%0 Journal Article %J Drug and Alcohol Dependence %D 2015 %T Health, perceived quality of life and health services use among homeless illicit drug users %A O'Brien, K %A Schuttke, A %A Alhakeem, E %A Donnelly-Swift, E %A Keogh, C %A Caroll, A %A O Sullivan, K %A Galvin, R %A Fahey, T %K Homeless; Drug user; Mental health; Perceived quality of life; Health service use %X Introduction Drug misuse has been identified as a significant problem in homeless populations. This study examines aspects of physical and mental health, perceived quality of life and health service use among homeless illicit drug users and compares these to non-drug users. Methods Participants were recruited through health clinics across Dublin. A questionnaire assessed participants’ drug use, health and well-being, health behaviours and use of health services. Descriptive statistics are presented for the entire cohort and drug users separately. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between drug use and (i) multimorbidity, (ii) anxiety and/or depression, (iii) perceived quality of life and (iv) use of health services. Results Of 105 participants recruited, 35 (33%) were current drug users. Current and previous drug users were significantly more likely to have multimorbidity than those who had never taken drugs (OR 4.86, 95% CI 1.00–23.66). There was no significant difference between drug users and non-drug users in the prevalence of anxiety and/or depression. Drug users were five times more likely than non-drug users to have a low perceived quality of life (OR 5.2, 95% CI 1.7–16.0). Health service utilization was high, although some services were used less by drug users (e.g., dentist and psychiatric outpatient services) while others were used more often (e.g., phoneline services and day care centres). Conclusion This study highlights the high levels of drug use in this population and the negative impact of drug use on health and perceived quality of life of a homeless population in Dublin. %B Drug and Alcohol Dependence %V 154 %8 2015 %G eng %U http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871615003324 %& 139–14 %R 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.06.033 %0 Journal Article %J BMJ Open 2015 %D 2015 %T Benzodiazepine prescribing in children under 15 years of age receiving free medical care on the General Medical Services scheme in Ireland %A O Sullivan, K %A Reulbach, U %A Boland, F %A Moschetti, I %A Kelly, D %A Bennett, K %A Fahey, T %X Objective To examine the prevalence and secular trends in benzodiazepine (BZD) prescribing in the Irish paediatric population. In addition, we examine coprescribing of antiepileptic, antipsychotic, antidepressant and psychostimulants in children receiving BZD drugs and compare BZD prescribing in Ireland to that in other European countries. Setting Data were obtained from the Irish General Medical Services (GMS) scheme pharmacy claims database from the Health Service Executive (HSE)—Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS). Participants Children aged 0–15 years, on the HSE-PCRS database between January 2002 and December 2011, were included. Primary and secondary outcome measures Prescribing rates were reported over time (2002–2011) and duration (≤ or >90 days). Age (0–4, 5–11, 12–15) and gender trends were established. Rates of concomitant prescriptions for antiepileptic, antipsychotics, antidepressants and psychostimulants were reported. European prescribing data were retrieved from the literature. Results Rates decreased from 2002 (8.56/1000 GMS population: 95% CI 8.20 to 8.92) to 2011 (5.33/1000 GMS population: 95% CI 5.10 to 5.55). Of those children currently receiving a BZD prescription, 6% were prescribed BZD for >90 days. Rates were higher for boys in the 0–4 and 5–11 age ranges, whereas for girls they were higher in the 12–15 age groups. A substantial proportion of children receiving BZD drugs are also prescribed antiepileptic (27%), antidepressant (11%), antipsychotic (5%) and psychostimulant (2%) medicines. Prescribing rates follow a similar pattern to that in other European countries. Conclusions While BZD prescribing trends have decreased in recent years, this study shows that a significant proportion of the GMS children population are being prescribed BZD in the long term. This study highlights the need for guidelines for BZD prescribing in children in terms of clinical indication and responsibility, coprescribing, dosage and duration of treatment. %B BMJ Open 2015 %V 5 %G eng %U http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/6/e007070.long %N 6 %R 2015;5:e007070 doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2014-007070 %0 Generic %D 2014 %T Benzodiazpine prescribing in Irish children. SAPC July 9-11 2014 Edinburgh %A O Sullivan, K %A Reulbach, U %A Boland, F %A Kelly, D %A Bennett, K %A Fahey, T %G eng