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ABSTRACT: The objectives of the study were to describe the circumstances surrounding the initiation of intravenous drug use, the role of the introducer and to evaluate intravenous drug users risk behaviors at the first injection of drug.
In 1997, we conducted a cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire concerning the initiation process into intravenous drug abuse. IDUs were interviewed in four treatment drug abuse and psychosocial centers in Paris and in one prison.
Of the 152 consecutive IDUs interviewed, 143 completed the questionnaire, 83 were male.
The mean age at first opiate use and at first injection were 19 years (SD: 4.3) and 20 years (SD: 4.3). At first injection, heroin was the main used drug (91%), the subject was with others persons (91%), asked himself for injection (70%) albeit had not planned this injection (40%). The subject injected at a friend's home (31%). The introducer was an IDU (93%), mean age 23.4 (SD: 5.2). He or she was a friend (61%) or a sexual partner (14%). The preparation of the first injection and the injection were made by the introducer in 72 % and 74 % of cases. The injecting equipment had been borrowed (22%) from an IDU whose HIV status and HCV status were unknown in 83 % and 85 % of cases.
Our study shows novel results about the first injection, they are of prime importance for harm reduction. The introducer plays a major role in preventing risk-behavior at the first injection and for education about safe injecting practices.
Annales de medecine interne 11/2000; 151 Suppl B:B5-8.
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Annales de medecine interne 11/2000; 151 Suppl B:B34-5.
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to identify relationships between injecting and sexual risk behaviours and hepatitis C virus (HCV) status knowledge in intravenous drug users (IDUs). It was a cross-sectional survey (March 1994-June 1995) in 10 drug abuse treatment or psychosocial centres in Paris, France. We used a structured questionnaire about sexual, injecting, HIV and HCV antibody testing practices and results during the previous 6 months. Six hundred and twelve sexually active IDUs aged 18 or older who were current injecting drug users were interviewed. Of 592 respondent IDUs, 37% did not report consistent HCV testing and 34% reported being HCV-positive. HCV-positive IDUs were older than HCV-negatives and HCV-unknowns. HCV-unknowns and HCV-positives had a lower educational level than HCV-negatives. After adjusting for demographic characteristics and HIV status, the factors associated with being HCV-unknown were not using condoms (OR: 2.9; 95% CI: 1.9-4.6) as well as clean equipment (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2-3.0). Not using new equipment was negatively associated with being HCV-unknown (OR: 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2-0.6) and with being HCV-positive (OR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.8). Our study suggests that particular sexual and injecting risk-behaviours are associated with not knowing HCV status. As HCV-unknown IDUs are likely to be at the risk of transmitting HCV or acquiring other infections. HCV testing should be encouraged and associated with sexual counselling. Special attention should be paid to disinfecting practices for HCV-positives and use of new injecting equipment should be recommended for HCV-negatives.
European Journal of Epidemiology 06/2000; 16(5):439-45. · 4.71 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This report presents the case of a 73 yr-old female in whom kyphoscoliosis, osteoporotic vertebra compression fractures and sternal injury resulted in severe respiratory failure and hypoxaemia. Pulmonary function testing showed moderate restrictive pattern and rare mismatches were found on lung ventilation/perfusion scanning. Transoesophageal echocardiography with contrast studies showed abnormal anatomic mediastinal interactions which led to right-to-left interatrial shunt, through patent foremen ovale. First-intention treatment, because of orthopaedic and respiratory surgical restraints, was to close the shunt using transcatheter devices. Follow-up after 6 months demonstrated that these interauricular umbrella devices corrected arterial hypoxaemia. True right-to-left interatrial shunts can be found in kyphoscoliotic patients, as a result of thoracic deformation, and can be safely treated with percutaneous trancatheter closure.
European Respiratory Journal 01/2000; 14(6):1433-4. · 5.89 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: An 80-year-old man was admitted with recurrent asphyxiating pleurisy, first attributed to heart failure. During the recurrent episodes, the patient presented fever, signs of inflammation, no signs of heart failure, and subnormal cardiac function, prompting further investigations which disclosed that the patient was a homozygous carrier of the severe type of periodic disease mutation. The patient's age at symptom onset and the clinical features of this case of periodic disease are exceptional. These points emphasize the usefulness of available genetic tests in difficult diagnostic cases. It also reflects current difficulties in trying to establish correlations between genotype and phenotype in periodic disease.
Revue de Pneumologie Clinique 04/1999; 55(1):39-41. · 0.24 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To characterize and identify determinants of risk behaviour patterns of intravenous drug users (IDUs) independently of changes due to knowledge of HIV or hepatitis C Virus (HCV) seropositivity.
A cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire concerning sexual, injecting and HIV and HCV antibody testing practices.
IDUs were interviewed in the Paris region at 10 treatment or psychosocial centres.
Six hundred and twelve consecutive sexually active IDUs over 18 years able to answer the questionnaire.
Five hundred and ninety-five IDUs completed the questionnaire. The risk-behaviour patterns of the 328 IDUs not reporting HIV or HCV seropositivity were analysed by phi correlation. Risk factors for each risk behaviour were determined by regression logistic models yielding odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).
Several risk behaviour patterns were suggested: (1) lending, borrowing; (2) not or inconsistently testing HIV and HCV serology and not or inconsistently using condoms; (3) having multiple partners and prostitution; and (4) not using clean equipment. Alcohol abuse was independently and specifically associated with lending (OR = 3.8; 95% CI: 2.1-7.0) and borrowing (OR = 3.3; 95% CI: 1.8-6.1); homelessness with injecting risk behaviours and with prostitution (OR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.2-6.1); low educational level and having children with not or inconsistently using condom and serology testing; and cocaine use with not or inconsistently using condoms (OR = 0.4; 95% CI: 0.3-0.7) and serology testing and not using clean equipment (OR = 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2-0.8). Having multiple partners and prostitution had no common risk factors.
Identifying specific risk factors could help to target drug harm reduction programmes for each risk behaviour pattern among IDUs not reporting HIV and HCV seropositivity.
Addiction 12/1998; 93(11):1657-68. · 4.31 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This work was aimed at identifying differences in HIV and HCV risk behaviors among intravenous drug users (IDUs) according to the gender and their determinants.
IDUs over 18 years, having had sexual intercourse and able to answer the questionnaire were interviewed in 10 drug abuse treatment centers or social institutions using a questionnaire adapted from the one used in the survey of sexual lifestyle in France.
Over 612 eligible IDUs, 595 completed the questionnaire (women: 29%);37% had multiple partners with no difference according to the gender; 14% of the women and 7% of the men reported trading sex. More women reported inconsistent condom use (46% vs. 55%) and inconsistent clean equipment use (65% vs. 73%). A younger age, independently associated to sharing equipment (men: OR = 0.94; 95% CI = 0.90-0.99; women: OR = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.85-0.99) and inconsistent HIV serology testing, independently associated to inconsistent condom use (men: OR = 3.36; 95% CI = 2.02-5.60; women: OR = 10.72; 95% CI = 3.18-36.18), were the only risk markers common to both genders. For women, being HIV negative increased the risk of inconsistent condom use. Low educational level increased the risk of inconsistent clean equipment use. No risk marker among those analyzed was associated to having had multiple partners. For men, low socioeconomic status markers, a steady sexual partner or not living in couple and educational level were associated with sexual risk behaviors (inconsistent condom use and having multiple partners); low socioeconomic status markers were associated with injecting risk behaviors (inconsistent clean equipment use and sharing).
Women were more likely to have both sexual and injecting risk behaviors; their significant risk markers are less numerous thus harm reduction could be more difficult than for men.
Revue d Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique 07/1998; 46(3):193-204. · 0.78 Impact Factor
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Soins. Chirurgie 11/1997;
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ABSTRACT: Withdrawal of opiates drug addicts in Internal Medicine is unusual in France. Four main preliminary conditions are requested: 1--Drug addict preparation and self motivation, 2--Inter and intra institution team collaboration, 3--Opening the hospital towards community agencies, 4--Hospital staff recruited on volunteer basis. Within two years (1992-1993), 210 opiates drug addicts were hospitalized for withdrawal. Two third were males, median age was 27, median years of addiction was 7. Thirty percent were seropositive for HIV, 70% for HCV. Hospitalisation lasted 7 days for heroin addicts and 10 days for morphin, codein or buprenorphin addicts. Successful withdrawn was observed for 70% patients but six months after withdrawal, only 15% remained abstinent.
Bulletin de l'Académie nationale de médecine 11/1995; 179(7):1335-51; discussion 1351-4. · 0.25 Impact Factor
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The European journal of medicine 05/1993; 2(4):242-4.
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The European journal of medicine 05/1993; 2(4):253.
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ABSTRACT: Needle sharing and sexual behaviour were studied in 396 intraveinous drug addicts (IVDA). Only 20% stopped needle sharing and used condoms. They were 6% before 1990 and 23% after. Both preventive measures were adopted by 32 of 78 HIV positive and only 25 of 210 HIV negative IVDA. Attention is drawn on the need for specific measures for prevention of heterosexual transmission of HIV infection by IVDA.
La Revue de Médecine Interne 02/1993; 14(10):999. · 0.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Clinical course of HIV infection was studied among 156 intravenous drug users (IVDU). Mean follow up was 22.7 months. Characteristics of HIV infection in IVDU were frequent oral candidiasis and bacterial infections (BI), more frequent progression to AIDS after a second BI, rapid decline of CD4+ in a group of current IVDU. Progression to AIDS was 14.5% per year, not different among current and former IVDU. Twenty five IVDU died.
La Revue de Médecine Interne 02/1993; 14(10):998. · 0.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Understanding actual experiences of sexuality and pregnancy in HIV positive drug addicts is essential for the prevention of AIDS dissemination. A rigorous organization and a coherent therapeutic project are needed for pregnancy supervision (pregnancy being carried on in over 50 percent of cases), for psychological preparation to the recognition of foetus reality and birth, and for newborn follow up to prevent his abandonment. The specific problems of pregnancy, seropositivity and drug addiction should be taken into account at the same time. The intervention of a voluntary, motivated and polyvalent team and a hospital opening towards outreach workers are two essential conditions of success.
La Presse Médicale 07/1992; 21(24):1123-6. · 0.67 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Two homosexuals with advanced HIV infection and testicular seminoma stage IIb and IIc were treated with irradiation associated with chemotherapy in one patient. Subdiaphragmatic irradiation was followed by moderate diarrhoea. Initial chemotherapy consisted of cisplatinum, vinblastine, bleomycin replaced by cyclophosphamide after radiotherapy. The use of cyclophosphamide was discontinued after 2 courses due to neutropenia (less than 1500/mm3). Complete tumor remission was achieved in both patients without infection in spite of an aggravation of the CD4 deficit (5/mm3, 52/mm3). The patients died of opportunistic infections 14 and 12 months after terminating treatment. We conclude that cytotoxic and radiation treatment can be administered safely if carefully monitored in these severely immunodepressed patients.
Bulletin du cancer 02/1989; 76(7):729-32. · 0.67 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The ten published cases of septic arthritis due to Campylobacter fetus and two more recent cases, one of which was a delayed septic complication of a total hip replacement, are discussed. In 83% of cases, febrile monoarthritis occurred which in 7 out of the 12 cases involved an already diseased joint in a subject over 70 years of age (half of the patients), who was frequently alcoholic and presented either cancer or hepatic cirrhosis and/or diabetes. Hyperleukocytosis of the blood was variable (55% of cases). The joint fluid, which contained a high level of deteriorated polynuclear cells, was routinely cultured on an enriched medium in an anaerobic or microerophilic atmosphere and in 10 out of 12 cases Campylobacter fetus was isolated within 15 days, even in the absence of previous antibiotic therapy. The arthritis, which showed little sign radiographically of destructiveness, was cured, leaving no sequellae in most cases. Treatment usually involved ampicillin or the tetracyclines, either alone or in association with the aminoglycosides.
Revue du rhumatisme et des maladies ostéo-articulaires 05/1986; 53(4):223-6.
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ABSTRACT: Seven cases of acute sphenoid sinusitis were reviewed. Two happened after deep sea diving. Headache of variable location and fever were the most predominant presenting symptoms (5/7). Purulent discharge in the cavum was present in three. Correct diagnosis was delayed from six to twenty-four days after beginning of symptoms, when a neurologic deficit became apparent : mainly paralysis of the sixth and third cranial nerves. Computed axial tomography was the most useful radiologic procedure for demonstrating sinus opacification in every patient. Two patients died, three had complete recovery, one had persistent epileptic focus after brain abscess. Last patient had paraparesis and incontinence of urine after study of cerebrospinal fluid (C. S. F.) flow with methylene blue. Cannulation of the sphenoid sinus was performed in two patients and surgical drainage in three. Gram negative microorganisms and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from the sphenoid sinus of only three patients. Blood cultures were negatives in every cases and C. S. F. in six. First choice antibiotics was an association of aminoglucosides and broad-spectrum penicillin in six cases. It always had to be changed.
Annales de medecine interne 02/1986; 137(8):627-31.
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La Revue de Médecine Interne 01/1986; 6(5):569-70. · 0.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We report the fifth case of carcinoid tumour of Vater ampulla with Von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis. We have reviewed the literature and discussed the significance of such an association which seems fortuitous.
Annales de medecine interne 02/1985; 136(1):46-8.
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ABSTRACT: The clinical features of 22 patients with cirrhosis of the liver complicated by septicaemia were studied retrospectively and compared with a control group of 52 patients with septicaemia without cirrhosis. The incidence of septicaemia was higher in the cirrhotic group (4.25 p. 100) than in the control group (0.64 p. 100). The overall incidence of cirrhosis in patients with septicaemia was 19 p. 100. Nine of the 22 cirrhotic patients and 16 patients in the control group died. Prognostic factor common to both groups of patients were: shock, coma, delayed apyrexia and the isolation of more than one infecting organism on blood culture. Poor prognostic factors specific to the cirrhotic patients were the presence of ascites, especially if infected, and signs of hepatocellular failure.
Annales de medecine interne 02/1985; 136(8):620-4.
