Abstract
Background: Infectious complications among Injection Drug Users (IDUs) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality and
place an enormous burden on the healthcare system.
Objectives: The present study aimed to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of infectious complications in a sample
of IDUs admitted to a hospital in Hamadan, Iran.
Patients and Methods: In a retrospective manner, medical records of IDUs admitted to an infectious diseases ward between 2007 and
2012 were reviewed. Data on patients’ demographic characteristics, reasons for admission, antibiotic treatment prior to admission,
duration of hospital stay, mortality, and also the status of infection with hepatitis B, C, and HIV were recorded.
Results: Data for 100 IDUs lead to 115 admission episodes were available during the study. Bacterial infections accounted for 71% of all
admissions. Among bacterial infections, skin and soft tissue infections, endocarditis, bone and joined infections emerged as the most
common types. For 29% of cases, the reason for admission was due to viral pathogens, among which HIV/AIDS was the most common. The
prevalence rates for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infection were 10.0%, 6.0% and 23.0%, respectively. The mean duration of hospital stay
was 15.1 ± 0.9 days (range: 8 - 45 days). During the study period, 13 deaths were documented.
Conclusions: Despite implementation of community-level harm reduction strategies in Iran, infectious complications due to illicit drug
use are frequent and often require care at the hospital. Introducing harm reductions services at an inpatient level may improve the quality
of care provided and help reduce the burden of accrue from drug use.