title: Evaluation of Femoral Ultrasonography as a Tool for Promoting Cessation of Groin-Injecting Behaviour.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the impact of femoral ultrasonography accompanied by explanation of the findings (UFV) on groin-injecting behaviour.
  
  
  METHODS
  348 heroin-addicted groin injectors (GIs) on opioid substitution treatment (OST) were included in the study: 174 received UFV (cases), 174 did not (controls). Injecting behaviour among cases and matched controls were compared for both 'persistent GIs' (patients who had injected via the femoral vein in the 28-day period preceding the baseline) and 'former GIs' (patients with a history of previous groin injecting).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant between-group differences in gender, mean age, time in treatment, substitute medication and mean dose at baseline or injecting behaviour prior to baseline. After baseline, reduction by a third in the proportion still groin injecting was immediately evident among UFV cases versus controls (number needed to treat: 3, 95% CI: 2, 8; p < 0.001). Marked reduction in groin-injecting behaviour among UFV cases was maintained over 12 months, including fewer relapses among 'former GIs' (number needed to treat: 5, 95% CI: 4, 9; p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Single-session UFV may promote cessation of groin-injecting behaviour among patients receiving OST. This benefit appears to be evident 12 months later. Further evaluation of this novel approach to the management of groin injecting, a particularly harmful behaviour, is now warranted.
authors.affiliation: East Kent Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service, Turning Point, Ashford, UK.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Senbanjo
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006119:Groin; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D014463:Ultrasonography