National study finds decline in drug use–associated heart infections but growing share involves stimulants
A new national study found that hospitalizations for serious heart infections associated with drug use are declining after years of increases, driven largely by a decrease in opioid-associated cases.
A recent national study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases has revealed a decline in hospitalizations for drug use–associated heart infections, specifically infective endocarditis, over the past few years. The research, which analyzed hospitalization data from 2016 to 2022, found that these infections, often affecting younger adults in their 30s, dropped by 18% from 2020 to 2022.
Opioid-associated cases, historically a major contributor to these infections, have decreased, likely due to increased access to addiction treatments, harm reduction services, and efforts to transition people with opioid use disorder into medication-assisted recovery programs. However, the study also highlights a concerning trend: the proportion of hospitalizations linked to stimulants, such as methamphetamine and cocaine, has been increasing, particularly in the western United States.
This shift reflects a growing problem in the healthcare system's ability to effectively treat stimulant use disorder compared to opioid use disorder, which has several FDA-approved medications available. The researchers emphasize the need for more targeted interventions, such as hospital-based treatment programs, to assist individuals who use stimulants and help them access addiction treatment and ongoing care after discharge.
Further research is also needed to determine if similar declines are occurring in other serious infections associated with drug use, including skin, soft tissue, and bone infections.
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