Trends and characteristics of heroin overdoses in Wisconsin, 2003-2012.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Heroin abuse has increased substantially during the past decade in the United States. This study describes trends and demographic shifts of heroin overdoses and heroin-related fatalities in Wisconsin and contrasts these with prescription opioid overdoses.

METHODS:

This study was cross-sectional using databases of emergency department (ED) visits, hospital admissions, and death certificates in Wisconsin, United States, during 2003-2012. Cases were Wisconsin residents treated for heroin or prescription opioid overdose, and residents who died of heroin-related drug poisoning. Primary measurements were rates over time and by geographic region, and rates and rate ratios for selected demographic characteristics.

RESULTS:

During 2003-2012, age-adjusted rates of heroin overdoses treated in EDs increased from 1.0 to 7.9/100,000 persons; hospitalized heroin overdoses increased from 0.7 to 3.5/100,000. Whites accounted for 68% of hospitalized heroin overdoses during 2003-2007 but 80% during 2008-2012. Heroin-related deaths were predominantly among urban residents; however, rural fatalities accounted for zero deaths in 2003 but 31 (17%) deaths in 2012. Among patients aged 18-34 years, those hospitalized with heroin overdose were more often men (73.0% versus 54.9%), uninsured (44.2% versus 29.9%), and urban (84.3% versus 73.2%) than those with prescription opioid overdose. Rates of ED visits for heroin overdose in this age group exceeded rates for prescription opioid overdose in 2012 (26.1/100,000 versus 12.6/100,000 persons, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS:

An epidemic of heroin abuse is characterized by demographic shifts toward whites and rural residents. Rates of heroin overdose in younger persons now exceed rates of prescription opioid overdose.

• Authors: Jon Meiman, Carrie Tomasallo, Leonard Paulozzi
• Journal: Drug and alcohol dependence (Drug Alcohol Depend) Vol. 152 Pg. 177-84 (Jul 01 2015) ISSN: 1879-0046 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 25935735 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Opioid
• Heroin

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Age Factors
• Aged
• Analgesics, Opioid (poisoning)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Drug Overdose (epidemiology, mortality)
• Emergency Service, Hospital (statistics & numerical data)
• Female
• Heroin (poisoning)
• Heroin Dependence (epidemiology)
• Hospitalization (trends)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Rural Population (statistics & numerical data)
• Sex Factors
• Time Factors
• Urban Population (statistics & numerical data)
• Wisconsin (epidemiology)
• Young Adult