Original research
by
Lewer, Dan et al
Release Date
2021
Geography
UK
Language of Resource
English
Full Text Available
Yes
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
Yes
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Objective
In many countries, the average age of people who use illicit opioids, such as heroin, is increasing. This has been suggested to be a reason for increasing numbers of opioid-related deaths seen in surveillance data. We aimed to describe causes of death among people who use illicit opioids in England, how causes of death have changed over time, and how they change with age.
Design/methods
In this matched cohort study, we studied patients in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink with recorded illicit opioid use (n=106789, defined as aged 18–64 years, with prescriptions or clinical observations that indicate use of illicit opioids) in England between Jan 1, 2001, and Oct 30, 2018. We also included a comparison group, matched (1:3) for age, sex, and general practice with no records of illicit opioid use before cohort entry (n=320367).
Keywords
Mortality
About PWUD
Outcomes
Illegal drugs
