Document 2442
 DOCN  M94A2442
 TI    High mortality but few seroconversions among hard-core drug addicts in
       Stockholm.
 DT    9412
 AU    Fugelstad A; Bottiger M; Romelsjo A; Agren G; Psyschiatric Dependency
       Clinic, S:t Goran Hospital, Stockholm.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):303 (abstract no. PC0142). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370133
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To study mortality, causes of deaths and seroconversions in
       relation to methadone maintenance treatment. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The
       study includes all intravenous heroin users who had undergone compulsory
       treatment in Stockholm February 1st 1986 to June 31st 1988. The cohort
       consists of 101 drug addicts with an intense and long standing drug
       abuse, who had failed in voluntary treatment. 57 addicts were HIV
       seropositive, 42 seronegative and in 2 cases the HIV status was not
       known when entering compulsory treatment. The majority of the
       seropositive addicts were diagnosed as such in 1984 or 1985. RESULTS:
       The cohort was followed up until January 1st 1994. During this period 40
       addicts died. Most deaths were from violent causes, including heroin
       intoxication. No addict became permanently drug free. In the end of 1987
       a local methadone maintenance treatment programme (MMTP) was started in
       Stockholm. 56 addicts in the cohort had been admitted to the programme
       and 32 patients were still participating in it at the end of the follow
       up period. The rest were discharged or had died. During the observation
       period 3 of the seronegative addicts seroconverted. CONCLUSION: In spite
       of a very intense drug abuse and high mortality rate in this cohort,
       there where few seroconversions. In Stockholm there has never been a
       needle exchange programme. A very high testing frequency among drug
       addicts combined with counselling may have contributed to the low rate
       of seroconversions.
 DE    Cohort Studies  Heroin
       Dependence/COMPLICATIONS/*MORTALITY/REHABILITATION  Human  *HIV
       Seropositivity  Methadone/THERAPEUTIC USE  Sweden/EPIDEMIOLOGY  MEETING
       ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).