High Illicit Drug Abuse and Suicide in Organ Donors With Type 1 Diabetes

Substance Use Affects Type 1 Diabetes Pancreas Pathology: Implications for Future Studies

Access to human pancreas samples from organ donors has greatly advanced our understanding of type 1 diabetes pathogenesis; however, previous studies have shown that donors have a high rate of substance use, and its impact on pancreatic histopathology in this disease is not well described. One-hundred-thirty-one type 1 diabetes and 111 control organ donor pancreata from persons 12-89 years of age (mean 29.8 ± 15.5 years) within the Network for Pancreatic Organ donors with Diabetes (nPOD) were examined for insulin positivity, insulitis, amyloid staining, acute and chronic pancreatitis, and chronic exocrine changes (acinar atrophy, fibrosis, fatty infiltration, or periductal fibrosis); findings were compared by history of substance use. A secondary analysis compared exocrine pancreatic histopathologic findings in type 1 diabetes versus control organ donors regardless of substance use history. We observed a high but congruent rate of substance use in type 1 diabetes and control organ donors (66.4% and 64% respectively). Among donors with type 1 diabetes (but not controls), islet amyloid (OR 9.96 [1.22, 81.29]) and acute pancreatitis (OR 3.2 [1.06, 9.63]) were more common in alcohol users while chronic exocrine changes (OR 8.86 [1.13, 69.31]) were more common in cocaine users. Substance use impacted the pancreata of donors with type 1 diabetes more than controls. Overall, despite similar rates of substance use, acute pancreatitis (15.3% versus 4.5%, p=0.0061), chronic pancreatitis (29.8% versus 9.9%, p=0.0001), and chronic exocrine changes (73.3% versus 36.9%, p<0.0001) were more common in type 1 diabetes donors than controls. Alcohol and/or cocaine use in type 1 diabetes organ donors increases exocrine pancreas pathology and islet amyloid deposition but does not affect insulitis or insulin positivity. Exocrine pathology in type 1 diabetes donors is common, and further study of the pathophysiology of these changes is needed.

Chronic marijuana usage by human pancreas donors is associated with impaired islet function

We investigated the effect of chronic marijuana use, defined as 4 times weekly for more than 3 years, on human pancreatic islets. Pancreata from deceased donors who chronically used marijuana were compared to those from age, sex and ethnicity matched non-users. The islets from marijuana-users displayed reduced insulin secretion as compared to islets from non-users upon stimulation with high glucose (AUC, 3.41 ± 0.62 versus 5.14 ±0.47, p<0.05) and high glucose plus KCl (AUC, 4.48 ± 0.41 versus 7.69 ± 0.58, p<0.001). When human islets from chronic marijuana-users were transplanted into diabetic mice, the mean reversal rate of diabetes was 35% versus 77% in animals receiving islets from non-users (p<0.01). Immunofluorescent staining for cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) was shown to be colocalized with insulin and enhanced significantly in beta cells from marijuana-users vs. non-users (CB1R intensity/islet area, 14.95 ± 2.71 vs. 3.23 ± 0.87, p<0.001). In contrast, CB1R expression was not co-localized with glucagon or somatostatin. Furthermore, isolated islets from chronic marijuana-users appeared hypertrophic. In conclusion, excessive marijuana use affects islet endocrine phenotype and function in vitro and in vivo. Given the increasing use of marijuana, our results underline the importance of including lifestyle when evaluating human islets for transplantation or research.

Alcohol and illicit drug use in people with diabetes

As the prevalence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes increases and population-level patterns of alcohol and illicit drug use evolve, clinicians will continue to encounter people with diabetes whose substance use is affecting health outcomes. Substance use contributes substantially to the population-level prevalence of cardiovascular events, cerebrovascular events, cancers, mental health conditions, road trauma, and domestic violence. Alcohol and drug use also have a measurable effect on diabetes incidence and the development of both acute and chronic diabetes-related complications. In this Review, we examine the effect of alcohol and illicit drug use on people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. We describe evidence for substance use as a risk factor for new-onset diabetes, prevalence of use in people with diabetes, evidence linking substance use with diabetes-related health outcomes, and evidence on the management of these co-occurring conditions.

Suicide Risk Assessment in Youth and Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To describe sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of youth and young adults with type 1 diabetes who endorsed suicidal ideations as part of routine depression screening and the results of their suicide risk assessments.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to assess depressive symptoms and suicide/death ideation in 550 youth and young adults with type 1 diabetes ages 10-24 years. Only individuals who endorsed suicidal/death ideations (n = 49) completed a standardized suicide risk assessment protocol and safety planning.

RESULTS

Nine percent of individuals endorsed suicidal/death ideation and of those, 83.4% reported clinically elevated depressive symptoms; 16% made a previous suicide attempt. No youth (n = 39) or young adults (n = 11) disclosed current plans or preparations for suicide, but five who expressed suicidal ideation acknowledged the lethality of insulin for an attempt. Three previously used insulin to attempt suicide. The overwhelming majority of individuals were classified as being low risk for future suicide attempt/completion. None were hospitalized as a part of the suicide risk assessment, and no suicide completions have occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study provide initial insight into the behaviors and cognitions of youth and young adults with type 1 diabetes who experience suicidal and death ideations. Comprehensive suicide risk assessment and safety planning are feasible during routine type 1 diabetes clinic appointments.

Experiences of young adults with type 1 diabetes while using alcohol and recreational drugs: An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of semi-structured interviews

AIMS

Alcohol and recreational drug use is common in young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and may account for increased morbidity and mortality. This study explores the motivations and experiences unique to this population while using alcohol and recreational drugs.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews focusing on substance use were performed with 16 young adults aged 18-35 with T1DM who drink alcohol (at least 50 g, 5 Australian standard drinks, in a single session) and/or used recreational drugs. A qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of the interview data was performed by three clinicians with differing expertise (a psychologist, endocrinologist and addiction medicine specialist).

RESULTS

A range of motivations, experiences and harm reduction strategies regarding substance use were described specific to young adults with T1DM with most aimed at mitigating the risk of hypoglycaemia. Clinicians remained the most trusted resources, however, substance use was rarely discussed at clinical encounters. Currently available information, especially for illicit drugs, was described as inadequate.

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis identified experiences unique to young adults with T1DM when using alcohol and other drugs. Understanding these experiences and how these young adults attempt to mitigate the risks of substance use may lead to improved clinical interactions and management strategies.

Diabetes hospitalizations and deaths in a cohort of treatment-seeking illicit drug users

Background:

Studies on diabetes among illicit drug users are scarce in Finland. This study aimed to describe hospitalization and death due to diabetes among treatment-seeking illicit drug users.

Methods:

Information of 4817 treatment-seeking drug users (3365 men and 1452 women) aged 11–65 years (mean 24.5 years) was linked to the Finnish national hospital discharge register and the national death registry to identify those clients who were hospitalized or died from diabetes mellitus during 1997–2013.

Results:

Fifty-three persons (42 men and 11 women) had primary diagnoses of diabetes, with a total of 146 hospitalizations (121 among men and 25 among women). The total length of stay among men (1183 days) far exceeded those of women (138 days). Overall, type 1 diabetes was the main contributor to hospitalizations (67%, n = 98/146). The proportion of Type 1 diabetes with complications was 31% in men (n = 37/121) and 44% in women (n = 11/25). All cases of deaths due to diabetes (n = 7) occurred in men.

Conclusion:

Diabetes hospitalizations were mainly due to Type 1 diabetes. Longer length of hospital stay was observed in men, and all diabetes deaths occurred among men. Male drug users and drug users in general would require more support to reduce morbidity and mortality due to diabetes.