Evidence map›Paper›PMID 29482054›Full record

ArticleDrug and alcohol dependence2018

Sex work, injection drug use, and abscesses: Associations in women, but not men.

Alysse G Wurcel, Deirdre Burke, Margie Skeer, David Landy, Robert Heimer, John B Wong, Kenneth K H Chui, Thomas J Stopka

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Drug and alcohol dependence, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
12citing papers in PubMed
0.6field-weighted citation impact, top 30% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

12 citing papers in PubMed, 21 citations in OpenAlex.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.

Alysse G WurcelDepartment of Medicine, Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States. Electronic address: awurcel@tuftsmedicalcenter.org.
Deirdre BurkeDepartment of Medicine, Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States.
Margie SkeerDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.
David LandyDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.
Robert HeimerDepartment of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States.
John B WongDivision of Clinical Decision Making, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.
Kenneth K H ChuiDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.
Thomas J StopkaDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.
Tufts University · USTufts Medical Center · USYale University · US

Funding

Translational ScienceP30AI042853 · NIAID · MIRIAM HOSPITAL · PI LARRY K BROWN · 1998 to 2026
$51.7M
Tufts Clinical and Translational Research InstituteUL1TR001064 · NCATS · TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON · PI SELKER, HARRY P. · 2013 to 2017
$26.4M
NCATS NIH HHS UL1 TR001064NIAID NIH HHS P30 AI042853
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAbscesses commonly occur among people who inject drugs (PWID). However, whether the risks are comparable between males and females, and the impact of sex work on abscess risk is unclear. The goal of this study was to examine the contemporary associations of gender and sex work with the risk of abscesses in PWID.

methodsCombining data from two cross-sectional studies conducted in the Greater Boston Area with people at risk for HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV), we used the following inclusion criteria: age 18-45 years and report of illicit or non-prescription drug injection within the 30 days prior to the survey. Information on demographics, injection-mediated risks, and sexual behaviors was collected using Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview Software. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to model associations.

resultsThe study sample included 298 people including 30% were female. Females were more likely than men to report sex work (28% vs. 16%, p = .012) and abscess during their lifetime (55% vs. 37% p = .004). Among the females, engaging in sex work increased by >5-fold the odds of reporting abscesses [Adjusted odds ratio 5.42; 95% CI: 1.27, 23.10]. There was no association between sex work and abscesses among men. DISCUSSION: We found a female-specific association between sex work, injection drug use, and abscesses among PWID. Although the cross-sectional designs precluded causal inferences, longitudinal studies could enhance understanding of gender-associated risks for abscesses and inform the development of harm reduction interventions.

Indexed as

Harm ReductionSex WorkAbscessAdolescentAdultBostonCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHepatitis CHIV InfectionsHumansLongitudinal StudiesMaleMiddle AgedRisk FactorsRisk-TakingAbscessHeroinInjection drug usePeople who inject drugsSex workSkin and soft tissue infection

Identifiers

PMID29482054
PMCPMC5991097
OpenAlexW2790627838

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceTDM
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.