Trends in drug use among young adult females: a 22-year retrospective analysis

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport (LSUHSC-S) serves a largely minority-based, urban population. This study aims to identify trends in urine drug screen (UDS) results among females aged 18-35 visiting State University during 1998-2011 and 2012-2019. Using two databases e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Toxicology communications 2022-12, Vol.6 (1), p.85-96
Main Authors: Clifford, Eric, Kilgore, Phillip C. S. R., Cvek, Urska, Trutschl, Marjan, Baker, Stephen, Conrad, Steven A., Arnold, Thomas, Korneeva, Nadejda
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
administrative database
Amphetamines
Benzodiazepines
Cannabinoids
Cocaine
Drug abuse
Drug screening
Drug use
Electronic medical records
emergency department
female health
Females
Narcotics
Opioids
Population studies
Prescription drugs
Statistical analysis
Trends
Urine drug screening
White people
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Summary:Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport (LSUHSC-S) serves a largely minority-based, urban population. This study aims to identify trends in urine drug screen (UDS) results among females aged 18-35 visiting State University during 1998-2011 and 2012-2019. Using two databases extracted from the electronic medical record system, we performed statistical analysis of demographics and UDS results. Young females aged 18-35 mostly tested positive for cannabinoids and opiates during both periods, 1998-2011 and 2012-2019. African-American females had a higher percentage of positive UDS for illicit drugs, such as cannabinoids and cocaine, while Caucasian females had a higher rate for prescription drugs such as opiates, benzodiazepines, and amphetamine. Between 1998-2011 and 2012-2019, trends in drug screen results changed in both populations, with Caucasian females showing a drastic increase in amphetamines and African-American females showing increase in opiates and cannabinoids during 2012-2019. GatewayNet analysis (sequential-rule mining for inducing causation) for 2012-2019 indicated that a positive screen for amphetamines is likely preceded by a positive screen for cannabinoids, and benzodiazepines may be preceded by opiates. Our results emphasize the importance of drug use monitoring among young females of childbearing age. GatewayNet analysis implies a sequential nature to drug positivity on urine drug screening in this population.
ISSN:2473-4306
2473-4306
DOI:10.1080/24734306.2022.2110201