Acute injection-related infections requiring hospitalisation among people who inject drugs: Clinical features, microbiology and management

From 574 extracted candidate admissions, 226 were eligible, representing 178 patients. Median age was 41 years, 66% male and 49% had unstable housing. Over 50% had a psychiatric diagnosis and 35% were on opioid agonist therapy (OAT) on admission. Skin and soft tissue infection was the most common IRI (58%), followed by bacteraemia (18%) and endocarditis (13%). Management included addictions review (63%), blood-borne virus screening (51%), surgery (34%) and OAT commencement (30%). Aggression events (15%) and unplanned discharge (30%) complicated some admissions. Opioid use without OAT was associated with almost 3-fold increased odds of unplanned discharge compared to no opioid use.