Mortality of Drug Users. Summary of Cohort Study Results.

Overview

Aims:
The cohort study aimed to find the level of mortality among different groups (cohorts) of drug users and compare it with the mortality rate of the general population. At the same time, the study focused on differences in mortality levels according to gender and type of drug used.

Methods:
A retrospective cohort mortality study was conducted. In 1997–2002, 4 defined groups of drug users were followed. These included two cohorts of hospitalized persons for drug-related behavioral disorders (12,207 and 2,824 persons), cohort of injecting drug users with reported viral hepatitis (3,037 persons) and substitution treatment clients (704 persons).

Findings:
Direct standardized mortality rate reached 16–33 per 1000 person-years of follow-up, depending on the cohort. In all cohorts, mortality was higher among men than women. In the follow-up period, mortality observed a consecutive decrease. The level of mortality among drug users was 8–11 times higher compared to general population. The highest mortality was observed for polyvalent and opiate users, relatively lowest for stimulants users.

Conclusions:
The level of mortality of drug users in the Czech Republic is comparable to mortality in other European countries; compared to other cohorts, the mortality level in CR is relatively lower. The study proved differences in mortality levels by cohorts; further research should focus on the impact of treatment on the mortality levels.

Key words:
drug use – drug-related deaths – mortality of drug users – cohort study – health consequences – drug treatment.