Injection of opioids linked to significant increase in bacterial heart infections

(Lawson Health Research Institute) In a new study from ICES, Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University, researchers discovered a significant rise in the risk of infective endocarditis, a serious heart infection, among Ontarians who inject drugs. When examining opioid prescriptions in the province, the research team discovered the increased risk of infective endocarditis may be related to the growing use of a specific opioid, hydromorphone.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2UhBdYS