Risk factors for death in homeless adults in Boston

SamaelET · 2022-11-12T23:07:32+00:00

We conducted a case-control study of 558 adults who were seen by a health care program for the homeless in Boston, Mass, and who died in 1988 to 1993. Age-matched paired controls were selected from among individuals seen by the program who were alive at the end of 1993. Predictive data were obtained by blinded review of medical records. Odds ratios (ORs) for death were calculated using logistic regression analysis models.

In a multivariate analysis, the strongest risk factors for death were acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (OR, 55.8), symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus infection (OR, 17.7), asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus infection (OR, 4.1), renal disease (OR, 18.4), a history of cold-related injury (OR, 8.0), liver disease (OR, 3.8), and arrhythmia (OR, 3.3). A history of substance abuse involving injection drugs (OR, 1.6) or alcohol (OR, 1.5) also increased the risk of mortality. Nonfluency in English was associated with a decreased risk of death (OR, 0.4).

This study elucidates the risk factors for death in a group of homeless adults in Boston. Our results agree with previous findings that male sex, white race, and a history of substance abuse increase the risk of death in homeless individuals. These criteria, however, are of limited use in identifying a high-risk subgroup because such a large proportion of the homeless population in the United States meets this profile. More than three quarters of the homeless are men, about half are white, and a large number abuse alcohol or cocaine.3 Our study shows that a small subgroup of homeless individuals at extremely high risk of death can be identified by the presence of medical conditions such as HIV infection, renal disease, liver disease, and arrhythmias. These comorbidities are associated with a much greater risk of death than substance abuse alone.

Title	Risk factors for death in homeless adults in Boston
Author	SamaelET
Upvotes	3
Comments	1
Date	November 12, 2022 11:05 PM UTC (3 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/Male_Studies
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/Male_Studies/comments/ytl6r7/risk_factors_for_death_in_homeless_adults_in/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/Male_Studies/risk-factors-for-death-in-homeless-adults-in.1215715 https://theredarchive.com/post/1215715

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