ILLICIT INTRAVENOUS DRUG-USE IN JOHANNESBURG - MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS AND PREVALENCE OF HIV-INFECTION

Objective. To describe the magnitude of the problem of abuse by self-i njection of dipianone HCl/cyclizine HCl (Wellconal) and to document th e associated morbidity, mortality and prevalence of HIV infection. Des ign, We conducted a retrospective analysis of 121 admissions of 86 pat ients who were current intravenous Wellconal abusers and presented to Johannesburg and J G Strijdom Hospitals over an 18-month period, Case records were analysed in respect of age, sex, median hospital stay, co mplications, HIV antibody status and eventual outcome, Main outcome me asures. Age, sex, median hospital stay, complications, HIV antibody st atus and eventual outcome. Results, Complications of Wellconal abuse o ccurred in young adults (median age 24 years) with an approximately eq ual gender distribution, Opiate overdose was the most frequent present ing diagnosis (32%), followed by right-sided endocarditis (20%) and de ep-vein thrombosis (12%), A wide variety of complications accounted fo r the remaining 36%. A 2% HIV antibody positivity rate was found, whic h is substantially lower than that encountered in intravenous drug abu sers in other parts of the world, Seventy-eight per cent of patients c ompleted therapy successfully, but 19% left hospital prematurely again st medical advice, There was a mortality rate of 3%, Conclusions, Whil e the prevalence of Wellconal abuse in the broader South African commu nity is unknown, our study draws attention to the extent of the proble m in Johannesburg.