1
|
Domínguez A, Koch S, Marquez S, de Castro M, Urquiza J, Evandt J, Oftedal B, Aasvang GM, Kampouri M, Vafeiadi M, Mon-Williams M, Lewer D, Lepeule J, Andrusaityte S, Vrijheid M, Guxens M, Nieuwenhuijsen M. Childhood exposure to outdoor air pollution in different microenvironments and cognitive and fine motor function in children from six European cohorts. Environ Res 2024; 247:118174. [PMID: 38244968 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to air pollution during childhood has been linked with adverse effects on cognitive development and motor function. However, limited research has been done on the associations of air pollution exposure in different microenvironments such as home, school, or while commuting with these outcomes. OBJECTIVE To analyze the association between childhood air pollution exposure in different microenvironments and cognitive and fine motor function from six European birth cohorts. METHODS We included 1301 children from six European birth cohorts aged 6-11 years from the HELIX project. Average outdoor air pollutants concentrations (NO2, PM2.5) were estimated using land use regression models for different microenvironments (home, school, and commute), for 1-year before the outcome assessment. Attentional function, cognitive flexibility, non-verbal intelligence, and fine motor function were assessed using the Attention Network Test, Trail Making Test A and B, Raven Colored Progressive Matrices test, and the Finger Tapping test, respectively. Adjusted linear regressions models were run to determine the association between each air pollutant from each microenvironment on each outcome. RESULTS In pooled analysis we observed high correlation (rs = 0.9) between air pollution exposures levels at home and school. However, the cohort-by-cohort analysis revealed correlations ranging from low to moderate. Air pollution exposure levels while commuting were higher than at home or school. Exposure to air pollution in the different microenvironments was not associated with working memory, attentional function, non-verbal intelligence, and fine motor function. Results remained consistently null in random-effects meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS No association was observed between outdoor air pollution exposure in different microenvironments (home, school, commute) and cognitive and fine motor function in children from six European birth cohorts. Future research should include a more detailed exposure assessment, considering personal measurements and time spent in different microenvironments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alan Domínguez
- ISGlobal, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sarah Koch
- ISGlobal, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sandra Marquez
- ISGlobal, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Montserrat de Castro
- ISGlobal, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Urquiza
- ISGlobal, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorun Evandt
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Department of Air Quality and Noise, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bente Oftedal
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Department of Air Quality and Noise, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gunn Marit Aasvang
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Department of Air Quality and Noise, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mariza Kampouri
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Marina Vafeiadi
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Mark Mon-Williams
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, UK
| | - Dan Lewer
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, UK
| | - Johanna Lepeule
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, CNRS, Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Development and Respiratory Health, IAB, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Sandra Andrusaityte
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Martine Vrijheid
- ISGlobal, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mònica Guxens
- ISGlobal, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mark Nieuwenhuijsen
- ISGlobal, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lewer D, Edge C. Preventing deaths after prison release. Lancet 2024:S0140-6736(24)00652-4. [PMID: 38614114 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(24)00652-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Lewer
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London WC1E 7HB, UK; Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford, UK.
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
van Hest N, Brothers TD, Williamson A, Lewer D. Health-care resource use among patients who use illicit opioids in England, 2010-20: A descriptive matched cohort study. Addiction 2024; 119:730-740. [PMID: 38049387 DOI: 10.1111/add.16401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS People who use illicit opioids have higher mortality and morbidity than the general population. Limited quantitative research has investigated how this population engages with health-care, particularly regarding planned and primary care. We aimed to measure health-care use among patients with a history of illicit opioid use in England across five settings: general practice (GP), hospital outpatient care, emergency departments, emergency hospital admissions and elective hospital admissions. DESIGN This was a matched cohort study using Clinical Practice Research Datalink and Hospital Episode Statistics. SETTING Primary and secondary care practices in England took part in the study. PARTICIPANTS A total of 57 421 patients with a history of illicit opioid use were identified by GPs between 2010 and 2020, and 172 263 patients with no recorded history of illicit opioid use matched by age, sex and practice. MEASUREMENTS We estimated the rate (events per unit of time) of attendance and used quasi-Poisson regression (unadjusted and adjusted) to estimate rate ratios between groups. We also compared rates of planned and unplanned hospital admissions for diagnoses and calculated excess admissions and rate ratios between groups. FINDINGS A history of using illicit opioids was associated with higher rates of health-care use in all settings. Rate ratios for those with a history of using illicit opioids relative to those without were 2.38 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.36-2.41] for GP; 1.99 (95% CI = 1.94-2.03) for hospital outpatient visits; 2.80 (95% CI = 2.73-2.87) for emergency department visits; 4.98 (95% CI = 4.82-5.14) for emergency hospital admissions; and 1.76 (95% CI = 1.60-1.94) for elective hospital admissions. For emergency hospital admissions, diagnoses with the most excess admissions were drug-related and respiratory conditions, and those with the highest rate ratios were personality and behaviour (25.5, 95% CI = 23.5-27.6), drug-related (21.2, 95% CI = 20.1-21.6) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (19.4, 95% CI = 18.7-20.2). CONCLUSIONS Patients who use illicit opioids in England appear to access health services more often than people of the same age and sex who do not use illicit opioids among a wide range of health-care settings. The difference is especially large for emergency care, which probably reflects both episodic illness and decompensation of long-term conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naomi van Hest
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Thomas D Brothers
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Andrea Williamson
- School of Health and Wellbeing, MVLS, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Dan Lewer
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Holland A, Brothers TD, Lewer D, Maynard OM, Southwell M. "Safer supply" alternatives to toxic unregulated drug markets. BMJ 2024; 384:q6. [PMID: 38199644 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.q6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Adam Holland
- University of Bristol, Oakfield Grove, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Thomas D Brothers
- These authors contributed equally and are listed in alphabetical order
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Dan Lewer
- These authors contributed equally and are listed in alphabetical order
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Institute for Health Research Temple Bank House, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford, UK
| | - Olivia M Maynard
- These authors contributed equally and are listed in alphabetical order
- University of Bristol, School of Psychological Science, Clifton, Bristol, UK
| | - Mat Southwell
- These authors contributed equally and are listed in alphabetical order
- European Network of People who Use Drugs
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lewer D, Gilbody S, Lewis G, Pryce J, Santorelli G, Wadman R, Watmuff A, Wright J. How do schools influence the emotional and behavioural health of their pupils? A multi-level analysis of 135 schools in the Born in Bradford inner city multi-ethnic birth cohort. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2024:10.1007/s00127-023-02608-8. [PMID: 38195962 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-023-02608-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To estimate variation in emotional and behavioural problems between primary schools in Bradford, an ethnically diverse and relatively deprived city in the UK. METHODS We did a cross-sectional analysis of data collected from 2017 to 2021 as part of the 'Born In Bradford' birth cohort study. We used multilevel linear regression in which the dependent variable was the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) total score, with a random intercept for schools. We adjusted for pupil-level characteristics including age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and parental mental health. RESULTS The study included 5,036 participants from 135 schools. Participants were aged 7-11 years and 56% were of Pakistani heritage. The mean SDQ score was 8.84 out of a maximum 40. We estimated that the standard deviation in school-level scores was 1.41 (95% CI 1.11-1.74) and 5.49% (95% CI 3.19-9.37%) of variation was explained at school level. After adjusting for pupil characteristics, the standard deviation of school-level scores was 1.04 (95% CI 0.76-1.32) and 3.51% (95% CI 1.75-6.18%) of variation was explained at school level. Simulation suggested that a primary school with 396 pupils at the middle of the distribution has 63 pupils (95% CI 49-78) with a 'raised' SDQ score of 15 + /40; and shifting a school from the lower to the upper quartile would prevent 26 cases (95% CI 5-46). CONCLUSION The prevalence of emotional and behavioural problems varies between schools. This is partially explained by pupil characteristics; though residual variation in adjusted scores may suggest that schools have a differential impact on mental wellbeing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Lewer
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Duckworth Lane, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, UK
- Department for Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Simon Gilbody
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Duckworth Lane, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, UK
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Gemma Lewis
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Joseph Pryce
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Duckworth Lane, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, UK
| | - Gillian Santorelli
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Duckworth Lane, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, UK
| | - Ruth Wadman
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Aidan Watmuff
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Duckworth Lane, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, UK
| | - John Wright
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Duckworth Lane, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
O'Nions E, Lewer D, Petersen I, Brown J, Buckman JE, Charlton R, Cooper C, El Baou CÉ, Happé F, Manthorpe J, McKechnie DG, Richards M, Saunders R, Zanker C, Mandy W, Stott J. Estimating life expectancy and years of life lost for autistic people in the UK: a matched cohort study. Lancet Reg Health Eur 2024; 36:100776. [PMID: 38188276 PMCID: PMC10769892 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Background Previous research has shown that people who have been diagnosed autistic are more likely to die prematurely than the general population. However, statistics on premature mortality in autistic people have often been misinterpreted. In this study we aimed to estimate the life expectancy and years of life lost experienced by autistic people living in the UK. Methods We studied people in the IQVIA Medical Research Database with an autism diagnosis between January 1, 1989 and January 16, 2019. For each participant diagnosed autistic, we included ten comparison participants without an autism diagnosis, matched by age, sex, and primary care practice. We calculated age- and sex-standardised mortality ratios comparing people diagnosed autistic to the reference group. We used Poisson regression to estimate age-specific mortality rates, and life tables to estimate life expectancy at age 18 and years of life lost. We analysed the data separately by sex, and for people with and without a record of intellectual disability. We discuss the findings in the light of the prevalence of recorded diagnosis of autism in primary care compared to community estimates. Findings From a cohort of nearly 10 million people, we identified 17,130 participants diagnosed autistic without an intellectual disability (matched with 171,300 comparison participants), and 6450 participants diagnosed autistic with an intellectual disability (matched with 64,500 comparison participants). The apparent estimates indicated that people diagnosed with autism but not intellectual disability had 1.71 (95% CI: 1.39-2.11) times the mortality rate of people without these diagnoses. People diagnosed with autism and intellectual disability had 2.83 (95% CI: 2.33-3.43) times the mortality rate of people without these diagnoses. Likewise, the apparent reduction in life expectancy for people diagnosed with autism but not intellectual disability was 6.14 years (95% CI: 2.84-9.07) for men and 6.45 years (95% CI: 1.37-11.58 years) for women. The apparent reduction in life expectancy for people diagnosed with autism and intellectual disability was 7.28 years (95% CI: 3.78-10.27) for men and 14.59 years (95% CI: 9.45-19.02 years) for women. However, these findings are likely to be subject to exposure misclassification biases: very few autistic adults and older-adults have been diagnosed, meaning that we could only study a fraction of the total autistic population. Those who have been diagnosed may well be those with greater support needs and more co-occurring health conditions than autistic people on average. Interpretation The findings indicate that there is a group of autistic people who experience premature mortality, which is of significant concern. There is an urgent need for investigation into the reasons behind this. However, our estimates suggest that the widely reported statistic that autistic people live 16-years less on average is likely incorrect. Nine out of 10 autistic people may have been undiagnosed across the time-period studied. Hence, the results of our study do not generalise to all autistic people. Diagnosed autistic adults, and particularly older adults, are likely those with greater-than-average support needs. Therefore, we may have over-estimated the reduction in life expectancy experienced by autistic people on average. The larger reduction in life expectancy for women diagnosed with autism and intellectual disability vs. men may in part reflect disproportionate underdiagnosis of autism and/or intellectual disability in women. Funding Dunhill Medical Trust, Medical Research Council, National Institute for Health and Care Research, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth O'Nions
- UCL Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, 1 – 19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Dan Lewer
- Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Duckworth Lane, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, UK
| | - Irene Petersen
- UCL Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, UCL Medical School (Royal Free Campus), Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Jude Brown
- National Autistic Society, 393 City Rd, London, EC1V 1NG, UK
| | - Joshua E.J. Buckman
- UCL Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, 1 – 19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
- iCope – Camden & Islington NHS Foundation Trust, St Pancras Hospital, London, NW1 0PE, UK
| | - Rebecca Charlton
- Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths University of London, New Cross, London, SE14 6NW, UK
| | - Claudia Cooper
- Queen Mary University of London, Centre for Psychiatry and Mental Health, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, London, E1 2AD, UK
| | - CÉline El Baou
- UCL Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, 1 – 19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Francesca Happé
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Memory Lane, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Jill Manthorpe
- NIHR Health & Social Care Workforce Research Unit, King's College London, Strand, London, WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Douglas G.J. McKechnie
- UCL Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, UCL Medical School (Royal Free Campus), Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Marcus Richards
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Rob Saunders
- UCL Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, 1 – 19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | | | - Will Mandy
- UCL Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, 1 – 19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Joshua Stott
- UCL Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, 1 – 19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Stevens A, Hendrie N, Bacon M, Parrott S, Monaghan M, Williams E, Lewer D, Moore A, Berlin J, Cunliffe J, Quinton P. Correction: Evaluating police drug diversion in England: protocol for a realist evaluation. Health Justice 2023; 11:52. [PMID: 38112934 PMCID: PMC10729508 DOI: 10.1186/s40352-023-00255-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Dan Lewer
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford, UK
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhang CX, Lewer D, Aldridge RW, Hayward AC, Cornaglia C, Trussell P, Lillford-Wildman C, Castle J, Gommon J, Campos-Matos I. Small numbers, big impact: making a utilitarian case for the contribution of inclusion health to population health in England. J Epidemiol Community Health 2023; 77:816-820. [PMID: 37734936 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2023-220849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Inclusion health groups make up a small proportion of the general population, so despite the extreme social exclusion and poor health outcomes that these groups experience, they are often overlooked in public health investment and policy development. In this paper, we demonstrate that a utilitarian argument can be made for investment in better support for inclusion health groups despite their small size. That is, by preventing social exclusion, there is the potential for large aggregate health benefits to the whole population. We illustrate this by reframing existing published mortality estimates into population attributable fractions to show that 12% of all-cause premature deaths (95% CI 10.03% to 14.29%) are attributable to the circumstances of people who experience homelessness, use drugs and/or have been in prison. We also show that a large proportion of cause-specific premature deaths in the general population can be attributed to specific inclusion health groups, such as 43% of deaths due to viral hepatitis (95% CI 30.35% to 56.61%) and nearly 4000 deaths due to cancer (3844, 95% CI 3438 to 4285) between 2013 and 2021 attributed to individuals who use illicit opioids. Considering the complexity of the inclusion health policy context and the sparseness of evidence, we discuss how a shift in policy framing from 'inclusion health vs the rest of the population' to 'the impact of social exclusion on broader population health' makes a better case for increased policy attention and investment in inclusion health. We discuss the strengths and limitations of this approach and how it can be applied to public health policy, resource prioritisation and future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claire X Zhang
- Addictions & Inclusion Directorate, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care, London, UK
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Dan Lewer
- Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, University College London, London, UK
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, University College London, London, UK
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford, UK
| | - Robert W Aldridge
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew C Hayward
- Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, University College London, London, UK
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Carlotta Cornaglia
- Addictions & Inclusion Directorate, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care, London, UK
| | - Peta Trussell
- Addictions & Inclusion Directorate, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care, London, UK
| | - Charlotte Lillford-Wildman
- Addictions & Inclusion Directorate, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care, London, UK
| | - Joanna Castle
- Addictions & Inclusion Directorate, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care, London, UK
| | - Jake Gommon
- Addictions & Inclusion Directorate, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care, London, UK
| | - Ines Campos-Matos
- Addictions & Inclusion Directorate, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Brothers TD, Lewer D, Jones N, Colledge-Frisby S, Bonn M, Wheeler A, Grebely J, Farrell M, Hickman M, Hayward A, Degenhardt L. Effect of incarceration and opioid agonist treatment transitions on risk of hospitalisation with injection drug use-associated bacterial infections: A self-controlled case series in New South Wales, Australia. Int J Drug Policy 2023; 122:104218. [PMID: 37813083 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transitional times in opioid use, such as release from prison and discontinuation of opioid agonist treatment (OAT), are associated with health harms due to changing drug consumption practices and limited access to health and social supports. Using a self-controlled (within-person) study design, we aimed to understand if these transitions increase risks of injection drug use-associated bacterial infections. METHODS We performed a self-controlled case series among a cohort of people with opioid use disorder (who had all previously accessed OAT) in New South Wales, Australia, 2001-2018. The outcome was hospitalisation with injecting-related bacterial infections. We divided participants' observed days into time windows related to incarceration and OAT receipt. We compared hospitalization rates during focal (exposure) windows and referent (control) windows (i.e., 5-52 weeks continuously not incarcerated or continuously receiving OAT). We estimated adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRR) using conditional logistic regression, adjusted for time-varying confounders. RESULTS There were 7590 participants who experienced hospitalisation with injecting-related bacterial infections (35% female; median age 38 years; 78% hospitalised with skin and soft-tissue infections). Risk for injecting-related bacterial infections was elevated for two weeks following release from prison (aIRR 1.45; 95%CI 1.22-1.72). Risk was increased during two weeks before (aIRR 1.89; 95%CI 1.59-2.25) and after (aIRR 1.91; 95%CI 1.54-2.36) discontinuation of OAT, and during two weeks before (aIRR 3.63; 95%CI 3.13-4.22) and after (aIRR 2.52; 95%CI 2.09-3.04) OAT initiation. CONCLUSION Risk of injecting-related bacterial infections varies greatly within-individuals over time. Risk is raised immediately after prison release, and around initiation and discontinuation of OAT. Social contextual factors likely contribute to excess risks at transitions in incarceration and OAT exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas D Brothers
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Australia; UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, United Kingdom; Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Canada.
| | - Dan Lewer
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Australia; UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, United Kingdom; Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Jones
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Matthew Bonn
- Canadian Association of People who Use Drugs (CAPUD), Canada
| | - Alice Wheeler
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jason Grebely
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael Farrell
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Hayward
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, United Kingdom
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Stevens A, Hendrie N, Bacon M, Parrott S, Monaghan M, Williams E, Lewer D, Moore A, Berlin J, Cunliffe J, Quinton P. Evaluating police drug diversion in England: protocol for a realist evaluation. Health Justice 2023; 11:46. [PMID: 37968494 PMCID: PMC10652635 DOI: 10.1186/s40352-023-00249-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing international interest in the use of police drug diversion schemes that offer people suspected of minor drug-related offences an educative or therapeutic intervention as an alternative to criminalisation. While there have been randomised trials of some such schemes for their effects on reducing offending, with generally positive results, less is known about the health outcomes, and what works, for whom, in what circumstances and why. This protocol reports on a realist evaluation of police drug diversion in England that has been coproduced by a team of academic, policing, health, and service user partners. The overall study design combines a qualitative assessment of the implementation, contexts, mechanisms, moderators and outcomes of schemes in Durham, Thames Valley and the West Midlands with a quantitative, quasi-experimental analysis of administrative data on the effects of being exposed to the presence of police drug diversion on reoffending and health outcomes. These will be supplemented with analysis of the cost-consequences of the evaluated schemes, an analysis of the equity of their implementation and effects, and a realist synthesis of the various findings from these different methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Dan Lewer
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford, UK
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Brothers TD, Bonn M, Lewer D, Comeau E, Kim I, Webster D, Hayward A, Harris M. Social and structural determinants of injection drug use-associated bacterial and fungal infections: A qualitative systematic review and thematic synthesis. Addiction 2023; 118:1853-1877. [PMID: 37170877 DOI: 10.1111/add.16257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Injection drug use-associated bacterial and fungal infections are increasingly common, and social contexts shape individuals' injecting practices and treatment experiences. We sought to synthesize qualitative studies of social-structural factors influencing incidence and treatment of injecting-related infections. METHODS We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL and PsycINFO from 1 January 2000 to 18 February 2021. Informed by Rhodes' 'risk environment' framework, we performed thematic synthesis in three stages: (1) line-by-line coding; (2) organizing codes into descriptive themes, reflecting interpretations of study authors; and (3) consolidating descriptive themes into conceptual categories to identify higher-order analytical themes. RESULTS We screened 4841 abstracts and included 26 qualitative studies on experiences of injecting-related bacterial and fungal infections. We identified six descriptive themes organized into two analytical themes. The first analytical theme, social production of risk, considered macro-environmental influences. Four descriptive themes highlighted pathways through which this occurs: (1) unregulated drug supply, leading to poor drug quality and solubility; (2) unsafe spaces, influenced by policing practices and insecure housing; (3) health-care policies and practices, leading to negative experiences that discourage access to care; and (4) restrictions on harm reduction programmes, including structural barriers to effective service provision. The second analytical theme, practices of care among people who use drugs, addressed protective strategies that people employ within infection risk environments. Associated descriptive themes were: (5) mutual care, including assisted-injecting and sharing sterile equipment; and (6) self-care, including vein health and self-treatment. Within constraining risk environments, some protective strategies for bacterial infections precipitated other health risks (e.g. HIV transmission). CONCLUSIONS Injecting-related bacterial and fungal infections are shaped by modifiable social-structural factors, including poor quality unregulated drugs, criminalization and policing enforcement, insufficient housing, limited harm reduction services and harmful health-care practices. People who inject drugs navigate these barriers while attempting to protect themselves and their community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas D Brothers
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Matthew Bonn
- Canadian Association of People who Use Drugs (CAPUD), Dartmouth, Canada
| | - Dan Lewer
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | - Emilie Comeau
- Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Inhwa Kim
- Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Duncan Webster
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Saint John Regional Hospital, Saint John, Canada
| | - Andrew Hayward
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | - Magdalena Harris
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Lewer D, Brothers TD, Croxford S, Desai M, Emanuel E, Harris M, Hope VD. Opioid Injection-Associated Bacterial Infections in England, 2002-2021: A Time Series Analysis of Seasonal Variation and the Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 77:338-345. [PMID: 36916065 PMCID: PMC10425189 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacterial infections cause substantial pain and disability among people who inject drugs. We described time trends in hospital admissions for injecting-related infections in England. METHODS We analyzed hospital admissions in England between January 2002 and December 2021. We included patients with infections commonly caused by drug injection, including cutaneous abscesses, cellulitis, endocarditis, or osteomyelitis, and a diagnosis of opioid use disorder. We used Poisson regression to estimate seasonal variation and changes associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response. RESULTS There were 92 303 hospital admissions for injection-associated infections between 2002 and 2021. Eighty-seven percent were skin, soft-tissue, or vascular infections; 72% of patients were male; and the median age increased from 31 years in 2002 to 42 years in 2021. The rate of admissions reduced from 13.97 per day (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.59-14.36) in 2003 to 8.94 (95% CI, 8.64-9.25) in 2011, then increased to 18.91 (95% CI, 18.46-19.36) in 2019. At the introduction of COVID-19 response in March 2020, the rate of injection-associated infections reduced by 35.3% (95% CI, 32.1-38.4). Injection-associated infections were also seasonal; the rate was 1.21 (95% CI, 1.18-1.24) times higher in July than in February. CONCLUSIONS This incidence of opioid injection-associated infections varies within years and reduced following COVID-19 response measures. This suggests that social and structural factors such as housing and the degree of social mixing may contribute to the risk of infection, supporting investment in improved social conditions for this population as a means to reduce the burden of injecting-related infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Lewer
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, UCL, London, United Kingdom
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas D Brothers
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, UCL, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Sara Croxford
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Monica Desai
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eva Emanuel
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Magdalena Harris
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vivian D Hope
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
- Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Brothers TD, Lewer D, Bonn M. Sublingual Buprenorphine-Naloxone Exposure and Dental Disease. JAMA 2023; 329:1224. [PMID: 37039797 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.1498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas D Brothers
- Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Dan Lewer
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, England
| | - Matthew Bonn
- Canadian Association of People Who Use Drugs (CAPUD), Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Lewer D, Brothers TD, Gasparrini A, Strang J. Seasonal, weekly and other cyclical patterns in deaths due to drug poisoning in England and Wales. Addiction 2023. [PMID: 36843423 DOI: 10.1111/add.16175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM The rate of drug poisoning (or overdose) deaths in England and Wales has risen annually since 2010. We aimed to measure seasonal and other cyclical changes in these deaths within years. METHODS We used the daily count of deaths due to drug poisoning in England and Wales between 1 January 1993 and 31 December 2018 to investigate variation by season, weekday, week-of-month and public holiday. We used Poisson regression to estimate the count of deaths per day for each of these variables and peak-to-low ratios. We also stratified the analysis by time period and whether an opioid was mentioned on the death certificate. RESULTS 78 583 deaths occurred between 1993 and 2018, increasing from 5.50 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.24-5.77) per day in 1993 to 13.18 (95% CI = 12.66-13.72) per day in 2018. The rate peaked in Spring and was 1.07 (95% CI = 1.04-1.09) times higher in April than in October. This seasonal pattern emerged in the past decade and was only present for opioid-related deaths. The rate at New Year was 1.28 (95% CI = 1.17-1.41) times higher than on non-holidays; and this peak was only present for deaths that were not related to opioids. The rate was higher on Saturday than on other weekdays. We did not find evidence that the number of deaths varied by week-of-month. CONCLUSIONS Deaths due to drug poisoning in England and Wales are seasonal and peak in Spring and briefly at New Year. This suggests a role of external triggers. These seasonal variations are small compared with long-term increases in drug-related deaths.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Lewer
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK.,UK Health Security Agency, London, UK.,Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Thomas D Brothers
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Sotia, Canada
| | - Antonio Gasparrini
- Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - John Strang
- National Addictions Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Lewer D, Brothers TD, Harris M, Rock KL, Copeland CS. Opioid-related deaths during hospital admissions or shortly after discharge in the United Kingdom: A thematic framework analysis of coroner reports. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0283549. [PMID: 37075021 PMCID: PMC10115296 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who use heroin and other illicit opioids are at high risk of fatal overdose in the days after hospital discharge, but the reasons for this risk have not been studied. METHODS We used the National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths, a database of coroner reports for deaths following psychoactive drug use in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We selected reports where the death occurred between 2010 and 2021, an opioid was detected in toxicology testing, the death was related to nonmedical opioid use, and death was either during an acute medical or psychiatric hospital admission or within 14 days after discharge. We used thematic framework analysis of factors that may contribute to the risk of death during hospital admission or after discharge. RESULTS We identified 121 coroners' reports; 42 where a patient died after using drugs during hospital admission, and 79 where death occurred shortly after discharge. The median age at death was 40 (IQR 34-46); 88 (73%) were male; and sedatives additional to opioids were detected at postmortem in 88 cases (73%), most commonly benzodiazepines. In thematic framework analysis, we categorised potential causes of fatal opioid overdose into three areas: (a) hospital policies and actions. Zero-tolerance policies mean that patients conceal drug use and use drugs in unsafe places such as locked bathrooms. Patients may be discharged to locations such as temporary hostels or the street while recovering. Some patients bring their own medicines or illicit opioids due to expectations of low-quality care, including undertreated withdrawal or pain; (b) high-risk use of sedatives. People may increase sedative use to manage symptoms of acute illness or a mental health crisis, and some may lose tolerance to opioids during a hospital admission; (c) declining health. Physical health and mobility problems posed barriers to post-discharge treatment for substance use, and some patients had sudden deteriorations in health that may have contributed to respiratory depression. CONCLUSION Hospital admissions are associated with acute health crises that increase the risk of fatal overdose for patients who use illicit opioids. Hospitals need guidance to help them care for this patient group, particularly in relation to withdrawal management, harm reduction interventions such as take-home naloxone, discharge planning including continuation of opioid agonist therapy during recovery, management of poly-sedative use, and access to palliative care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Lewer
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas D Brothers
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Magdalena Harris
- Department of Public Health, Society and Environments, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kirsten L Rock
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Centre for Pharmaceutical Medicine Research, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline S Copeland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Centre for Pharmaceutical Medicine Research, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Holland A, Stevens A, Harris M, Lewer D, Sumnall H, Stewart D, Gilvarry E, Wiseman A, Howkins J, McManus J, Shorter GW, Nicholls J, Scott J, Thomas K, Reid L, Day E, Horsley J, Measham F, Rae M, Fenton K, Hickman M. Analysis of the UK Government's 10-Year Drugs Strategy-a resource for practitioners and policymakers. J Public Health (Oxf) 2022:6779883. [PMID: 36309802 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdac114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2021, during a drug-related death crisis in the UK, the Government published its ten-year drugs strategy. This article, written in collaboration with the Faculty of Public Health and the Association of Directors of Public Health, assesses whether this Strategy is evidence-based and consistent with international calls to promote public health approaches to drugs, which put 'people, health and human rights at the centre'. Elements of the Strategy are welcome, including the promise of significant funding for drug treatment services, the effects of which will depend on how it is utilized by services and local commissioners and whether it is sustained. However, unevidenced and harmful measures to deter drug use by means of punishment continue to be promoted, which will have deleterious impacts on people who use drugs. An effective public health approach to drugs should tackle population-level risk factors, which may predispose to harmful patterns of drug use, including adverse childhood experiences and socioeconomic deprivation, and institute evidence-based measures to mitigate drug-related harm. This would likely be more effective, and just, than the continuation of policies rooted in enforcement. A more dramatic re-orientation of UK drug policy than that offered by the Strategy is overdue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam Holland
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Alex Stevens
- School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NZ
| | - Magdalena Harris
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Dan Lewer
- Public Health Specialty Registrar, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Harry Sumnall
- Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 5UX, UK
| | - Daniel Stewart
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Eilish Gilvarry
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Alice Wiseman
- Association of Directors of Public Health, London, EC4Y 0HA, UK
| | - Joshua Howkins
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Jim McManus
- Association of Directors of Public Health, London, EC4Y 0HA, UK
| | | | - James Nicholls
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Jenny Scott
- Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY
| | - Kyla Thomas
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | | | - Edward Day
- Institute of Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT
| | - Jason Horsley
- National Institute for Health Research Evaluation Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Fiona Measham
- Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3BX
| | - Maggie Rae
- Epidemiological and Public Health Section, Royal Society of Medicine, London, W1G 0AE, UK
| | | | - Matthew Hickman
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Lewer D, Cox S, Hurst JR, Padmanathan P, Petersen I, Quint JK. Burden and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among people using illicit opioids: matched cohort study in England. BMJ Med 2022; 1:e000215. [PMID: 36568709 PMCID: PMC9770021 DOI: 10.1136/bmjmed-2022-000215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Objective To understand the burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among people who use illicit opioids such as heroin, and evaluate inequalities in treatment. Design Cohort study. Setting Patients registered at primary care practices in England. Participants 106 789 patients in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink with illicit opioid use recorded between 2001 and 2018, and a subcohort of 3903 patients with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. For both cohorts, the study sampled a comparison group with no history of illicit opioids that was matched by age, sex, and general practice. Main outcome measures In the base cohort: diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and death due to the disease. In the subcohort: five treatments (influenza vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, pulmonary rehabilitation, bronchodilators or corticosteroids, and smoking cessation support) and exacerbations requiring hospital admission. Results 680 of 106 789 participants died due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, representing 5.1% of all cause deaths. Illicit opioid use was associated with 14.59 times (95% confidence interval 12.28 to 17.33) the risk of death related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 5.89 times (5.62 to 6.18) the risk of a diagnosis of the disease. Among patients with a new diagnosis, comorbid illicit opioid use was associated with current smoking, underweight, worse lung function, and more severe breathlessness. After adjusting for these differences, illicit opioids were associated with 1.96 times (1.82 to 2.12) times the risk of exacerbations requiring hospital admission, but not associated with a substantially different probability of the five treatments. Conclusions Death due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is about 15 times more common among people who use illicit opioids than the general population. This inequality does not appear to be explained by differences in treatment, but late diagnosis of the disease among people who use illicit opioids might contribute.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Lewer
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, University College London, London, UK,Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sharon Cox
- Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, London, UK
| | - John R Hurst
- UCL Respiratory, University College London, London, UK
| | - Prianka Padmanathan
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Irene Petersen
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jennifer K Quint
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Grimm F, Lewer D, Craig J, Rogans-Watson R, Shand J. Conditions associated with the initiation of domiciliary care following a hospital admission: a cohort study in East London, England. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e061875. [PMID: 36109027 PMCID: PMC9511602 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Older people and people with complex needs often require both health and social care services, but there is limited insight into individual journeys across these services. To help inform joint health and social care planning, we aimed to assess the relationship between hospital admissions and domiciliary care receipt. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study, using linked data on primary care activity, hospital admissions and social care records. SETTING London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, England. PARTICIPANTS Adults aged 19 and over who lived in the area on 1 April 2018 and who were registered at a general practice in East London between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2020 (n=140 987). OUTCOME MEASURES The outcome was initiation of domiciliary care. We estimated the rate of hospital-associated care package initiation, and of care packages unrelated to hospital admission. We also described the characteristics of hospital admissions that preceded domiciliary care, including primary diagnosis codes. RESULTS 2041/140 987 (1.4%) participants had a domiciliary care package during a median follow-up of 1.87 years. 32.6% of packages were initiated during a hospital stay or within 7 days of discharge. The rate of new domiciliary care packages was 120 times greater (95% CI 110 to 130) during or after a hospital stay than at other times, and this association was present for all age groups. Primary admission reasons accounting for the largest number of domiciliary care packages were hip fracture, pneumonia, stroke, urinary tract infection, septicaemia and exacerbations of long-term conditions (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure). Admission reasons with the greatest likelihood of a subsequent domiciliary care package were fractures and strokes. CONCLUSION Hospitals are a major referral route into domiciliary care. While patients admitted due to new and acute illnesses account for many domiciliary care packages, exacerbations of long-term conditions and age-related and frailty-related conditions are also important drivers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Grimm
- Data Analytics, The Health Foundation, London, UK
| | - Dan Lewer
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, University College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Jenny Shand
- Care City Innovation, Barking, UK
- UCLPartners, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Lewer D, Croxford S, Desai M, Emanuel E, Hope VD, McAuley A, Phipps E, Tweed EJ. The characteristics of people who inject drugs in the United Kingdom: changes in age, duration, and incidence of injecting, 1980-2019, using evidence from repeated cross-sectional surveys. Addiction 2022; 117:2471-2480. [PMID: 35546310 PMCID: PMC9544601 DOI: 10.1111/add.15911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Mortality and drug treatment data suggest that the median age of people who inject drugs is increasing. We aimed to describe changes in the characteristics of people injecting drugs in the United Kingdom (UK). DESIGN Repeat cross-sectional surveys and modelling. SETTING Low-threshold services in the United Kingdom such as needle and syringe programmes. PARTICIPANTS A total of 79 900 people who recently injected psychoactive drugs in the United Kingdom, recruited as part of the Unlinked Anonymous Monitoring Survey (England, Wales, Northern Ireland, 1990-2019) and Needle Exchange Surveillance Initiative (Scotland, 2008-2019). MEASUREMENTS Age of people currently injecting, age at first injection, duration of injecting (each 1990-2019) and estimates of new people who started injecting (1980-2019). FINDINGS In England, Wales and Northern Ireland between 1990 and 2019, the median age of people injecting increased from 27 (interquartile range [IQR], 24-31) to 40 (IQR, 34-46); median age at first injection increased from 22 (IQR, 19-25) to 33 (IQR, 28-39); and median years of injecting increased from 7 (IQR, 3-11) to 18 (IQR, 9-23). Values in Scotland and England were similar after 2008. The estimated number that started injecting annually in England increased from 5470 (95% prediction interval [PrI] 3120-6940) in 1980 to a peak of 10 270 (95% PrI, 8980-12 780) in 1998, and then decreased to 2420 (95% PrI, 1320-5580) in 2019. The number in Scotland followed a similar pattern, increasing from 1220 (95% PrI, 740-2430) in 1980 to a peak of 3080 (95% PrI, 2160-3350) in 1998, then decreased to a 270 (95% PrI, 130-600) in 2018. The timing of the peak differed between regions, with earlier peaks in London and the North West of England. CONCLUSIONS In the United Kingdom, large cohorts started injecting psychoactive drugs in the 1980s and 1990s and many still inject today. Relatively few people started in more recent years. This has led to changes in the population injecting drugs, including an older average age and longer injecting histories.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Lewer
- Public Health and Clinical DirectorateUK Health Security AgencyLondonUK,Department of Epidemiology and Public HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK,Clinical and Protecting Health DirectoratePublic Health Scotland, UKGlasgowUK
| | - Sara Croxford
- Public Health and Clinical DirectorateUK Health Security AgencyLondonUK
| | - Monica Desai
- Public Health and Clinical DirectorateUK Health Security AgencyLondonUK
| | - Eva Emanuel
- Public Health and Clinical DirectorateUK Health Security AgencyLondonUK
| | - Vivian D. Hope
- Public Health and Clinical DirectorateUK Health Security AgencyLondonUK,Public Health InstituteLiverpool John Moores UniversityLiverpoolUK
| | - Andrew McAuley
- Clinical and Protecting Health DirectoratePublic Health Scotland, UKGlasgowUK,School of Health and Life SciencesGlasgow Caledonian UniversityGlasgowUK
| | - Emily Phipps
- Public Health and Clinical DirectorateUK Health Security AgencyLondonUK
| | - Emily J. Tweed
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences UnitUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Zhang CX, Boukari Y, Pathak N, Mathur R, Katikireddi SV, Patel P, Campos-Matos I, Lewer D, Nguyen V, Hugenholtz GC, Burns R, Mulick A, Henderson A, Aldridge RW. Migrants' primary care utilisation before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in England: An interrupted time series analysis. Lancet Reg Health Eur 2022; 20:100455. [PMID: 35789753 PMCID: PMC9243519 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2022.100455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background How international migrants access and use primary care in England is poorly understood. We aimed to compare primary care consultation rates between international migrants and non-migrants in England before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2015-2020). Methods Using data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) GOLD, we identified migrants using country-of-birth, visa-status or other codes indicating international migration. We linked CPRD to Office for National Statistics deprivation data and ran a controlled interrupted time series (ITS) using negative binomial regression to compare rates before and during the pandemic. Findings In 262,644 individuals, pre-pandemic consultation rates per person-year were 4.35 (4.34-4.36) for migrants and 4.60 (4.59-4.60) for non-migrants (RR:0.94 [0.92-0.96]). Between 29 March and 26 December 2020, rates reduced to 3.54 (3.52-3.57) for migrants and 4.2 (4.17-4.23) for non-migrants (RR:0.84 [0.8-0.88]). The first year of the pandemic was associated with a widening of the gap in consultation rates between migrants and non-migrants to 0.89 (95% CI 0.84-0.94) times the ratio before the pandemic. This widening in ratios was greater for children, individuals whose first language was not English, and individuals of White British, White non-British and Black/African/Caribbean/Black British ethnicities. It was also greater in the case of telephone consultations, particularly in London. Interpretation Migrants were less likely to use primary care than non-migrants before the pandemic and the first year of the pandemic exacerbated this difference. As GP practices retain remote and hybrid models of service delivery, they must improve services and ensure primary care is accessible and responsive to migrants' healthcare needs. Funding This study was funded by the Medical Research Council (MC_PC 19070 and MR/V028375/1) and a Wellcome Clinical Research Career Development Fellowship (206602).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claire X. Zhang
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, 222 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DA, United Kingdom
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care, 39 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0EU, United Kingdom
- National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LF, United Kingdom
| | - Yamina Boukari
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, 222 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DA, United Kingdom
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care, 39 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0EU, United Kingdom
| | - Neha Pathak
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, 222 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DA, United Kingdom
- Guy's & St Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - Rohini Mathur
- Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi
- MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Berkeley Square, 99 Berkeley Street, Glasgow G3 7HR, United Kingdom
| | - Parth Patel
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, 222 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DA, United Kingdom
| | - Ines Campos-Matos
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care, 39 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0EU, United Kingdom
- UK Health Security Agency, Wellington House, 133–155, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8UG, United Kingdom
| | - Dan Lewer
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, United Kingdom
| | - Vincent Nguyen
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, 222 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DA, United Kingdom
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, United Kingdom
| | - Greg C.G. Hugenholtz
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, 222 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DA, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Burns
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, 222 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DA, United Kingdom
| | - Amy Mulick
- Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Alasdair Henderson
- Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Robert W. Aldridge
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, 222 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DA, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Grimm F, Lewer D, Craig J, Rogans-Watson R, Shand J. Using cross-sector data linkage to track patient journeys across health and social care. Int J Popul Data Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.23889/ijpds.v7i3.1785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectivesOlder people and people with complex needs often require both health and social care services, but there is limited insight into individual journeys across these services. To help inform joint health and social care planning, we aimed to assess the relationship between hospital admissions and domiciliary care receipt.
ApproachWe used an individually linked dataset of primary care activity, hospital admissions and local authority-held social care records for adults living in Barking and Dagenham, a borough in London, England, on 1 April 2018, and followed them up until 31 March 2020. The outcome was initiation of a new domiciliary care package. We estimated the rate of hospital-associated care package initiation, and of care packages unrelated to hospital admissions. We also described the characteristics of hospital admissions that preceded domiciliary care and examined which primary diagnoses codes were associated with receiving domiciliary care after discharge.
ResultsIn our cohort, 1.4 of participants had a domiciliary care package during a median follow-up of 1.87 years. One in three domiciliary care packages were initiated during a hospital stay or within 7 days of discharge. The rate of new domiciliary care packages was 120 times greater (95% CI 110-130) during or after a hospital stay than at other times, and this association was present for all age groups. Primary admission reasons accounting for the largest number of domiciliary care packages were hip fracture, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, septicaemia, and exacerbations of long-term conditions (COPD and heart failure). Admission reasons with the greatest likelihood of a subsequent domiciliary care package were fractures and strokes.
ConclusionHospitals are a major referral route into domiciliary care. While new and acute illnesses account for many domiciliary care packages, exacerbations of long-term conditions and age- and frailty-related conditions are also an important driver. National-level linked datasets are needed for a better understanding of the relationship between health and social care receipt.
Collapse
|
22
|
Colledge-Frisby S, Jones N, Larney S, Peacock A, Lewer D, Brothers TD, Hickman M, Farrell M, Degenhardt L. The impact of opioid agonist treatment on hospitalisations for injecting-related diseases among an opioid dependent population: A retrospective data linkage study. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 236:109494. [PMID: 35605532 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Injecting-related bacterial and fungal infections cause substantial illness and disability among people who use illicit drugs. Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) reduces injecting frequency and the transmission of blood borne viruses. We estimated the impact of OAT on hospitalisations for non-viral infections and examine trends in incidence over time. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study using linked administrative data. The cohort included 47 163 individuals starting OAT between August 2001 and December 2017 in New South Wales, Australia, with 454 951 person-years of follow-up. The primary outcome was hospitalisation for an injecting-related disease. The primary exposure was OAT status (out of OAT, first four weeks of OAT, and OAT retention [i.e., more than four weeks in treatment]). Covariates included demographic characteristics, year of hospitalisation, and recent clinical treatment. RESULTS 9122 participants (19.3%) had at least one hospitalisation for any injecting-related disease. Compared to time out of treatment, retention on OAT was associated with a reduced rate of injecting-related diseases (adjusted rate ratio[ARR]=0.92; 95%CI 0.87-0.97). The first four weeks of treatment was associated with an increased rate (ARR 1.53, 95%CI 1.38-1.70), which we believe is explained by referral pathways between hospital and community OAT services. The age-adjusted incidence rates of hospitalisations for any injecting-related disease increased from 34.8 (95% CI =30.2-40.0) per 1000 person-years in 2001 to 54.9 (95%CI=51.3-58.8) in 2017. INTERPRETATION Stable OAT is associated with reduced hospitalisations for injecting-related bacterial infections; however, OAT appears insufficient to prevent these harms as the rate of these infections is increasing in Australia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Colledge-Frisby
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Nicola Jones
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sarah Larney
- CHUM Research Centre, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Amy Peacock
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia; School of Psychology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Dan Lewer
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia; UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | - Thomas D Brothers
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia; UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK; Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Michael Farrell
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Brothers TD, Leaman M, Bonn M, Lewer D, Atkinson J, Fraser J, Gillis A, Gniewek M, Hawker L, Hayman H, Jorna P, Martell D, O'Donnell T, Rivers-Bowerman H, Genge L. Evaluation of an emergency safe supply drugs and managed alcohol program in COVID-19 isolation hotel shelters for people experiencing homelessness. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 235:109440. [PMID: 35461084 PMCID: PMC8988445 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During a COVID-19 outbreak in the congregate shelter system in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, a healthcare team provided an emergency "safe supply" of medications and alcohol to facilitate isolation in COVID-19 hotel shelters for residents who use drugs and/or alcohol. We aimed to evaluate (a) substances and dosages provided, and (b) outcomes of the program. METHODS We reviewed medical records of all COVID-19 isolation hotel shelter residents during May 2021. The primary outcome was successful completion of 14 days isolation, as directed by public health orders. Adverse events included (a) overdose; (b) intoxication; and (c) diversion, selling, or sharing of medications or alcohol. RESULTS Seventy-seven isolation hotel residents were assessed (mean age 42 ± 14 years; 24% women). Sixty-two (81%) residents were provided medications, alcohol, or cigarettes. Seventeen residents (22%) received opioid agonist treatment (methadone, buprenorphine, or slow-release oral morphine) and 27 (35%) received hydromorphone. Thirty-one (40%) residents received prescriptions stimulants. Six (8%) residents received benzodiazepines and forty-two (55%) received alcohol. Over 14 days, mean daily dosages increased of hydromorphone (45 ± 32 - 57 ± 42 mg), methylphenidate (51 ± 28 - 77 ± 37 mg), and alcohol (12.3 ± 7.6 - 13.0 ± 6.9 standard drinks). Six residents (8%) left isolation prematurely, but four returned. During 1059 person-days, there were zero overdoses. Documented concerns regarding intoxication occurred six times (0.005 events/person-day) and medication diversion/sharing three times (0.003 events/person-day). CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 isolation hotel residents participating in an emergency safe supply and managed alcohol program experienced high rates of successful completion of 14 days isolation and low rates of adverse events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas D Brothers
- Department of Medicine (General Internal Medicine & Clinician-Investigator Program), Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Malcolm Leaman
- North End Community Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Matthew Bonn
- Canadian Association of People who Use Drugs, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Dan Lewer
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - John Fraser
- North End Community Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management & Perioperative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Amy Gillis
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Michael Gniewek
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Direction 180, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Leisha Hawker
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Direction 180, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Heather Hayman
- North End Community Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - David Martell
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Direction 180, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | | | - Leah Genge
- North End Community Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Direction 180, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Crosby L, Lewer D, Appleby Y, Anderson C, Hayward A, Story A. Outcomes of a residential respite service for homeless people with tuberculosis in London, UK: a cross-sectional study. Perspect Public Health 2022; 143:89-96. [PMID: 35506684 PMCID: PMC10068400 DOI: 10.1177/17579139221093544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many countries are seeking to eliminate tuberculosis (TB), but incidence remains high in socially excluded groups such as people experiencing homelessness. There is limited research into the effectiveness of residential respite services (RRS), which provide accomodation and social and clinical support for homeless people with active TB. METHODS We used a register of all cases of TB diagnosed in London between 1 January 2010 and 3 October 2019 to compare characteristics and outcomes of patients treated in an RRS with patients receiving standard care. The primary outcome was successful treatment completion. We used logistic regression to compare likelihood of completing treatment, and simulation to estimate the absolute change in treatment completion resulting from this service. RESULTS A total of 78 homeless patients finished an episode of TB treatment at the RRS. Patients treated in the RRS were more likely than patients treated in standard care to have clinical and social risk factors including drug resistance, history of homelessness, drug or alcohol use, and need for directly observed therapy. After adjusting for these factors, patients treated in the RRS had 2.97 times the odds of completing treatment (95% CI = 1.44-6.96). Treatment ended in failure for 8/78 patients treated in the RRS (10%, 95% CI = 5%-20%). We estimated that in the absence of the RRS, treatment would have ended in failure for 17/78 patients (95% CI = 11-25). CONCLUSION The residential respite service for homeless TB patients with complex social needs was associated with better treatment outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Crosby
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, UCL, London, UK.,Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, UCL, London, UK
| | - D Lewer
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, University College London, London, UK.,National Infections Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Y Appleby
- Find & Treat, University College London Hospitals, London, UK
| | - C Anderson
- National Infections Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - A Hayward
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, UCL, London, UK
| | - A Story
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, UCL, London, UK.,Find & Treat, University College London Hospitals, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Harris M, Holland A, Lewer D, Brown M, Eastwood N, Sutton G, Sansom B, Cruickshank G, Bradbury M, Guest I, Scott J. Barriers to management of opioid withdrawal in hospitals in England: a document analysis of hospital policies on the management of substance dependence. BMC Med 2022; 20:151. [PMID: 35418095 PMCID: PMC9007696 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02351-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who use illicit opioids are more likely to be admitted to hospital than people of the same age in the general population. Many admissions end in discharge against medical advice, which is associated with readmission and all-cause mortality. Opioid withdrawal contributes to premature discharge. We sought to understand the barriers to timely provision of opioid substitution therapy (OST), which helps to prevent opioid withdrawal, in acute hospitals in England. METHODS We requested policies on substance dependence management from 135 National Health Service trusts, which manage acute hospitals in England, and conducted a document content analysis. Additionally, we reviewed an Omitted and Delayed Medicines Tool (ODMT), one resource used to inform critical medicine categorisation in England. We worked closely with people with lived experience of OST and/or illicit opioid use, informed by principles of community-based participatory research. RESULTS Eighty-six (64%) trusts provided 101 relevant policies. An additional 44 (33%) responded but could not provide relevant policies, and five (4%) did not send a definitive response. Policies illustrate procedural barriers to OST provision, including inconsistent application of national guidelines across trusts. Continuing community OST prescriptions for people admitted in the evening, night-time, or weekend was often precluded by requirements to confirm doses with organisations that were closed during these hours. 42/101 trusts (42%) required or recommended a urine drug test positive for OST medications or opioids prior to OST prescription. The language used in many policies was stigmatising and characterised people who use drugs as untrustworthy. OST was not specifically mentioned in the reviewed ODMT, with 'drugs used in substance dependence' collectively categorised as posing low risk if delayed and moderate risk if omitted. CONCLUSIONS Many hospitals in England have policies that likely prevent timely and effective OST. This was underpinned by the 'low-risk' categorisation of OST delay in the ODMT. Delays to continuity of OST between community and hospital settings may contribute to inpatient opioid withdrawal and increase the risk of discharge against medical advice. Acute hospitals in England require standardised best practice policies that account for the needs of this patient group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Harris
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK.
| | - Adam Holland
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK.,Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield Grove, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Dan Lewer
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Michael Brown
- Division of Infection, University College London Hospital, London, UK.,Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | | | - Gary Sutton
- Release, 61 Mansell Street, London, E1 8AN, UK
| | - Ben Sansom
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield Grove, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Gabby Cruickshank
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield Grove, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Molly Bradbury
- Severn Foundation School, Park House, 1200 Parkway, Bristol, BS34 8YU, UK
| | - Isabelle Guest
- Southmead Hospital, Southmead Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS10 5NB, UK
| | - Jenny Scott
- Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Padmanathan P, Forbes H, Redaniel MT, Gunnell D, Lewer D, Moran P, Watson B, Degenhardt L, Hickman M. Self-harm and suicide during and after opioid agonist treatment among primary care patients in England: a cohort study. Lancet Psychiatry 2022; 9:151-159. [PMID: 34921800 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(21)00392-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The first 4 weeks after initiation and cessation of opioid agonist treatment for opioid dependence are associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and overdose. We aimed to investigate whether the rate of self-harm and suicide among people who were prescribed opioid agonist treatment differs during initiation, cessation, and the remainder of time on and off treatment. METHODS We did a retrospective cohort study and used health-care records from UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink, linked to mortality and hospital admission data, for adults (age 18-75 years at cohort entry) who were prescribed opioid agonist treatment at least once in primary care in England between Jan 2, 1998, and Nov 30, 2018. We estimated rates and adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) of hospital admissions for self-harm and death by suicide, comparing time during and after treatment, as well as comparing stable periods of time on treatment with treatment initiation, cessation, and the remaining time off treatment. FINDINGS Between Jan 2, 1998, and Nov 30, 2018, 8070 patients (5594 [69·3%] men and 2476 [30·7%] women) received 17 004 episodes of opioid agonist treatment over 40 599 person-years. Patients were mostly of White ethnicity (7006 [86·8%] patients). 807 episodes of self-harm (1·99 per 100 person-years) and 46 suicides (0·11 per 100 person-years) occurred during the study period. The overall age-standardised and sex-standardised mortality ratio for suicide was 7·5 times (95% CI 5·5-10·0) higher in the study cohort than in the general population. Opioid agonist treatment was associated with a reduced risk of self-harm (aRR in periods off treatment 1·50 [95% CI 1·21-1·88]), but was not significantly associated with suicide risk (aRR in periods off treatment 1·21 [0·64-2·28]). Risk of self-harm (aRR 2·60 [95% CI 1·83-3·70]) and suicide (4·68 [1·63-13·42]) were both elevated in the first 4 weeks after stopping opioid agonist treatment compared with stable periods on treatment. INTERPRETATION Stable periods of opioid agonist treatment are associated with reduced risk of self-harm, emphasising the importance of improving retention of patients in treatment. The first month following cessation of opioid agonist treatment is a period of increased risk of suicide and self-harm, during which additional psychosocial support is required. FUNDING Medical Research Council.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prianka Padmanathan
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Bristol Specialist Drug and Alcohol Service, Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Bath, UK.
| | - Harriet Forbes
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Maria Theresa Redaniel
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration West, Bristol, UK
| | - David Gunnell
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; National Institute of Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at the University Hospitals, Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Dan Lewer
- Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, London, UK
| | - Paul Moran
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration West, Bristol, UK; National Institute of Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at the University Hospitals, Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Ben Watson
- Bristol Specialist Drug and Alcohol Service, Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Bath, UK
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; National Institute of Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at the University Hospitals, Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Lewer D, Brothers TD, Van Hest N, Hickman M, Holland A, Padmanathan P, Zaninotto P. Causes of death among people who used illicit opioids in England, 2001-18: a matched cohort study. Lancet Public Health 2022; 7:e126-e135. [PMID: 34906332 PMCID: PMC8810398 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(21)00254-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In many countries, the average age of people who use illicit opioids, such as heroin, is increasing. This has been suggested to be a reason for increasing numbers of opioid-related deaths seen in surveillance data. We aimed to describe causes of death among people who use illicit opioids in England, how causes of death have changed over time, and how they change with age. METHODS In this matched cohort study, we studied patients in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink with recorded illicit opioid use (defined as aged 18-64 years, with prescriptions or clinical observations that indicate use of illicit opioids) in England between Jan 1, 2001, and Oct 30, 2018. We also included a comparison group, matched (1:3) for age, sex, and general practice with no records of illicit opioid use before cohort entry. Dates and causes of death were obtained from the UK Office for National Statistics. The cohort exit date was the earliest of date of death or Oct 30, 2018. We described rates of death and calculated cause-specific standardised mortality ratios. We used Poisson regression to estimate associations between age, calendar year, and cause-specific death. FINDINGS We collected data for 106 789 participants with a history of illicit opioid use, with a median follow-up of 8·7 years (IQR 4·3-13·5), and 320 367 matched controls with a median follow-up of 9·5 years (5·0-14·4). 13 209 (12·4%) of 106 789 participants in the exposed cohort had died, with a standardised mortality ratio of 7·72 (95% CI 7·47-7·97). The most common causes of death were drug poisoning (4375 [33·1%] of 13 209), liver disease (1272 [9·6%]), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; 681 [5·2%]), and suicide (645 [4·9%]). Participants with a history of illicit opioid use had higher mortality rates than the comparison group for all causes of death analysed, with highest standardised mortality ratios being seen for viral hepatitis (103·5 [95% CI 61·7-242·6]), HIV (16·7 [9·5-34·9]), and COPD (14·8 [12·6-17·6]). In the exposed cohort, at age 20 years, the rate of fatal drug poisonings was 271 (95% CI 230-313) per 100 000 person-years, accounting for 59·9% of deaths at this age, whereas the mortality rate due to non-communicable diseases was 31 (16-45) per 100 000 person-years, accounting for 6·8% of deaths at this age. Deaths due to non-communicable diseases increased more rapidly with age (1155 [95% CI 880-1431] deaths per 100 000 person-years at age 50 years; accounting for 52·0% of deaths at this age) than did deaths due to drug poisoning (507 (95% CI 452-562) per 100 000 person-years at age 50 years; accounting for 22·8% of deaths at this age). Mirroring national surveillance data, the rate of fatal drug poisonings in the exposed cohort increased from 345 (95% CI 299-391) deaths per 100 000 person-years in 2010-12 to 534 (468-600) per 100 000 person-years in 2016-18; an increase of 55%, a trend that was not explained by ageing of participants. INTERPRETATION People who use illicit opioids have excess risk of death across all major causes of death we analysed. Our findings suggest that population ageing is unlikely to explain the increasing number of fatal drug poisonings seen in surveillance data, but is associated with many more deaths due to non-communicable diseases. FUNDING National Institute for Health Research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Lewer
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Thomas D Brothers
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK; Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Naomi Van Hest
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Adam Holland
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Prianka Padmanathan
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Paola Zaninotto
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Lewer D, Petersen I, Maclure M. The case-crossover design for studying sudden events. BMJ Med 2022; 1:e000214. [PMID: 36936574 PMCID: PMC9978680 DOI: 10.1136/bmjmed-2022-000214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Lewer
- Epidemiology and Public Health, UCL, London, UK
| | - Irene Petersen
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health, UCL, London, UK
| | - Malcolm Maclure
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Lewer D, Eastwood B, White M, Brothers TD, McCusker M, Copeland C, Farrell M, Petersen I. Fatal opioid overdoses during and shortly after hospital admissions in England: A case-crossover study. PLoS Med 2021; 18:e1003759. [PMID: 34610017 PMCID: PMC8491890 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospital patients who use illicit opioids such as heroin may use drugs during an admission or leave the hospital in order to use drugs. There have been reports of patients found dead from drug poisoning on the hospital premises or shortly after leaving the hospital. This study examines whether hospital admission and discharge are associated with increased risk of opioid-related death. METHODS AND FINDINGS We conducted a case-crossover study of opioid-related deaths in England. Our study included 13,609 deaths between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2019 among individuals aged 18 to 64. For each death, we sampled 5 control days from the period 730 to 28 days before death. We used data from the national Hospital Episode Statistics database to determine the time proximity of deaths and control days to hospital admissions. We estimated the association between hospital admission and opioid-related death using conditional logistic regression, with a reference category of time neither admitted to the hospital nor within 14 days of discharge. A total of 236/13,609 deaths (1.7%) occurred following drug use while admitted to the hospital. The risk during hospital admissions was similar or lower than periods neither admitted to the hospital nor recently discharged, with odds ratios 1.03 (95% CI 0.87 to 1.21; p = 0.75) for the first 14 days of an admission and 0.41 (95% CI 0.30 to 0.56; p < 0.001) for days 15 onwards. 1,088/13,609 deaths (8.0%) occurred in the 14 days after discharge. The risk of opioid-related death increased in this period, with odds ratios of 4.39 (95% CI 3.75 to 5.14; p < 0.001) on days 1 to 2 after discharge and 2.09 (95% CI 1.92 to 2.28; p < 0.001) on days 3 to 14. 11,629/13,609 deaths (85.5%) did not occur close to a hospital admission, and the remaining 656/13,609 deaths (4.8%) occurred in hospital following admission due to drug poisoning. Risk was greater for patients discharged from psychiatric admissions, those who left the hospital against medical advice, and those leaving the hospital after admissions of 7 days or more. The main limitation of the method is that it does not control for time-varying health or drug use within individuals; therefore, hospital admissions coinciding with high-risk periods may in part explain the results. CONCLUSIONS Discharge from the hospital is associated with an acute increase in the risk of opioid-related death, and 1 in 14 opioid-related deaths in England happens in the 2 weeks after the hospital discharge. This supports interventions that prevent early discharge and improve linkage with community drug treatment and harm reduction services.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Lewer
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco and Justice Division, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Brian Eastwood
- Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco and Justice Division, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin White
- Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco and Justice Division, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas D. Brothers
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | | | - Caroline Copeland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths, St George’s, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Farrell
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
| | - Irene Petersen
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Tweed EJ, Thomson RM, Lewer D, Sumpter C, Kirolos A, Southworth PM, Purba AK, Aldridge RW, Hayward A, Story A, Hwang SW, Katikireddi SV. Health of people experiencing co-occurring homelessness, imprisonment, substance use, sex work and/or severe mental illness in high-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Epidemiol Community Health 2021; 75:1010-1018. [PMID: 33893182 PMCID: PMC8458085 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2020-215975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People affected by homelessness, imprisonment, substance use, sex work or severe mental illness experience substantial excess ill health and premature death. Though these experiences often co-occur, health outcomes associated with their overlap have not previously been reviewed. We synthesised existing evidence on mortality, morbidity, self-rated health and quality of life among people affected by more than one of these experiences. METHODS In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO for peer-reviewed English-language observational studies from high-income countries published between 1 January 1998 and 11 June 2018. Two authors undertook independent screening, with risk of bias assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Findings were summarised by narrative synthesis and random-effect meta-analysis. RESULTS From 15 976 citations, 2517 studies underwent full-text screening, and 444 were included. The most common exposure combinations were imprisonment/substance use (31% of data points) and severe mental illness/substance use (27%); only 1% reported outcomes associated with more than two exposures. Infections were the most common outcomes studied, with blood-borne viruses accounting for 31% of all data points. Multiple exposures were associated with poorer outcomes in 80% of data points included (sign test for effect direction, p<0.001). Meta-analysis suggested increased all-cause mortality among people with multiple versus fewer exposures (HR: 1.57 and 95% CI: 1.38 to 1.77), though heterogeneity was high. CONCLUSION People affected by multiple exclusionary processes experience profound health inequalities, though there are important gaps in the research landscape. Addressing the health needs of these populations is likely to require co-ordinated action across multiple sectors, such as healthcare, criminal justice, drug treatment, housing and social security. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42018097189.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Tweed
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Glasgow, UK
| | - Rachel M Thomson
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Glasgow, UK
| | - Dan Lewer
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Colin Sumpter
- Department of Public Health, NHS Forth Valley, Stirling, UK
| | - Amir Kirolos
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology & Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- The University of Edinburgh Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Paul M Southworth
- Department of Public Health, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, Dumfries, UK
| | - Amrit Kaur Purba
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Glasgow, UK
| | - Robert W Aldridge
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew Hayward
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alistair Story
- Find and Treat Service, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Stephen W Hwang
- Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Glasgow, UK
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Brothers TD, Lewer D, Bonn M, Webster D, Harris M. Social and structural determinants of injecting-related bacterial and fungal infections among people who inject drugs: protocol for a mixed studies systematic review. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e049924. [PMID: 34373309 PMCID: PMC8354281 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Injecting-related bacterial and fungal infections are a common complication among people who inject drugs (PWID), associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Invasive infections, including infective endocarditis, appear to be increasing in incidence. To date, preventive efforts have focused on modifying individual-level risk behaviours (eg, hand-washing and skin-cleaning) without much success in reducing the population-level impact of these infections. Learning from successes in HIV prevention, there may be great value in looking beyond individual-level risk behaviours to the social determinants of health. Specifically, the risk environment conceptual framework identifies how social, physical, economic and political environmental factors facilitate and constrain individual behaviour, and therefore influence health outcomes. Understanding the social and structural determinants of injecting-related bacterial and fungal infections could help to identify new targets for prevention efforts in the face of increasing incidence of severe disease. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This is a protocol for a systematic review. We will review studies of PWID and investigate associations between risk factors (both individual-level and social/structural-level) and the incidence of hospitalisation or death due to injecting-related bacterial infections (skin and soft-tissue infections, bacteraemia, infective endocarditis, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, epidural abscess and others). We will include quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods studies. Using directed content analysis, we will code risk factors for these infection-related outcomes according to their contributions to the risk environment in type (social, physical, economic or political) and level (microenvironmental or macroenvironmental). We will also code and present risk factors at each stage in the process of drug acquisition, preparation, injection, superficial infection care, severe infection care or hospitalisation, and outcomes after infection or hospital discharge. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION As an analysis of the published literature, no ethics approval is required. The findings will inform a research agenda to develop and implement social/structural interventions aimed at reducing the burden of disease. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42021231411.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas D Brothers
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Institue of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Dan Lewer
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Institue of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | - Matthew Bonn
- Canadian Association of People Who Use Drugs, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Duncan Webster
- Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Saint John Regional Hospital, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Magdalena Harris
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Brothers TD, Lewer D, Thakrar AP. Linking opioid use disorder treatment from hospital to community. Addiction 2021; 116:2244-2245. [PMID: 33651421 PMCID: PMC8511949 DOI: 10.1111/add.15460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas D Brothers
- Department of Medicine (General Internal Medicine and Clinician Investigator Program), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | - Dan Lewer
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ashish P Thakrar
- Division of Addiction Medicine, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Bradbury M, Lewer D. Role of community drug and alcohol services in physical healthcare for people who use illicit opioids: a qualitative study of clinical staff in the UK. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e046577. [PMID: 34312198 PMCID: PMC8314719 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To understand how clinicians working in addiction services perceive their responsibilities for physical healthcare of clients who use opioids, and how physical healthcare could be improved for this group. DESIGN Qualitative study comprising semistructured interviews. PARTICIPANTS 16 clinicians, including nurses and nurse practitioners, nurse consultants, addiction psychiatrists, specialist general practitioners and psychiatry specialty registrars. SETTING Community-based drug and alcohol treatment services in the UK, with services including outpatient opioid agonist therapy. RESULTS We identified three overarching themes. First, clients have unmet physical health needs that are often first identified in community drug and alcohol services. Participants reported attempts to improve their clients' access to healthcare by liaising directly with health services and undertaking other forms of health advocacy, but report limited success, with many referrals ending in non-attendance. Second, most participants saw their role as supporting access to mainstream health services rather than providing physical healthcare directly, though sometimes reported frustration at being unable to provide certain treatments such as antibiotics for a respiratory infection. A minority of participants felt that people who use illicit opioids would be best served by an integrated 'one-stop-shop' model, but felt this model is currently unlikely to receive funding. Third, participants felt isolated from other health services, in part due to commissioning arrangements in which funding is provided through local government rather than the National Health Service. CONCLUSIONS Clinicians participating in this study serve a patient group with unmet physical health needs, but lack the resources to respond effectively to these needs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Molly Bradbury
- Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, London, UK
- Plymouth University Peninsula School of Medicine, Plymouth, UK
| | - Dan Lewer
- Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Lewer D, Menezes D, Cornes M, Blackburn RM, Byng R, Clark M, Denaxas S, Evans H, Fuller J, Hewett N, Kilmister A, Luchenski SA, Manthorpe J, McKee M, Neale J, Story A, Tinelli M, Whiteford M, Wurie F, Yavlinsky A, Hayward A, Aldridge R. Hospital readmission among people experiencing homelessness in England: a cohort study of 2772 matched homeless and housed inpatients. J Epidemiol Community Health 2021; 75:681-688. [PMID: 33402395 PMCID: PMC8223662 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2020-215204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inpatients experiencing homelessness are often discharged to unstable accommodation or the street, which may increase the risk of readmission. METHODS We conducted a cohort study of 2772 homeless patients discharged after an emergency admission at 78 hospitals across England between November 2013 and November 2016. For each individual, we selected a housed patient who lived in a socioeconomically deprived area, matched on age, sex, hospital, and year of discharge. Counts of emergency readmissions, planned readmissions, and Accident and Emergency (A&E) visits post-discharge were derived from national hospital databases, with a median of 2.8 years of follow-up. We estimated the cumulative incidence of readmission over 12 months, and used negative binomial regression to estimate rate ratios. RESULTS After adjusting for health measured at the index admission, homeless patients had 2.49 (95% CI 2.29 to 2.70) times the rate of emergency readmission, 0.60 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.68) times the rate of planned readmission and 2.57 (95% CI 2.41 to 2.73) times the rate of A&E visits compared with housed patients. The 12-month risk of emergency readmission was higher for homeless patients (61%, 95% CI 59% to 64%) than housed patients (33%, 95% CI 30% to 36%); and the risk of planned readmission was lower for homeless patients (17%, 95% CI 14% to 19%) than for housed patients (30%, 95% CI 28% to 32%). While the risk of emergency readmission varied with the reason for admission for housed patients, for example being higher for admissions due to cancers than for those due to accidents, the risk was high across all causes for homeless patients. CONCLUSIONS Hospital patients experiencing homelessness have high rates of emergency readmission that are not explained by health. This highlights the need for discharge arrangements that address their health, housing and social care needs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Lewer
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, University College London, London, UK
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | - Dee Menezes
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Michelle Cornes
- NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Ruth M Blackburn
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Richard Byng
- Community and Primary Care Research Group, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Michael Clark
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre, The London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
| | - Spiros Denaxas
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
- Alan Turing Institute, British Library, London, UK
| | - Hannah Evans
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - James Fuller
- NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Alan Kilmister
- NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Jill Manthorpe
- NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Martin McKee
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Joanne Neale
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Alistair Story
- Find & Treat, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Michela Tinelli
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre, The London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
| | - Martin Whiteford
- Department of Nursing & Community Health, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Fatima Wurie
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alexei Yavlinsky
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew Hayward
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, University College London, London, UK
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | - Robert Aldridge
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Lewer D, Padmanathan P, Qummer ul Arfeen M, Denaxas S, Forbes H, Gonzalez-Izquierdo A, Hickman M. Healthcare use by people who use illicit opioids (HUPIO): development of a cohort based on electronic primary care records in England. Wellcome Open Res 2021; 5:282. [PMID: 33659712 PMCID: PMC7901498 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16431.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: People who use illicit opioids such as heroin have substantial health needs, but there are few longitudinal studies of general health and healthcare in this population. Most research to date has focused on a narrow set of outcomes, including overdoses and HIV or hepatitis infections. We developed and validated a cohort using UK primary care electronic health records (Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD and AURUM databases) to facilitate research into healthcare use by people who use illicit opioid use (HUPIO). Methods: Participants are patients in England with primary care records indicating a history of illicit opioid use. We identified codes including prescriptions of opioid agonist therapies (methadone and buprenorphine) and clinical observations such as 'heroin dependence'. We constructed a cohort of patients with at least one of these codes and aged 18-64 at cohort entry, with follow-up between January 1997 and March 2020. We validated the cohort by comparing patient characteristics and mortality rates to other cohorts of people who use illicit opioids, with different recruitment methods. Results: Up to March 2020, the HUPIO cohort included 138,761 patients with a history of illicit opioid use. Demographic characteristics and all-cause mortality were similar to existing cohorts: 69% were male; the median age at index for patients in CPRD AURUM (the database with more included participants) was 35.3 (interquartile range 29.1-42.6); the average age of new cohort entrants increased over time; 76% had records indicating current tobacco smoking; patients disproportionately lived in deprived neighbourhoods; and all-cause mortality risk was 6.6 (95% CI 6.5-6.7) times the general population of England. Conclusions: Primary care data offer new opportunities to study holistic health outcomes and healthcare of this population. The large sample enables investigation of rare outcomes, whilst the availability of linkage to external datasets allows investigation of hospital use, cancer treatment, and mortality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Lewer
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, NW1 2DA, UK
- Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Prianka Padmanathan
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1UD, UK
| | | | - Spiros Denaxas
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, NW1 2DA, UK
| | - Harriet Forbes
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1UD, UK
| | | | - Matt Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1UD, UK
- National Institute of Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Affiliation(s)
- Isobel Braithwaite
- University College London (UCL) Public Health Data Science Research Group, Institute of Health Informatics, UCL, London, UK.
| | - Chantal Edge
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, UCL, London, UK
| | - Dan Lewer
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, UCL, London, UK
| | - Jake Hard
- Royal College of General Practitioners Secure Environments Group, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Rogans-Watson R, Shulman C, Lewer D, Armstrong M, Hudson B. 23 Frailty, Older Age-Associated Conditions, and Multimorbidity Amongst People Experiencing Homelessness in A Hostel in London. Age Ageing 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afab029.02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
People experiencing homelessness (PEH) face poor health outcomes and extreme health inequity, and evidence suggests earlier onset of older age-associated conditions and signs of premature ageing. This is the first UK study to assess frailty in this population. The objective was to assess frailty, age-associated conditions, and multimorbidity in PEH residing in hostel accommodation, drawing comparisons with population data.
Methods
Participants were drawn from a hostel in London for PEH aged over 30. Age-associated conditions were identified using validated tools and a questionnaire modelled on comprehensive geriatric assessments. Participants’ keyworkers completed questionnaires to provide collateral information. Frailty was defined according to five criteria in Fried’s phenotype model: participants with three or more criteria are classified as frail, one or two criteria as vulnerable, and no criteria as not frail. Multimorbidity was defined as the presence of two or more long-term conditions in one person. Comparisons were made with population data from The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing and Health Survey for England.
Results
Thirty-three people participated (83% of eligible residents), with a mean age of 55.7 years (range 38–74). Frailty was identified in 18/33 participants (55%), with 13/33 (39%) classified as vulnerable, and 2/33 (6%) as not frail. Participants met an average of 2.6/5 frailty phenotype criteria, comparable to 90-year-olds in the general population. The most common age-associated conditions identified were: falls (in 61%), visual impairment (61%), low grip strength (61%), mobility impairment (52%), and cognitive impairment (45%). Multimorbidity was present in all thirty-three participants.
Conclusions
A wide range of unmet health needs was identified. The high prevalence of frailty and age-associated conditions support evidence of premature ageing, indicating a need to include holistic older-age assessments in PEH at a younger age. Involvement of health professionals with experience of working with older people could contribute to improving health outcomes for homeless patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Rogans-Watson
- Dept of Elderly Care, Croydon University Hospital, London
- Pathway: UK's leading homeless healthcare charity, London
| | - C Shulman
- Pathway: UK's leading homeless healthcare charity, London
- Marie Curie Research Department, Division of Psychiatry, UCL
| | - D Lewer
- Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, UCL, London
| | - M Armstrong
- Pathway: UK's leading homeless healthcare charity, London
- Marie Curie Research Department, Division of Psychiatry, UCL
| | - B Hudson
- Pathway: UK's leading homeless healthcare charity, London
- Marie Curie Research Department, Division of Psychiatry, UCL
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Beale S, Lewer D, Aldridge RW, Johnson AM, Zambon M, Hayward A, Fragaszy E. Household transmission of seasonal coronavirus infections: Results from the Flu Watch cohort study. Wellcome Open Res 2021; 5:145. [PMID: 33553677 PMCID: PMC7848853 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16055.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In the context of the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, understanding household transmission of seasonal coronaviruses may inform pandemic control. We aimed to investigate what proportion of seasonal coronavirus transmission occurred within households, measure the risk of transmission in households, and describe the impact of household-related factors of risk of transmission. Methods: Using data from three winter seasons of the UK Flu Watch cohort study, we measured the proportion of symptomatic infections acquired outside and within the home, the household transmission risk and the household secondary attack risk for PCR-confirmed seasonal coronaviruses. We present transmission risk stratified by demographic features of households. Results: We estimated that the proportion of cases acquired outside the home, weighted by age and region, was 90.7% (95% CI 84.6- 94.5,
n=173/195) and within the home was 9.3% (5.5-15.4, 22/195). Following a symptomatic coronavirus index case, 14.9% (9.8 - 22.1, 20/134) of households experienced symptomatic transmission to at least one other household member. Onward transmission risk ranged from 11.90% (4.84-26.36, 5/42) to 19.44% (9.21-36.49, 7/36) by strain. The overall household secondary attack risk for symptomatic cases was 8.00% (5.31-11.88, 22/275), ranging across strains from 5.10 (2.11-11.84, 5/98) to 10.14 (4.82- 20.11, 7/69). Median clinical onset serial interval was 7 days (IQR= 6-9.5). Households including older adults, 3+ children, current smokers, contacts with chronic health conditions, and those in relatively deprived areas had the highest transmission risks. Child index cases and male index cases demonstrated the highest transmission risks. Conclusion: Most seasonal coronaviruses appear to be acquired outside the household, with relatively modest risk of onward transmission within households. Transmission risk following an index case appears to vary by demographic household features, with potential overlap between those demonstrating the highest point estimates for seasonal coronavirus transmission risk and COVID-19 susceptibility and poor illness outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Beale
- UCL Public Health Data Science Research Group, UCL Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, NW1 2DA, UK.,UCL Research Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University College London, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Dan Lewer
- UCL Public Health Data Science Research Group, UCL Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, NW1 2DA, UK
| | - Robert W Aldridge
- UCL Public Health Data Science Research Group, UCL Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, NW1 2DA, UK
| | - Anne M Johnson
- UCL Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Maria Zambon
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Respiratory Infections, Imperial College London, London, W2 1PG, UK.,Public Health England, London, EC4Y 8AE, UK
| | - Andrew Hayward
- UCL Research Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University College London, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Ellen Fragaszy
- UCL Public Health Data Science Research Group, UCL Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, NW1 2DA, UK.,Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Aldridge RW, Lewer D, Beale S, Johnson AM, Zambon M, Hayward AC, Fragaszy EB. Seasonality and immunity to laboratory-confirmed seasonal coronaviruses (HCoV-NL63, HCoV-OC43, and HCoV-229E): results from the Flu Watch cohort study. Wellcome Open Res 2020; 5:52. [PMID: 33447664 PMCID: PMC7786426 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15812.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: There is currently a pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The intensity and duration of this first and second waves in the UK may be dependent on whether SARS-CoV-2 transmits more effectively in the winter than the summer and the UK Government response is partially built upon the assumption that those infected will develop immunity to reinfection in the short term. In this paper we examine evidence for seasonality and immunity to laboratory-confirmed seasonal coronavirus (HCoV) from a prospective cohort study in England. Methods: In this analysis of the Flu Watch cohort, we examine seasonal trends for PCR-confirmed coronavirus infections (HCoV-NL63, HCoV-OC43, and HCoV-229E) in all participants during winter seasons (2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009) and during the first wave of the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic (May-Sep 2009). We also included data from the pandemic and 'post-pandemic' winter seasons (2009-2010 and 2010-2011) to identify individuals with two confirmed HCoV infections and examine evidence for immunity against homologous reinfection. Results: We tested 1,104 swabs taken during respiratory illness and detected HCoV in 199 during the first four seasons. The rate of confirmed HCoV infection across all seasons was 390 (95% CI 338-448) per 100,000 person-weeks; highest in the Nov-Mar 2008/9 season at 674 (95%CI 537-835) per 100,000 person-weeks. The highest rate was in February at 759 (95% CI 580-975) per 100,000 person-weeks. Data collected during May-Sep 2009 showed there was small amounts of ongoing transmission, with four cases detected during this period. Eight participants had two confirmed infections, of which none had the same strain twice. Conclusion: Our results provide evidence that HCoV infection in England is most intense in winter, but that there is a small amount of ongoing transmission during summer periods. We found some evidence of immunity against homologous reinfection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert W. Aldridge
- UCL Public Health Data Science Research Group, Institute of Health Informatics, UCL, London, NW1 2DA, UK
| | - Dan Lewer
- UCL Public Health Data Science Research Group, Institute of Health Informatics, UCL, London, NW1 2DA, UK
- UCL Research Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, UCL, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Sarah Beale
- UCL Public Health Data Science Research Group, Institute of Health Informatics, UCL, London, NW1 2DA, UK
- UCL Research Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, UCL, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | | | - Maria Zambon
- Public Health England, 2-6 Salisbury Square, London, EC4Y 8AE, UK
| | - Andrew C. Hayward
- UCL Research Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, UCL, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Ellen B. Fragaszy
- UCL Public Health Data Science Research Group, Institute of Health Informatics, UCL, London, NW1 2DA, UK
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Flu Watch Group
- UCL Public Health Data Science Research Group, Institute of Health Informatics, UCL, London, NW1 2DA, UK
- UCL Research Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, UCL, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
- UCL Institute for Global Health, UCL, London, WC1E 6JB, UK
- Public Health England, 2-6 Salisbury Square, London, EC4Y 8AE, UK
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Lewer D, Padmanathan P, Qummer ul Arfeen M, Denaxas S, Forbes H, Gonzalez-Izquierdo A, Hickman M. Healthcare use by people who use illicit opioids (HUPIO): development of a cohort based on electronic primary care records in England. Wellcome Open Res 2020; 5:282. [PMID: 33659712 PMCID: PMC7901498 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16431.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: People who use illicit opioids such as heroin have substantial health needs, but there are few longitudinal studies of general health and healthcare in this population. Most research to date has focused on a narrow set of outcomes, including overdoses and HIV or hepatitis infections. We developed and validated a cohort using UK primary care electronic health records (Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD and AURUM databases) to facilitate research into healthcare use by people who use illicit opioid use (HUPIO). Methods: Participants are patients in England with primary care records indicating a history of illicit opioid use. We identified codes including prescriptions of opioid agonist therapies (methadone and buprenorphine) and clinical observations such as 'heroin dependence'. We constructed a cohort of patients with at least one of these codes and aged 18-64 at cohort entry, with follow-up between January 1997 and March 2020. We validated the cohort by comparing patient characteristics and mortality rates to other cohorts of people who use illicit opioids, with different recruitment methods. Results: Up to March 2020, the HUPIO cohort included 138,761 patients with a history of illicit opioid use. Demographic characteristics and all-cause mortality were similar to existing cohorts: 69% were male; the median age at index for patients in CPRD AURUM (the database with more included participants) was 35.3 (IQR 29.1-42.6); the average age of new cohort entrants increased over time; 76% had records indicating current tobacco smoking; patients disproportionately lived in deprived neighbourhoods; and all-cause mortality risk was 5.4 (95% CI 5.3-5.5) times the general population of England. Conclusions: Primary care data offer new opportunities to study holistic health outcomes and healthcare of this population. The large sample enables investigation of rare outcomes, whilst the availability of linkage to external datasets allows investigation of hospital use, cancer treatment, and mortality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Lewer
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, NW1 2DA, UK
- Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Prianka Padmanathan
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1UD, UK
| | | | - Spiros Denaxas
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, NW1 2DA, UK
| | - Harriet Forbes
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1UD, UK
| | | | - Matt Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1UD, UK
- National Institute of Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Lewer D, Braithwaite I, Bullock M, Eyre MT, White PJ, Aldridge RW, Story A, Hayward AC. COVID-19 among people experiencing homelessness in England: a modelling study. Lancet Respir Med 2020; 8:1181-1191. [PMID: 32979308 PMCID: PMC7511167 DOI: 10.1016/s2213-2600(20)30396-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People experiencing homelessness are vulnerable to COVID-19 due to the risk of transmission in shared accommodation and the high prevalence of comorbidities. In England, as in some other countries, preventive policies have been implemented to protect this population. We aimed to estimate the avoided deaths and health-care use among people experiencing homelessness during the so-called first wave of COVID-19 in England-ie, the peak of infections occurring between February and May, 2020-and the potential impact of COVID-19 on this population in the future. METHODS We used a discrete-time Markov chain model of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection that included compartments for susceptible, exposed, infectious, and removed individuals, to explore the impact of the pandemic on 46 565 individuals experiencing homelessness: 35 817 living in 1065 hostels for homeless people, 3616 sleeping in 143 night shelters, and 7132 sleeping outside. We ran the model under scenarios varying the incidence of infection in the general population and the availability of prevention measures: specialist hotel accommodation, infection control in homeless settings, and mixing with the general population. We divided our scenarios into first wave scenarios (covering Feb 1-May 31, 2020) and future scenarios (covering June 1, 2020-Jan 31, 2021). For each scenario, we ran the model 200 times and reported the median and 95% prediction interval (2·5% and 97·5% quantiles) of the total number of cases, the number of deaths, the number hospital admissions, and the number of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. FINDINGS Up to May 31, 2020, we calibrated the model to 4% of the homeless population acquiring SARS-CoV-2, and estimated that 24 deaths (95% prediction interval 16-34) occurred. In this first wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections in England, we estimated that the preventive measures imposed might have avoided 21 092 infections (19 777-22 147), 266 deaths (226-301), 1164 hospital admissions (1079-1254), and 338 ICU admissions (305-374) among the homeless population. If preventive measures are continued, we projected a small number of additional cases between June 1, 2020, and Jan 31, 2021, with 1754 infections (1543-1960), 31 deaths (21-45), 122 hospital admissions (100-148), and 35 ICU admissions (23-47) with a second wave in the general population. However, if preventive measures are lifted, outbreaks in homeless settings might lead to larger numbers of infections and deaths, even with low incidence in the general population. In a scenario with no second wave and relaxed measures in homeless settings in England, we projected 12 151 infections (10 718-13 349), 184 deaths (151-217), 733 hospital admissions (635-822), and 213 ICU admissions (178-251) between June 1, 2020, and Jan 31, 2021. INTERPRETATION Outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 in homeless settings can lead to a high attack rate among people experiencing homelessness, even if incidence remains low in the general population. Avoidance of deaths depends on prevention of transmission within settings such as hostels and night shelters. FUNDING National Institute for Health Research, Wellcome, and Medical Research Council.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Lewer
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Isobel Braithwaite
- UCL Public Health Data Science Research Group, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Miriam Bullock
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Max T Eyre
- Centre for Health Informatics, Computing, and Statistics, Lancaster University Medical School, Lancaster, UK
| | - Peter J White
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK; Modelling and Economics Unit, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Robert W Aldridge
- UCL Public Health Data Science Research Group, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alistair Story
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, University College London, London, UK; Find and Treat, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Andrew C Hayward
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, University College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Lewer D, Jones NR, Hickman M, Larney S, Ezard N, Nielsen S, Degenhardt L. Risk of discharge against medical advice among hospital inpatients with a history of opioid agonist therapy in New South Wales, Australia: A cohort study and nested crossover-cohort analysis. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 217:108343. [PMID: 33122155 PMCID: PMC7736124 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who use illicit opioids have high rates of hospital admission. We aimed to measure the risk of discharge against medical advice among inpatients with a history of opioid agonist therapy (OAT), and test whether OAT is associated with lower risk of discharge against medical advice. METHODS We conducted a cohort study of patients admitted to hospital in an emergency between 1 August 2001 and 30 April 2018 in New South Wales, Australia. All patients had a previous episode of OAT in the community. The main outcome was discharge against medical advice, and the main exposure was whether patients had an active OAT permit at the time of admission. RESULTS 14,035/116,957 admissions (12 %) ended in discharge against medical advice. Admissions during periods of OAT had 0.79 (0.76-0.83; p < 0.001) times the risk of discharge against medical advice, corresponding to an absolute risk reduction of 3.0 percentage points. Risk of discharge against medical advice was higher among patients who were younger, male, identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, and those admitted for accidents, drug-related reasons, or injecting-related injuries (such as cutaneous abscesses). In a subsample of 7793 patients included in a crossover-cohort analysis, OAT was associated with 0.84 (95 % CI 0.76-0.93; p < 0.001) times the risk of discharge against medical advice. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with a history of OAT, one in eight emergency hospital admissions ends in discharge against medical advice. OAT enrolment at the time of admission is associated with a reduction of this risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Lewer
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, 22-32 King St, Randwick NSW 2031, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK.
| | - Nicola R Jones
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, 22-32 King St, Randwick NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS2 8DZ, UK
| | - Sarah Larney
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, 22-32 King St, Randwick NSW 2031, Australia; University of Montreal, 2900 Edouard Montpetit Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1J4, Canada; Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Université de Montréal, Canada
| | - Nadine Ezard
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, 22-32 King St, Randwick NSW 2031, Australia; Alcohol and Drug Service, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia; National Centre for Clinical Research in Emerging Drugs, Australia
| | - Suzanne Nielsen
- Monash Addiction Research Centre and Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, 22-32 King St, Randwick NSW 2031, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Lewer D, King E, Bramley G, Fitzpatrick S, Treanor MC, Maguire N, Bullock M, Hayward A, Story A. The ACE Index: mapping childhood adversity in England. J Public Health (Oxf) 2020; 42:e487-e495. [PMID: 31883007 PMCID: PMC7685852 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdz158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Studies of adults show that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with health and social problems and are more common among people living in deprived areas. However, there is limited information about the geographical pattern of contemporary ACEs. Methods We used data from the police, social services, schools and vital statistics in England to calculate population rates of events that represent childhood adversity. We constructed an ‘ACE Index’ that summarizes the relative frequency of ACEs at local authority level, informed by the methods of the Index of Multiple Deprivation. We explored associations between the ACE Index and local characteristics in cross-sectional ecological analysis. Results The ACE Index was strongly associated with the proportion of children that live in income-deprived households (child poverty). In addition, the ACE Index was independently associated with higher population density and was higher in certain regions, particularly the north-east. Conclusions The association between ACEs and child poverty provides evidence of a process in which deprivation increases the risk of adverse experiences in childhood. The ACE Index can inform allocation of resources for prevention and mitigation of ACEs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Lewer
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care UCL, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Emma King
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care UCL, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Glen Bramley
- Institute for Social Policy, Housing, Equalities Research; Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK
| | - Suzanne Fitzpatrick
- Institute for Social Policy, Housing, Equalities Research; Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK
| | - Morag C Treanor
- Institute for Social Policy, Housing, Equalities Research; Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK
| | - Nick Maguire
- Psychology, University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Miriam Bullock
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care UCL, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Andrew Hayward
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care UCL, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Al Story
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care UCL, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK.,Find&Treat, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London NW1 2PG, UK
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Lewer D, King E, Bramley G, Fitzpatrick S, Treanor M, Maguire N, Bullock M, Hayward A, Story A. Erratum: The ACE Index: mapping childhood adversity in the UK. J Public Health (Oxf) 2020; 42:873. [PMID: 32086508 PMCID: PMC7685782 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdaa026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|
45
|
Johnson L, Lewer D, Aldridge RW, Hayward AC, Story A. Protocol for a systematic review of treatment adherence for HIV, hepatitis C and tuberculosis among homeless populations. Syst Rev 2020; 9:211. [PMID: 32921306 PMCID: PMC7488663 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-020-01470-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Homelessness is a global issue and HIV, hepatitis C and tuberculosis are known to be prevalent in this group. Homeless populations face significant barriers to care. We aim to summarise evidence of treatment initiation and completion for homeless populations with these infections, and their associated factors, through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS We will search MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL for all study types and conference abstracts looking at either (1) treatment initiation in a cohort experiencing homelessness with at least one of HIV, hepatitis C, active tuberculosis and/or latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI); (2) treatment completion for those who initiated treatment. We will perform a meta-analysis of the proportion of those with each infection who initiate and complete treatment, as well as analysis of individual and health system factors that may affect adherence levels. We will evaluate the quality of research papers using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. DISCUSSION Given the political emphasis on global elimination of these diseases, and the current lack of understanding of effective and equitable treatment adherence strategies in homeless populations, this review will provide insight to policy-makers and service providers aiming to improve homeless healthcare. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42019153150.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luke Johnson
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HT UK
- Department of Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ UK
| | - Dan Lewer
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | - Robert W. Aldridge
- The Farr Institute of Health Informatics Research, University College London, London, NW1 2DA UK
| | - Andrew C. Hayward
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | - Alistair Story
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Menezes D, Lewer D, Yavlinsky A, Tinelli M, Aldridge R. Mortality Outcomes in People Experiencing Homelessness Across England: a population-based study. Eur J Public Health 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.1350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
The number of people experiencing homelessness in England has increased since 2010 and a recent systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated high levels of mortality in this group across high-income countries. In this study we examine the death rates in people experiencing homelessness after discharge from hospital.
Methods
This is a study of linked hospital admission records and mortality data for two groups. First, a “Homeless group”: people seen by 17 specialist homeless discharge schemes between 1 November 2013 and 30 November 2016. Second, an “IMD5 group”: A matched group of patients who live in deprived areas and have the same age and sex, and were discharged from the same hospital in the same year as the homeless patient. Our analysis entailed calculating mortality rates across each group and by the number of comorbidities.
Results
The mortality rate for the IMD5 group was 1,935 deaths per 100,000 person years, compared with 5,691 for the homeless group, giving a rate ratio of 2.9 (95% CI 2.5-3.5). The mortality risk increased with the number of comorbidities. Individuals in the IMD5 group with zero comorbidities had a death rate of 831 per 100,000 person-years, compared with the homeless group for which the corresponding figure was 2,598 and or those with 4+ comorbidities were 7,324 (IMD5) and 12,714 (homeless). This suggests a 'super-additive' interaction in which the effect of morbidity on mortality risk after discharge is greater for homeless patients. Survival at 5 years for the homelessness group was for men 80% (95% CI 77-85) and women 85 (95% CI 81-87).
Conclusions
This study shows that the well-established inequity in mortality for people experiencing homelessness exists after discharge from hospital and is greatest for the most unwell patients. Our results suggest a need for greater emphasis on prevention of homelessness, early healthcare interventions and improved hospital discharge arrangements for this population.
Key messages
The well-established inequity in mortality for people experiencing homelessness exists after discharge from hospital and is greatest for the most unwell patients. Our results suggest a need for greater emphasis on prevention of homelessness, early healthcare interventions and improved hospital discharge arrangements for this population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Menezes
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - D Lewer
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - A Yavlinsky
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - M Tinelli
- London School of Economics, London, UK
| | - R Aldridge
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Houlihan CF, Vora N, Byrne T, Lewer D, Kelly G, Heaney J, Gandhi S, Spyer MJ, Beale R, Cherepanov P, Moore D, Gilson R, Gamblin S, Kassiotis G, McCoy LE, Swanton C, Hayward A, Nastouli E. Pandemic peak SARS-CoV-2 infection and seroconversion rates in London frontline health-care workers. Lancet 2020; 396:e6-e7. [PMID: 32653078 PMCID: PMC7347344 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(20)31484-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine F Houlihan
- Department of Clinical Virology, University College London Hospitals, London W1T 4EU, UK; Department of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK; Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Nina Vora
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Thomas Byrne
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Dan Lewer
- Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Judith Heaney
- Advanced Pathogen Diagnostics Unit, University College London Hospitals, London W1T 4EU, UK; Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sonia Gandhi
- Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK; The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Moira J Spyer
- Advanced Pathogen Diagnostics Unit, University College London Hospitals, London W1T 4EU, UK; Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rupert Beale
- Division of Medicine, University College London Hospitals, London W1T 4EU, UK; The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Peter Cherepanov
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - David Moore
- Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Richard Gilson
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - George Kassiotis
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Laura E McCoy
- Department of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Charles Swanton
- Macmillan Cancer Centre, University College London Hospitals, London W1T 4EU, UK; Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK; The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
| | - Andrew Hayward
- Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, London, UK
| | - Eleni Nastouli
- Department of Clinical Virology, University College London Hospitals, London W1T 4EU, UK; Advanced Pathogen Diagnostics Unit, University College London Hospitals, London W1T 4EU, UK; Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Wright T, Hope V, Ciccarone D, Lewer D, Scott J, Harris M. Prevalence and severity of abscesses and cellulitis, and their associations with other health outcomes, in a community-based study of people who inject drugs in London, UK. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235350. [PMID: 32663203 PMCID: PMC7360031 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) are a common but preventable cause of morbidity and mortality among people who inject drugs (PWID). They can be severe, and hospitalisations of PWID with SSTI are rising. The most common SSTI presentations are abscesses and cellulitis. METHODS We used data from Care & Prevent, a cross-sectional community survey of PWID in London. We reported the lifetime prevalence of SSTI, severity of infections, key risk factors, and associated sequelae. Pictorial questions were used to assess SSTI severity. RESULTS We recruited 455 PWID. SSTI lifetime prevalence was high: 64% reported an abscess and/or cellulitis. Over one-third (37%) reported a severe infection, 137 (47%) reported hospitalisation. SSTIrisk factors were: aged 35+ years, injecting once or more times a day, subcutaneous or intra-muscular injections, and making four or more attempts to achieve an injection. Those who reported having other health conditions were at higher odds of having an abscess or cellulitis, with risk tending to increase with number of reported conditions. Half (46%) employed self-care for their worst SSTI, and 43% waited for ten or more days before seeking medical care or not seeking medical care at all. CONCLUSIONS Abscess and cellulitis are very common among PWID in London. We corroborate findings indicating SSTIs are associated with risks, e.g. venous access problems, as well as other co-morbid conditions: septicaemia, endocarditis, DVT, and kidney disease. These co-morbidities may impact SSTIs severity and outcomes. Delayed healthcare seeking potentially exacerbates infection severity, which in turn increases poorer health outcomes and complications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Talen Wright
- Department of Public Health, Environments & Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vivian Hope
- Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Ciccarone
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Dan Lewer
- Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny Scott
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Magdalena Harris
- Department of Public Health, Environments & Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Lewer D, Hope VD, Harris M, Kelleher M, Jewell A, Pritchard M, Strang J, Morley KI. Incidence and treatment costs of severe bacterial infections among people who inject heroin: A cohort study in South London, England. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 212:108057. [PMID: 32422537 PMCID: PMC7301433 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs often get bacterial infections. Few longitudinal studies have reported the incidence and treatment costs of these infections. METHODS For a cohort of 2335 people who inject heroin entering treatment for drug dependence between 2006 and 2017 in London, England, we reported the rates of hospitalisation or death with primary causes of cutaneous abscess, cellulitis, phlebitis, septicaemia, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, endocarditis, or necrotising fasciitis. We compared these rates to the general population. We also used NHS reference costs to calculate the cost of admissions. RESULTS During a median of 8.0 years of follow-up, 24 % of patients (570/2335) had a severe bacterial infection, most commonly presenting with cutaneous abscesses or cellulitis. Bacterial infections accounted for 13 % of all hospital admissions. The rate was 73 per 1000 person-years (95 % CI 69-77); 50 times the general population, and the rate remained high throughout follow-up. The rate of severe bacterial infections for women was 1.50 (95 % CI 1.32-1.69) times the rate for men. The mean cost per admission was £4980, and we estimate that the annual cost of hospital treatment for people who inject heroin in London is £4.5 million. CONCLUSIONS People who inject heroin have extreme and long-term risk of severe bacterial infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Lewer
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK; National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, 4 Windsor Walk, Camberwell, London SE5 8AF, UK; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Monks Orchard Road Beckenham, London BR3 3BX, UK.
| | - Vivian D Hope
- Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, 3rd Floor, Exchange Station, Tithebarn Street, Liverpool L2 2QP, UK
| | - Magdalena Harris
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, Kings Cross, London WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Michael Kelleher
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Monks Orchard Road Beckenham, London BR3 3BX, UK
| | - Amelia Jewell
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Monks Orchard Road Beckenham, London BR3 3BX, UK
| | - Megan Pritchard
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Monks Orchard Road Beckenham, London BR3 3BX, UK
| | - John Strang
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, 4 Windsor Walk, Camberwell, London SE5 8AF, UK; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Monks Orchard Road Beckenham, London BR3 3BX, UK
| | - Katherine I Morley
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, 4 Windsor Walk, Camberwell, London SE5 8AF, UK; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Monks Orchard Road Beckenham, London BR3 3BX, UK; Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Global and Population Health, Level 3, 207 Bouverie Street, The University of Melbourne Victoria 3010 Australia; RAND Europe, Westbrook Centre, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1YG, UK
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Aldridge RW, Lewer D, Katikireddi SV, Mathur R, Pathak N, Burns R, Fragaszy EB, Johnson AM, Devakumar D, Abubakar I, Hayward A. Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups in England are at increased risk of death from COVID-19: indirect standardisation of NHS mortality data. Wellcome Open Res 2020; 5:88. [PMID: 32613083 PMCID: PMC7317462 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15922.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: International and UK data suggest that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups are at increased risk of infection and death from COVID-19. We aimed to explore the risk of death in minority ethnic groups in England using data reported by NHS England. Methods: We used NHS data on patients with a positive COVID-19 test who died in hospitals in England published on 28th April, with deaths by ethnicity available from 1st March 2020 up to 5pm on 21 April 2020. We undertook indirect standardisation of these data (using the whole population of England as the reference) to produce ethnic specific standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) adjusted for age and geographical region. Results: The largest total number of deaths in minority ethnic groups were Indian (492 deaths) and Black Caribbean (460 deaths) groups. Adjusting for region we found a lower risk of death for White Irish (SMR 0.52; 95%CIs 0.45-0.60) and White British ethnic groups (0.88; 95%CIs 0.86-0.0.89), but increased risk of death for Black African (3.24; 95%CIs 2.90-3.62), Black Caribbean (2.21; 95%CIs 2.02-2.41), Pakistani (3.29; 95%CIs 2.96-3.64), Bangladeshi (2.41; 95%CIs 1.98-2.91) and Indian (1.70; 95%CIs 1.56-1.85) minority ethnic groups. Conclusion: Our analysis adds to the evidence that BAME people are at increased risk of death from COVID-19 even after adjusting for geographical region, but was limited by the lack of data on deaths outside of NHS settings and ethnicity denominator data being based on the 2011 census. Despite these limitations, we believe there is an urgent need to take action to reduce the risk of death for BAME groups and better understand why some ethnic groups experience greater risk. Actions that are likely to reduce these inequities include ensuring adequate income protection, reducing occupational risks, reducing barriers in accessing healthcare and providing culturally and linguistically appropriate public health communications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert W. Aldridge
- UCL Public Health Data Science Research Group, Institute of Health Informatics, UCL, London, NW1 2DA, UK
| | - Dan Lewer
- UCL Public Health Data Science Research Group, Institute of Health Informatics, UCL, London, NW1 2DA, UK
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, UCL, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | | | - Rohini Mathur
- Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Neha Pathak
- UCL Public Health Data Science Research Group, Institute of Health Informatics, UCL, London, NW1 2DA, UK
- Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Rachel Burns
- UCL Public Health Data Science Research Group, Institute of Health Informatics, UCL, London, NW1 2DA, UK
| | - Ellen B. Fragaszy
- UCL Public Health Data Science Research Group, Institute of Health Informatics, UCL, London, NW1 2DA, UK
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | | | | | | | - Andrew Hayward
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, UCL, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| |
Collapse
|