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Pulmonary complications associated with illicit drug use. An update
A E O'Donnell1, J Selig, M Aravamuthan
1Department of Medicine, District of Columbia General Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
Chest
|August 1, 1995
Summary
Pulmonary complications in illicit drug users have shifted, with HIV-related opportunistic infections becoming more prevalent. Pneumocystis pneumonia, community-acquired pneumonia, and tuberculosis remain common, while septic pulmonary embolism is now rare.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Historically, non-opportunistic infections were the primary pulmonary concern in illicit drug users.
- A shift in the spectrum of pulmonary disease associated with illicit drug use was anticipated.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for effective clinical management and public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To update the understanding of pulmonary complications in illicit drug users during the 1990s.
- To identify the most prevalent pulmonary conditions in this population during the study period.
- To compare current findings with historical data on non-opportunistic infectious pulmonary complications.
Main Methods:
- A concurrent and retrospective chart review was conducted.
- The study included 97 patients (105 hospital admissions) admitted over a 14-month period.
- Patients were identified as illicit drug users with pulmonary complications at an inner-city municipal hospital.
Main Results:
- Sixty percent of the patients were diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.
- The most frequent pulmonary complication was Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (30%).
- Community-acquired pneumonia (12%) and tuberculosis (9%) were also significant findings.
Conclusions:
- The spectrum of pulmonary disease in illicit drug users has significantly changed since 1988.
- Opportunistic HIV-related diseases have become substantially more common.
- Community-acquired pneumonia and tuberculosis continue to be frequent complications, whereas septic pulmonary embolism has become rare.
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