The risk of emergency room treatment due to overdose in injection drug users.
This cohort study was conducted to identify risk factors for lifetime emergency room treatment due to overdose in injection drug users. Data of 1049 patients on admission for opioid detoxification were analyzed. More than every third injection drug user (34.7%) experienced emergency room treatment due to an overdose. Using multiple logistic regression not living with a significant other drug user (odds ratio [OR] = 1.78, P = .002), history of suicide attempt (OR = 3.0, P = .000), daily use of barbiturates (OR = 2.17, P = .006) and cannabis (OR = 1.89, P = .001) were independently associated with emergency room treatment, whereas shorter duration of opioid use (OR = 0.23, P = .001) was independently associated with lack of emergency room treatment. Suicidal thoughts and multiple use of central nervous system depressants should be considered in injection drug users entering the emergency room due to an overdose. Emergency rooms should be seen as important places for offering further assistance (e.g., counselling) or referral to an addiction unit to drug users.
Backmund
Markus
M
General Hospital Munich Schwabing, Munich, Germany.
Schuetz
Christian
C
Meyer
Kirsten
K
Edlin
Brian R
BR
Reimer
Jens
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001463:Barbiturates / Q000506:poisoning; D002188:Cannabis / Q000009:adverse effects; D015331:Cohort Studies; D062787:Drug Overdose; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000506:poisoning*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009294:Narcotics / Q000506:poisoning*; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D001463:Barbiturates; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009294:Narcotics