Risk-factors for methadone-specific deaths in Scotland's methadone-prescription clients between 2009 and 2013.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

To quantify gender, age-group and quantity of methadone prescribed as risk factors for drugs-related deaths (DRDs), and for methadone-specific DRDs, in Scotland's methadone-prescription clients.

Design

Linkage to death-records for Scotland's methadone-clients with one or more Community Health Index (CHI)-identified methadone prescriptions during July 2009 to June 2013.

Setting

Scotland's Prescribing Information System and National Records of Scotland.

Measurements

Covariates defined at first CHI-identified methadone prescription, and person-years at-risk (pys) thereafter until the earlier of death-date or 31 December 2013. Methadone-specific DRDs were defined as: methadone implicated but neither heroin nor buprenorphine. Hazard ratios (HRs) were assessed us

SUBMITTER: Gao L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5047032 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature