Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2025
07:24
Intravitreal Injection and Quantitation of Infection Parameters in a Mouse Model of Bacterial Endophthalmitis
Published on: February 6, 2021
11.3K
Infective Endocarditis Among Women Who Inject Drugs.
Janica A Adams1, Cara Spence1,2, Esfandiar Shojaei3
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
JAMA Network Open
|October 4, 2024
Summary
Women who inject drugs (WWID) are disproportionately affected by infective endocarditis (IE). Prioritizing inpatient substance use disorder services and social support for WWID, especially in urban areas, is crucial for improving outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Women constitute approximately one-third of people who inject drugs (PWID) in the US and Canada.
- Clinical characteristics and outcomes of injection drug use complications in women are not well-described.
- Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious complication of injection drug use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify clinical characteristics and outcomes of infective endocarditis (IE) among women who inject drugs (WWID).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of PWID with definite IE admitted to 5 tertiary-care hospitals in Canada.
- Data collected from April 5, 2007, to March 15, 2018.
- Analysis included descriptive statistics and multivariable time-dependent Cox proportional hazards regression for 5-year mortality.
Main Results:
- Women comprised 51.2% of PWID with IE, a higher proportion than non-PWID.
- WWID with IE were younger and had a higher proportion of right-sided IE compared to men.
- Higher mortality was observed in WWID in urban areas and those with congestive heart failure; lower mortality was associated with inpatient substance use disorder services and right-sided heart disease.
Conclusions:
- Women are overrepresented among PWID with IE, necessitating further research into reasons for this disparity.
- Inpatient substance use disorder services, contraception counseling, and enhanced social support for WWID in urban areas should be prioritized.
- Addressing the unique needs of WWID is critical for improving IE outcomes in this population.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Endocarditis I: Introduction
2
Introduction:Endocarditis is the infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart and its valves. When the heart muscle is involved, the condition is termed myocarditis, while an infection of the outer lining is called pericarditis. Infective endocarditis (IE) primarily affects the endocardium, where pathogens adhere to the valves or lining, forming vegetation that can lead to severe complications. Infective endocarditis occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from other body...
2
01:18Endocarditis III: Medical Management
2
Infective endocarditis management involves a multifaceted approach encompassing infection prevention, lifestyle modifications, pharmacological therapy, and surgical management.Infection Prevention:Hand Hygiene: Thorough handwashing is crucial to prevent the spread of infection. Hand hygiene should be performed regularly, especially before and after using the restroom.Oral Hygiene: Good oral hygiene is essential. It includes brushing teeth immediately after waking up and before bed, flossing...
2
01:25Endocarditis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
2
Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
2
01:29Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management
2
Infective endocarditis (IE) is a chronic infection of the heart's endocardium, primarily affecting the heart valves. A detailed nursing assessment for a patient with IE involves collecting subjective and objective data to ensure an accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.Subjective DataThe nurse gathers information about the patient's symptoms and complaints during the subjective assessment. Patients with infective endocarditis often report non-specific symptoms that can mimic other...
2
01:14Myocarditis III: Medical Management
2
Myocarditis: Comprehensive Medical ManagementMyocarditis, the heart muscle inflammation, requires a comprehensive medical management strategy that addresses the underlying cause, provides supportive care, manages symptoms, and reduces cardiac workload.Infections and Autoimmune CausesAdminister appropriate antimicrobial therapy when an infectious agent causes myocarditis. For instance, penicillin treats infections caused by Group A Streptococcus. In cases where autoimmune processes are...
2
01:26Sexually Transmitted Infections
286
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
286