Morbidity associated with non-fatal heroin overdose.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the range and severity of heroin overdose related morbidity.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Sydney, Australia.


METHODS
198 heroin users.


RESULTS
Sixty-nine per cent had experienced a heroin overdose, 28% in the preceding 12 months. Of those who had overdosed, 79% had experienced at least one overdose-related morbidity symptom. An ambulance had attended overdoses for 59% of subjects, 33% had required hospital treatment for overdose, and 14% had experienced overdose-related complications of sufficient severity to be admitted to a hospital ward. Indirect overdose-related morbidity included: physical injury sustained when falling at overdose (40%), burns (24%) and assault while unconscious (14%). Direct overdose-related morbidity included: peripheral neuropathy (49%), vomiting (33%), temporary paralysis of limbs (26%), chest infections (13%) and seizure (2%).


CONCLUSIONS
There appears to be extensive morbidity associated with non-fatal overdose. This is clearly an area that requires more research to document the prevalence and nature of these harms, and factors associated with them.
Warner-Smith
Matthew
M
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia.
Darke
Shane
S
Day
Carolyn
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D003932:Heroin / Q000506:poisoning*; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009294:Narcotics / Q000506:poisoning*; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D010243:Paralysis / Q000139:chemically induced; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000139:chemically induced; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
D009294:Narcotics; D003932:Heroin