Street drug use among young patients with Type 1 diabetes in the UK.
BACKGROUND
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and poor glycaemic control in young adults with Type 1 diabetes may be associated with street drug use. There are few studies in the UK looking at the prevalence of drug use in young adults with diabetes.


METHODS
One hundred and fifty-eight young adults, aged sixteen to thirty years, with Type 1 diabetes attending an urban diabetes clinic were sent an anonymous confidential postal questionnaire to determine the prevalence of street drug use.


RESULTS
We received 85 completed responses. Twenty-nine percent of respondents admitted to using street drugs. Of those, 68 percent habitually took street drugs more than once a month. Seventy-two percent of users were unaware of the adverse effects on diabetes.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-reported street drug usage in young adults with Type 1 diabetes is common and may contribute to poor glycaemic control and serious complications of diabetes.
Diabeticare, Hillingdon Hospital, London, UK.
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002188:Cannabis / Q000009:adverse effects; D003042:Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016883:Diabetic Ketoacidosis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000009:adverse effects; D003932:Heroin / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects; D009294:Narcotics / Q000009:adverse effects; D015995:Prevalence; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D006213:Hallucinogens; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D009294:Narcotics; D003932:Heroin; D003042:Cocaine; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine