Mortality, morbidity, and cardiac surgery in Injection Drug Use (IDU)-associated versus non-IDU infective endocarditis: The need to expand substance use disorder treatment and harm reduction services.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2019
Institution/Department
Center for Outcomes and Research; Maine Medical Center Research Institute; Medical Education
Journal Title
PLoS One
MeSH Headings
Adult, Aged, Emergency Medical Services, Endocarditis, Female, Harm Reduction, Hospital Mortality, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Morbidity, Odds Ratio, Retrospective Studies, Substance Abuse, Intravenous
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The addiction crisis is widespread, and unsafe injection practices among people who inject drugs (PWID) can lead to infective endocarditis.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis of adult patients with definite or possible infective endocarditis admitted to a tertiary care center in Portland, Maine was performed over three-year period. Our primary objective was to examine differences in demographics, health characteristics, and health service utilization between injection drug use (IDU)-associated infective endocarditis and non-IDU infective endocarditis. The association between IDU and mortality, morbidity (defined as emergency department visits within 3 months of discharge), and cardiac surgery was examined. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. A subgroup descriptive analysis of PWID was also performed to better examine substance use disorder (SUD) characteristics, treatment with medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and health service utilization.
RESULTS: One-hundred and seven patients were included in the study, of which 39.2% (n = 42) had IDU-associated infective endocarditis. PWID were more likely to be homeless, uninsured, and lack a primary care provider. PWID were notably younger and had less documented comorbidities, however had similar in-hospital mortality rates (10% vs. 14%, p = 0.30), ED visits (50% vs. 54%, p = 0.70) and cardiac surgery (33% vs. 26%, p = 0.42) compared to those with non-IDU infective endocarditis. Ninety-day mortality was less among PWID (19.0% vs. 36.9%, p = 0.05). IDU was not associated with morbidity (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.73, 95% CI 0.18-3.36), 90-day mortality (AOR 0.72, 95% CI 0.17-3.01), or cardiac surgery (AOR 0.15, 95% CI 0.03-0.69). Ninety-day mortality among PWID who received MOUD was lower (3% vs 15%, p = 0.45), as were ED visits (10% vs. 41%, p = 0.42) compared to those who did not receive MOUD.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight existing differences in health characteristics and social determinants of health in people with IDU-associated versus non-IDU infective endocarditis. PWID had less comorbidities and were significantly younger than those with non-IDU infective endocarditis and yet still had similar rates of cardiac surgery, ED visits, and in-hospital mortality. These findings emphasize the need to deliver comprehensive health services, particularly MOUD and other harm reduction services, to this marginalized population.
ISSN
1932-6203
First Page
0225460
Last Page
0225460
Recommended Citation
Thakarar, Kinna; Rokas, Kristina E; Lucas, F L; Powers, Spencer; Andrews, Elizabeth; DeMatteo, Christina; Mooney, Deirdre; Sorg, Marcella H; Valenti, August; and Cohen, Mylan, "Mortality, morbidity, and cardiac surgery in Injection Drug Use (IDU)-associated versus non-IDU infective endocarditis: The need to expand substance use disorder treatment and harm reduction services." (2019). MaineHealth Maine Medical Center. 1740.
https://knowledgeconnection.mainehealth.org/mmc/1740