices and a relatively high prevalence of caries. It is imperative that oral health promotion and education is incorporated into the medical interventions provided at rehabilitation centers.

Illicit drug use and exposure in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Czechia: policy representations and evidence

This study examines the lifetime prevalence of illicit drug use and illicit drug exposure in disadvantaged (“Roma”) and more affluent neighborhoods in Czechia. The results of a survey among populations of both types of neighborhoods suggest no statistically significant difference between the two in terms of the overall lifetime prevalence of illicit drug use; however, lifetime prevalence of methamphetamine use proved higher in disadvantaged neighborhoods. The population of disadvantaged neighborhoods has also lower chances to use LSD during their lifetime. Further differences were identified in drug exposure, with the population of more affluent neighborhoods being more frequently exposed to illicit drugs than the population of disadvantaged neighborhoods. The predictors of drug use and drug exposure were partially different for both populations. In the disadvantaged population, drug use was revealed, among other predictors, to be associated with housing conditions.

Upregulation of Uric Acid Production and Caspase 3 Signalling Mediates Rohypnol-Induced Cardiorenal Damage.

The global prevalence of illicit drug use is on the increase with attendant complications like cardiorenal collapse. One such substance of abuse is rohypnol. Despite its ban in most countries, it remains a popular substance of abuse. Whether or not rohypnol induces cardiorenal injury and the associated mechanism is yet to be elucidated. Therefore, the present study investigated the effect of rohypnol on cardiorenal integrity and functions, and glucolipid metabolism. Forty-eight male Wistar rats randomized into six groups (n = 8/group) received (per os) vehicle, low-dose (2mg/kg) and high-dose (4mg/kg) rohypnol once daily for twenty eight days, with or without a cessation period. Data revealed that rohypnol exposure irreversibly caused insulin resistance, hyperglycaemia, and dyslipidaemia. This was accompanied by reduced cardiorenal mass and impaired cardiorenal cytoarchitecture and function. Furthermore, rohypnol treatment promoted oxidative stress, inflammation, genotoxicity, and decreased cardiorenal activities of Na+-K+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase, and Mg2+-ATPase. These alterations were associated with enhanced uric acid generation and caspase 3 activity in the cardiorenal complex. Thus, this study reveals that rohypnol exposure triggers cardiorenal toxicity with incident insulin resistance, glucolipid and cardiorenal proton pump dysregulation, altered redox state, and inflammation via enhancement of uric acid generation and caspase 3-dependent mechanism.

Prevalence of Illicit Drug Use in Young Sudden Cardiac Death Patients – an Australian Prospective Cohort Study

Prevalence of Illicit Drug Use in Young Sudden Cardiac Death Patients – an Australian Prospective Cohort Study

Estimation of illicit drug use among high school students in the Silesian voivodship (Poland) with the use of the randomized response technique

ABSTRACT The prevalence of illicit drug use among high school students living in the Silesian voivodship (Poland) is estimated using either the random response techniques of forced response design or the Liu-Chow method. Respondents answer a sensitive question only with a certain probability, thus ensuring anonymity. These methods provide correct estimates of prevalence, unlike interviews based on anonymous questionnaires, which can lead to underestimate the prevalence. Compared with those obtained with anonymous questionnaires, the results obtained with the forced response method are that 10.7 times more high school students used the new psychoactive substances, 6.0 times more amphetamines, methamphetamines, and others, 3.1 times more heroin or morphine, and 1.6 times more marijuana or hashish. The Liu-Chow method provides an estimate of 10.7% of respondents who reported using new psychoactive substances, while the estimate by the anonymous questionnaire is only 1.5%. In the case of marijuana or hashish, the Liu-Chow method gives an estimate of 37.0% of users, while the estimate with anonymous questionnaires is only 22.0%.