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Estimating trends in the prevalence of problematic cocaine use (1999-2008)

Overview of attention for article published in Gaceta Sanitaria, July 2015
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Title
Estimating trends in the prevalence of problematic cocaine use (1999-2008)
Published in
Gaceta Sanitaria, July 2015
DOI 10.1016/j.gaceta.2015.05.008
Pubmed ID
Authors

Albert Espelt, Antònia Domingo-Salvany, Albert Sánchez-Niubó, Marc Marí-Dell’Olmo, M. Teresa Brugal

Abstract

To examine trends in the prevalence of problematic cocaine use in a large city and describe the problems encountered when estimating these trends using capture-recapture techniques based on secondary data METHODS: We used clinical data on accident and emergency department episodes at four university hospitals in Barcelona (Spain) between 1999 and 2008 (3 capture periods per year). Users were categorized into two subgroups depending on concomitant heroin use (cocaine plus heroin, cocaine without heroin). The mean age of users was 34 years and 25% were women (2008). The mean number of episodes per user differed between drug subgroups and over time. The estimated total number of cocaine users increased from 6,028 (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 4,086-9,327) in 1999 to 22,640 (95%CI: 14,001-37,500) in 2006, but decreased thereafter. The prevalence of problematic use of cocaine plus heroin was stable throughout the study. Thus, trends in the prevalence of problematic cocaine use differed depending on concomitant heroin use. Our results are consistent with those provided by health surveys and treatment registries. They also highlight the pitfalls of applying the capture-recapture approach to secondary data, and the need for a better understanding of how information is collected and changes over time.

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The data shown below were compiled from readership statistics for 29 Mendeley readers of this research output. Click here to see the associated Mendeley record.

Geographical breakdown

Country Count As %
Spain 1 3%
Unknown 28 97%

Demographic breakdown

Readers by professional status Count As %
Researcher 8 28%
Student > Master 6 21%
Other 4 14%
Unspecified 2 7%
Student > Bachelor 1 3%
Other 2 7%
Unknown 6 21%
Readers by discipline Count As %
Nursing and Health Professions 6 21%
Medicine and Dentistry 5 17%
Psychology 3 10%
Unspecified 2 7%
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science 1 3%
Other 4 14%
Unknown 8 28%