title: Predictors of mortality among injecting and non-injecting HIV-negative drug users in northern Thailand.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate mortality rates among HIV-negative injecting drug users (IDUs) and non-injecting drug users (non-IDUs), and to assess predictors for mortality among the IDUs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study in northern Thailand with 2-year follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  IDUs and non-IDUs who were admitted for detoxification treatment for opiate or amphetamine dependence in a regional drug treatment center were screened. After discharge, HIV-negative individuals were followed-up in the community.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 821 HIV-negative drug users [346 IDUs (42%) and 475 non-IDUs, median age = 32; 51% were ethnic minorities].
  
  
  METHODS
  All-cause mortality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 33 deaths over 1360 person-years of follow-up. The all-cause mortality rate was 39 per 1000 person-years among IDUs [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) = 13.9], and was 14 per 1000 person-years among non-IDUs (SMR = 4.4). Among male IDUs, the hazards for all-cause deaths were ethnic minority status [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.2-7.2], incident HIV infection (HR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.1-7.7) and longer duration of drug injection (HR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.01-1.14).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mortality among IDUs is high. Being from an ethnic minority, recent HIV acquisition, and a greater number of years of drug injection are predictors of mortality among the IDUs in this region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. vquan@jhsph.edu
authors.forename: Vu Minh
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Quan
authors.forename: Tasanai
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vongchak
authors.forename: Jaroon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jittiwutikarn
authors.forename: Surinda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kawichai
authors.forename: Namtip
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Srirak
authors.forename: Kanokporn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wiboonnatakul
authors.forename: Myat Htoo
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Razak
authors.forename: Vinai
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Suriyanon
authors.forename: David D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Celentano
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012114:Residential Treatment; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000401:mortality; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000401:mortality*; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology