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- ALANKO BLOMÉ, MARIANNE, et al.
(author)
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Minimal transmission of HIV despite persistently high transmission of hepatitis C virus in a Swedish needle exchange program.
- 2011
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In: Journal of Viral Hepatitis. - : Wiley. - 1365-2893 .- 1352-0504. ; 18, s. 831-839
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Summary. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and incidence of HIV and hepatitis B and C (HBV and HCV) among injecting drug users in a Swedish needle exchange programme (NEP) and to identify risk factors for blood-borne transmission. A series of serum samples from NEP participants enrolled from 1997 to 2005 were tested for markers of HIV, HBV and HCV (including retrospective testing for HCV RNA in the last anti-HCV-negative sample from each anti-HCV seroconverter). Prevalence and incidence were correlated with self-reported baseline characteristics. Among 831 participants available for follow-up, one was HIV positive at baseline and two seroconverted to anti-HIV during the follow-up of 2433 HIV-negative person-years [incidence 0.08 per 100 person-years at risk (pyr); compared to 0.0 in a previous assessment of the same NEP covering 1990-1993]. The corresponding values for HBV were 3.4/100 pyr (1990-1993: 11.7) and for HCV 38.3/100 pyr (1990-1993: 27.3). HCV seroconversions occurred mostly during the first year after NEP enrolment. Of the 332 cases testing anti-HCV negative at enrolment, 37 were positive for HCV RNA in the same baseline sample (adjusted HCV incidence 31.5/100 pyr). HCV seroconversion during follow-up was significantly associated with mixed injection use of amphetamine and heroin, and a history of incarceration at baseline. In this NEP setting, HIV prevalence and incidence remained low and HBV incidence declined because of vaccination, but transmission of HCV was persistently high. HCV RNA testing in anti-HCV-negative NEP participants led to more accurate identification of timepoints for transmission.
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- Blomé, Marianne Alanko, et al.
(author)
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Hepatitis C treatment at a Swedish needle exchange program, a successful model of care – the ACTIONNE study
- 2021
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In: International Journal of Drug Policy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0955-3959. ; 96
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: To engage people who inject drugs (PWID) in HCV care, innovative models of care are urgently needed. A needle exchange program (NEP) could serve as an ideal platform for comprehensive HCV management including post treatment follow up. Methods: 50 actively injecting patients at the Malmö Needle exchange program (MNEP) were consecutively enrolled between April 2018 and May 2019. All patients received a fixed-dose combination of once-daily glecaprevir/pibrentasvir for 8 or 12 weeks. Patients were monitored weekly during treatment and data on adherence and side effects was recorded. The primary endpoint was SVR12. Adherence to treatment was the secondary endpoint. Results: 47/50 (94%) patients completed treatment. 45/50 were HCV negative at 12 weeks post treatment giving an SVR12 rate per ITT of 90% and an SVR12 rate per protocol of 96%. One patient showed reinfection 12 weeks post treatment and one patient was lost to follow up and did not produce an SVR12 result. The mean adherence per week, according to pill count, was 98%. Conclusion: Our study shows that the NEP can be a useful tool for engaging actively injecting PWID in HCV management and that SVR rates, comparable to those in non-PWID settings, can be achieved.
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- Dahlman, Disa, et al.
(author)
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High Perineal and Overall Frequency of Staphylococcus aureus in People Who Inject Drugs, Compared to Non-Injectors
- 2017
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In: Current Microbiology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0343-8651 .- 1432-0991. ; 74:2, s. 159-167
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To investigate the prevalence, distribution, and colonization burden of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and MRSA in different body sites among people who inject drugs (PWID) and compare it to a control group consisting of non-injectors. In this cross-sectional survey, 49 active PWID from the needle exchange program (NEP) in Malmö, Sweden, and 60 non-injecting controls from an emergency psychiatric inpatient ward at Malmö Addiction Centre were tested for S. aureus (including MRSA) by culture, PCR, and MALDI-TOF. Samples were taken from anterior nares, throat, perineum, and skin lesions if present. Sixty-seven percent of the PWID were colonized with S. aureus, compared to 50% of the controls (P = 0.08). Perineal carriage was significantly more frequent among PWID than in the control group [37 vs 17%, OR 2.96 (95% CI 1.13–7.75), P = 0.03], also after adjusting for sex and age in multivariate analysis [OR 4.01 (95% CI 1.34–12.03)]. Only one individual in the whole cohort (NEP participant) tested positive for MRSA. PWID may be more frequently colonized with S. aureus in the perineum than non-injection drug users, and there was a trend indicating more frequent overall S. aureus colonization in PWID, as well as higher perineal colonization burden. No indication of a high MRSA prevalence among PWID in Sweden was noted. However, further MRSA prevalence studies among PWID are needed. Knowledge about S. aureus colonization is important for the prevention of S. aureus infections with high morbidity in PWID.
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- Håkansson, Anders, et al.
(author)
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Distribution of intranasal naloxone to potential opioid overdose bystanders in Sweden : Effects on overdose mortality in a full region-wide study
- 2024
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In: BMJ Open. - 2044-6055. ; 14:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives Distribution of take-home naloxone is suggested to reduce opioid-related fatalities, but few studies have examined the effects on overdose deaths in the general population of an entire community. This study aimed to assess the effects on overdose deaths of a large-scale take-home naloxone programme starting in June 2018, using an observational design with a historic control period. Design From the national causes of death register, deaths diagnosed as X42 or Y12 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, ICD-10) were registered as overdoses. Numbers of overdoses were calculated per 100 000 inhabitants in the general population, and controlled for data including only individuals with a prior substance use disorder in national patient registers, to focus on effects within the primary target population of the programme. The full intervention period (2019-2021) was compared with a historic control period (2013-2017). Setting Skåne county, Sweden. Participants General population. Interventions Large-scale take-home naloxone distribution to individuals at risk of overdose. Primary and secondary outcome measures Decrease in overdose deaths per 100 000 inhabitants, in total and within the population with substance use disorder diagnosis. Results Annual average number of overdose deaths decreased significantly from 3.9 to 2.8 per 100 000 inhabitants from the control period to the intervention period (a significant decrease in men, from 6.7 to 4.3, but not in women, from 1.2 to 1.3). Significant changes remained when examining only prior substance use disorder patients, and decreases in overdose deaths could not be attributed to a change in treatment needs for opioid use disorders in healthcare and social services. Conclusions The present study, involving 3 years of take-home naloxone distribution, demonstrated a decreased overdose mortality in the population, however, only in men. The findings call for further implementation of naloxone programmes, and for further studies of potential effects and barriers in women. Trial registration number NCT03570099.
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- JERKEMAN, ANNA, et al.
(author)
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Death from liver disease in a cohort of injecting opioid users in a Swedish city in relation to registration for opioid substitution therapy
- 2017
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In: Drug and Alcohol Review. - : Wiley. - 0959-5236. ; 36:3, s. 424-431
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction and Aims: Injecting opioid users are at elevated risk of death. Although liver disease (especially hepatitis C) is common, its impact on mortality is low in active injectors. Because opioid substitution therapy (OST) reduces the risk of death from directly drug related causes, we hypothesised that the proportion of liver-related deaths would increase in subjects receiving OST. We investigated liver-related mortality in a cohort of injecting opioid users attending a needle exchange program (NEP) in a Swedish city in relation to OST exposure. Design and Methods: Participants enrolled in the NEP between 1987 and 2011 with available national identity numbers, and registered use of opioids, were included. Linkage based on national identity numbers was performed with national registers for death, emigration and prescription of OST. Participants were categorised as non-OST recipients until the registered date of first OST prescription, and hence as OST recipients. Hazard ratios were calculated by Cox regression for overall and liver-related mortality in relation to OST, with OST as a time-dependent variable. Results: Among 4494 NEP participants, 1488 opioid users were identified; 711/1488 had been prescribed OST. During a follow-up period of 15546 person-years 368 deaths occurred. Sixteen deaths were caused by liver disease; 10 of these occurred in OST recipients. The risk of liver-related death was significantly increased in OST receiving participants (hazard ratio 3.08, 95% confidence interval [1.09, 8.68], P=0.03). Conclusions: Liver related mortality among opioid users was significantly elevated in OST recipients, showing the long-term importance of chronic liver disease in this population. [Jerkeman A, Håkansson A, Rylance R, Wagner P, Alanko Blomé M, Björkman P. Death from liver disease in a cohort of injecting opioid users in a Swedish city in relation to registration for opioid substitution therapy.
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- Jörgensen, Jimmy, et al.
(author)
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Staphylococcus aureus carriage and prevalence of skin and soft tissue infections among people who inject drugs : a longitudinal study
- 2024
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In: Scientific Reports. - 2045-2322. ; 14:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- People who inject drugs are frequently colonized with Staphylococcus aureus and have an increased risk for skin and soft tissue infections. This longitudinal study aims to describe S. aureus carriage in this group and the risk for infections during a 1-year follow-up. We included 61 participants from the Malmö Needle Exchange Program. Mapping of S. aureus carriage was conducted by screening cultures every third month and S. aureus growth was semi-quantified. Data regarding infections and living conditions were collected from structured interviews. Statistics included univariate analysis with the Fischer’s exact test, univariate logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression. S. aureus carriage was detected in 46–63% of participants, and 75% reported one or more infections during the study period. Self-reported infections were associated with carriage in perineum (OR 5.08 [95% CI 1.45–17.73]), in skin lesions (OR 1.48 [95% CI 1.21–1.81]), and unstable housing situation (OR 12.83 [95% CI 1.56–105.81]). Thus, people who inject drugs are frequent carriers of S. aureus and report a surprisingly high prevalence of skin and soft tissue infections. Homeless people and those with skin carriage seem to be at highest risk. Effective clinical interventions are needed, aiming at preventing infections in this vulnerable group.
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