Clinico-Epidemiological Aspects of Cutaneous Lesions in Injecting Drug Users Visiting an Oral Substitution Therapy Centre: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Drug abuse has been taking a great toll on the health and well-being of the community for the past few decades. Substance abuse can lead to several cutaneous manifestations both direct injury by the offending drug or the practices of drug usage causing secondary damage to the skin. The early recognition of these signs is of utmost importance to prevent long-term complications. Objectives: To study the clinical-epidemiological profile of the skin diseases in Injecting Drug Users (IDU) attending Oral Substitution Therapy (OST) center and assess the psychological impact of skin conditions in IDUs attending oral substitution therapy center. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study involved 100 IDUs enrolled from the OST center who were subjected to brief history taking and clinical and dermoscopic evaluation of skin lesions. Dermatological quality of life index (DLQI), Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS), and WHO-QoL questionnaire were used to evaluate the impact of skin lesions on Psycho-social health and quality of life of IDUs. Results: Cutaneous lesions ranged from track marks to severe ulcerations and scarring. Mucosal lesions also took a toll on several Patients. Patients had varying degrees of anxiety, depression, and mental stress. Conclusions: Injecting Drug Abusers are prone to acquire Skin diseases due to injury caused by drugs as well as by drug practices adopted and the degree of neglect may worsen these conditions. These cutaneous lesions hamper the quality of life and cause psychosocial disturbances.

Keywords

• injecting drug users
• mucocutaneous lesions
• dermatology quality of life index
• DASS score
• track marks