Causes of death among crack cocaine users.
OBJECTIVE
The study accompanied 131 crack-cocaine users over a 5-year period, and examined mortality patterns, as well as the causes of death among them.


METHODS
All patients admitted to a detoxification unit in Sao Paulo between 1992 and 1994 were interviewed during two follow-up periods: 1995-1996 and 1998-1999.


RESULTS
After 5 years, 124 patients were localized (95%). By the study endpoint (1999), 23 patients (17.6%) had died. Homicide was the most prevalent cause of death (n = 13). Almost one third of the deaths were due to the HIV infection, especially among those with a history of intravenous drug use. Less than 10% died from overdose.


CONCLUSIONS
The study suggests that the mortality risk among crack cocaine users is greater than that seen in the general population, homicide and AIDS being the most common causes of death among such individuals.
Ribeiro
Marcelo
M
Unidade de Pesquisa em Alcool e Drogas, Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu 394, Vila Clementino, 04038-001 São Paulo, SP, Brazil. marcelo@uniad.org.br
Dunn
John
J
Sesso
Ricardo
R
Dias
Andréa Costa
AC
Laranjeira
Ronaldo
R
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000401:mortality; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000401:mortality*; D016578:Crack Cocaine; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution
D016578:Crack Cocaine