Sanjana Mitra1, William Lee2, Kanna Hayashi3, Jade Boyd4, M J Milloy5, Huiru Dong6, Evan Wood7, Thomas Kerr8. 1. Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies Program, University of British Columbia, 270-2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada. Electronic address: sanjana.mitra@bccsu.ubc.ca. 2. British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada. Electronic address: william.lee@bccsu.ubc.ca. 3. British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada. Electronic address: bccsu-kh@bccsu.ubc.ca. 4. British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 317-2194 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada. Electronic address: jade.boyd@bccsu.ubc.ca. 5. British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 317-2194 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada. Electronic address: bccsu-mjm@bccsu.ubc.ca. 6. British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; School of Population Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada. Electronic address: huiru.dong@bccsu.ubc.ca. 7. British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 317-2194 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada. Electronic address: bccsu-ew@bccsu.ubc.ca. 8. British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 317-2194 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada. Electronic address: bccsu-tk@bccsu.ubc.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: While exposure to traumatic events and subsequent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common among people who use drugs (PWUD), little is known about gender-based differences associated with PTSD in this population. We explore gender-based differences in factors associated with a probable PTSD diagnosis in a cohort of PWUD from Vancouver, Canada. METHODS: Data were collected through the Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study (VIDUS) and the AIDS Care Cohort to Evaluate Exposure to Survival Services (ACCESS), two community-recruited cohorts of PWUD. Participants were administered the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate social-structural factors and substance use patterns and behaviours associated with a probable PTSD diagnosis, stratified by self-identified gender. PTSD symptom clusters and brief descriptions of the worst traumatic event experienced were also reported. RESULTS: Between December 2016 and December 2018, of 797 eligible participants, 295 (37.0%) identified as women. PTSD was more commonly reported in women compared to men (53.2% vs. 31.5%, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis involving men, no correlates were associated with PTSD. In multivariable analysis involving women, PTSD was positively associated with exposure to violence (AOR: 3.66; 95%CI: 1.14-11.72), daily stimulant use (AOR: 2.32; 95%CI: 1.32-4.08) and heavy alcohol use (AOR: 3.84; 95%CI: 1.84-8.00), and negatively associated with being in a stable relationship (AOR: 0.46; 95%CI: 0.25-0.84). CONCLUSIONS: Gender-based differences in PTSD diagnosis among a cohort of PWUD point to the need to develop gender-focused and trauma-informed health and social services to meet the immediate needs of PWUD living with PTSD.
BACKGROUND: While exposure to traumatic events and subsequent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common among people who use drugs (PWUD), little is known about gender-based differences associated with PTSD in this population. We explore gender-based differences in factors associated with a probable PTSD diagnosis in a cohort of PWUD from Vancouver, Canada. METHODS: Data were collected through the Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study (VIDUS) and the AIDS Care Cohort to Evaluate Exposure to Survival Services (ACCESS), two community-recruited cohorts of PWUD. Participants were administered the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate social-structural factors and substance use patterns and behaviours associated with a probable PTSD diagnosis, stratified by self-identified gender. PTSD symptom clusters and brief descriptions of the worst traumatic event experienced were also reported. RESULTS: Between December 2016 and December 2018, of 797 eligible participants, 295 (37.0%) identified as women. PTSD was more commonly reported in women compared to men (53.2% vs. 31.5%, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis involving men, no correlates were associated with PTSD. In multivariable analysis involving women, PTSD was positively associated with exposure to violence (AOR: 3.66; 95%CI: 1.14-11.72), daily stimulant use (AOR: 2.32; 95%CI: 1.32-4.08) and heavy alcohol use (AOR: 3.84; 95%CI: 1.84-8.00), and negatively associated with being in a stable relationship (AOR: 0.46; 95%CI: 0.25-0.84). CONCLUSIONS: Gender-based differences in PTSD diagnosis among a cohort of PWUD point to the need to develop gender-focused and trauma-informed health and social services to meet the immediate needs of PWUD living with PTSD.
Authors: Alexandra B Collins; Jade Boyd; Will Damon; Sandra Czechaczek; Andrea Krüsi; Hannah Cooper; Ryan McNeil Journal: Health Place Date: 2018-04-11 Impact factor: 4.078
Authors: L M Najavits; D R Gastfriend; J P Barber; S Reif; L R Muenz; J Blaine; A Frank; P Crits-Christoph; M Thase; R D Weiss Journal: Am J Psychiatry Date: 1998-02 Impact factor: 18.112
Authors: Ronald C Kessler; Patricia Berglund; Olga Demler; Robert Jin; Kathleen R Merikangas; Ellen E Walters Journal: Arch Gen Psychiatry Date: 2005-06
Authors: Akash Gupta; Fatma M Shebl; Yao Tong; Katherine Wagner; Ingrid V Bassett; Kimberly Page; Erin L Winstanley Journal: Addict Sci Clin Pract Date: 2022-10-20