AI Article Synopsis
- A study conducted at a student-run clinic in Miami found that 55.9% of patients who inject drugs tested positive for xylazine in their urine samples.
- The presence of xylazine was linked to factors such as unsheltered homelessness, wounds, and positive tests for hepatitis C, fentanyl, and MDMA.
- The findings highlight the growing prevalence of xylazine in the Southeastern U.S. and emphasize the need for better screening to address associated risks for people who inject drugs.
Article Abstract
Background: We aimed to report the preliminary xylazine prevalence among people who inject drugs (PWID) treated at a student-run free clinic in Miami, FL, USA and to identify characteristics associated with screening positive for xylazine.
Methods: A retrospective chart review of 59 patients presenting to a syringe services program (SSP) clinic in was conducted between April 27th and August 17th, 2023. We measured presence of xylazine with rapid visual immunoassay strips on patient urine samples.
Results: Xylazine was present in 55.9 % (33/59) of urine samples including 2 without detected opioids. Xylazine presence was significantly associated with unsheltered homelessness ( = 0.018), presence of wound(s) ( = 0.008), and testing positive for hepatitis C antibody ( = 0.014), fentanyl ( = 0.005) and MDMA ( = 0.002).
Conclusions: A high prevalence of xylazine in the Southeastern United States furthers evidence of the geographical spread of xylazine and rapidly evolving illicit drug supply. Widespread xylazine screening is urgently needed to inform people who inject drugs and to studyinterventions to minimize harms associated with xylazine.
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Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10755708 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dadr.2023.100209 | DOI Listing |
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