A study shows that people who inject drugs have a high mortality rate from endocarditis, a treatable heart-valve infection. The survival rate improves with addiction support in addition to medical treatment. Women who inject drugs are disproportionately affected by endocarditis. Treatment for endocarditis includes antibiotics and in-hospital care, but many patients experience withdrawal symptoms leading to premature discharge. Research found that addiction treatment and care post-hospitalization significantly improved long-term survival. However, such comprehensive care is not widely available in North American hospitals. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing addiction in hospitalized patients to reduce mortality rates, especially among vulnerable populations like pregnant women and young individuals.
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Women who inject drugs are vulnerable to endocarditis, study shows
