The impact of illicit drug use and harmful drinking on quality of life among injection drug users at high risk for hepatitis C infection

Abstract

Background-Heavy alcohol use, hepatitis C and illicit drug use each have been shown to have negative impacts on health-related quality of life (HRQL). To date, considerations of HRQL have not played a prominent role in the design and measurement of intervention strategies for out-oftreatment at-risk populations.Methods-Data were collected from out-of-treatment IDUs recruited through street outreach in North Carolina. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the independent effects of HCV status, harmful drinking (AUDIT), and illicit drug use on HRQL (SF-36).Results-Fifty-one percent of 619 study participants tested HCV-positive; 57% met criteria for harmful or hazardous drinking and 63% reported daily use of hard drugs. HRQL scores for this population were significantly lower than those of the general population. Multiple linear regression analyses demonstrated that harmful levels of alcohol consumption and use of methamphetamine in the past month had the strongest associations with reduced HRQL.Conclusions-Given the high rates of HCV in most IDU communities, new harm reduction approaches are needed for these populations which focus beyond prevention to the functioning and well-being of those already infected. In particular, reducing heavy alcohol use in addition to slowing HCV progression shows promise for improving HRQL.

Health-Related Quality of Life in HIV-Infected Patients: The Role of Substance Use

“…33 In a community sample of injection drug users in North Carolina, methamphetamine use had the strongest associations with reduced HRQOL. 35 Our study suggests methamphetamine use is an important contributor to decreased HRQOL in HIVinfected populations, as well.…”

Correlation between depressive symptoms and quality of life in users of psychoactive substances

“…The use of PAS and QL have been discussed in its majority in American studies, showing that within PAS users, lower scores of QL when compared to the general population and with other patients with chronic diseases (4,13) .…”

“…intRodUCtion During a long time, the abusive behavior of substances that alter the cerebral functioning causing modifications in the mental state, denominated as psychoactive substances (PAS), was treated with punitive actions for being considered a moral failure or lack of willpower (1) . However, in the last two decades, with the progressive development of scientific studies, the approach started to be done in a preventive and therapeutic way, as it was comprehended as a serious health problem, affecting diverse areas of live of an individual, with direct or indirect repercussions in the quality of life (QL) (2)(3)(4) .…”

“…Although the scientific literature had discussed harms caused by the use of PAS (10)(11)(12) ,studies about the use of those and QL have been conducted internationally, majorly between users of injectable drugs, opioids and/or in substitution programs (methadone), noting that the use affects QL, with more losses to emotional, mental health and social functioning aspects (3)(4)13) .…”

Labyrinth Walking in Corrections

“…Using QOL instruments with similar populations has informed the choice of instruments in this study. The literature has shown that in and out of treatment IDU return to heavy drug use negatively impacting their QOL (Costenbader, Zule, & Coomes, 2007).…”