A comparative analysis of the patient characteristics and cost of managing intravenous drug users (IVDU) with soft tissue abscesses with non-IVDU

Abstract Background Intravenous drug users (IVDU) often present to hospitals with complex co-morbidities, associated with prolonged in-patient admissions. The aim of this study was to compare a cohort of IVDU patients with soft tissue abscesses with non-IVDUs. We analysed the demographics, comorbidi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The surgeon (Edinburgh) 2016-02, Vol.14 (1), p.13-17
Main Authors: Chotai, N, Gallagher, K, Kieffer, W.K.M, Rogers, B.A, Ricketts, D.M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abscess - epidemiology
Abscess - etiology
Abscess - therapy
Adolescent
Adult
Cost of Illness
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Disease Management
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Health Care Costs
Humans
Incidence
Male
Retrospective Studies
Substance Abuse, Intravenous - complications
Substance Abuse, Intravenous - epidemiology
Substance Abuse, Intravenous - therapy
Surgery
United Kingdom - epidemiology
Young Adult
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Summary:Abstract Background Intravenous drug users (IVDU) often present to hospitals with complex co-morbidities, associated with prolonged in-patient admissions. The aim of this study was to compare a cohort of IVDU patients with soft tissue abscesses with non-IVDUs. We analysed the demographics, comorbidities, location of abscesses, multidisciplinary input and financial costs of managing both groups. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 2010 and September 2013. Two age and sex matched cohorts were compared: IVDU and non-IVDU. Results We identified 44 IVDU patients and 54 non-IVDU patients. The IVDU had higher rates of smoking (89% p  
ISSN:1479-666X
DOI:10.1016/j.surge.2014.08.003