title: Opiate- and cocaine-related fatal overdoses in Luxembourg from 1985 to 2011: a study on gender differences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We analysed gender differences in national fatal overdose (FOD) cases related to opiates and cocaine use between 1985 and 2011 (n = 340).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-examination of national data from law enforcement and drug use surveillance sources and of forensic evidence. Bivariate and logistic regression analysis of male/female differences according to sociodemographics, forensic evidence and drug use trajectories.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The burden of deaths caused by FOD on the general national mortality was higher for men (PMR/100=0.55) compared with women (PMR/100=0.34). Compared with their male peers, women were younger at the time of death (t=3.274; p=0.001) and showed shorter drug use careers (t=2.228; p=0.028). Heroin use was recorded more frequently in first drug offences of female victims (AOR=6.59; 95% CI 2.97-14.63) and according to forensic evidence, psychotropic prescription drugs were detected to a higher degree in females (AOR=2.019; 95% CI 1.065-3.827).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The time window between the onset of illicit drug use and its fatal outcome revealed to be shorter for women versus men included in our study. Early intervention in female drug users, routine involvement of first-line healthcare providers and increased attention to use of poly- and psychotropic prescription drugs might contribute to prevent premature drug-related death and reduce gender differences.
authors.affiliation: Drug Coordination Office, Ministry of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Origer
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lopes da Costa
authors.forename: Michèle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baumann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008189:Luxembourg / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D055815:Young Adult