title: Gender differences in indices of opioid dependency and medical comorbidity in a population of hospitalized HIV-infected African-Americans.
abstract: We examined gender differences in drug use patterns and in medical presentation among 520 hospitalized, HIV-infected African-Americans. Substance abuse history was self-reported, and medical data were obtained by chart review. Overall, 321 (65%) reported ever having used heroin, with equivalent rates in men and women. Women were more likely to report current use, to have sought treatment, and tended to feel more dependent on heroin than men. Among heroin users, women were more likely to be admitted for conditions related to drug use, rather than AIDS, and to have CD4 counts > 200/mm3. These gender differences in opioid dependency and medical comorbidity may indicate a need for alternative treatment approaches for men and women.
authors.affiliation: NIDA/IRP, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.forename: Neena F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Thomas-Gosain
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Umbricht
authors.forename: Marvin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: Jo M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Leslie
authors.forename: Richard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Chaisson
authors.forename: Kenzie L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Preston
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors