2015
Prevalence and experience of chronic pain in suburban drug injectors
Heimer R, Zhan W, Grau LE. Prevalence and experience of chronic pain in suburban drug injectors. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2015, 151: 92-100. PMID: 25841984, PMCID: PMC4447527, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.03.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-medical opioid useChronic painHepatitis BOpioid useSerological testingDrug injectorsCo-occurring chronic painCurrent chronic painInjection drug useInjection drug usersCross-sectional studyInfectious disease treatmentSignificant complicationsSuccessful treatmentMonths durationOpioid overdosePharmaceutical opioidsDrug treatmentStudy populationPainDrug usersPsychological statusDrug useOlder agePast month
2014
Factors associated with hepatitis B vaccine series completion in a randomized trial for injection drug users reached through syringe exchange programs in three US cities
Bowman S, Grau LE, Singer M, Scott G, Heimer R. Factors associated with hepatitis B vaccine series completion in a randomized trial for injection drug users reached through syringe exchange programs in three US cities. BMC Public Health 2014, 14: 820. PMID: 25107530, PMCID: PMC4138371, DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-820.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection drug usersSyringe exchange programsThree-dose vaccine seriesVaccine seriesVaccination ratesDrug usersHealth interventionsStandard HBV vaccination scheduleBackgroundHepatitis B virusHBV vaccination scheduleVaccine series completionVaccine-preventable infectionsSelf-rated health scoresPublic health interventionsDeterminants of completionHepatitis vaccinationVaccine scheduleVaccination schedulePersonal health statusLast visitLongstanding recommendationsPreventable infectionsB virusHealth beliefsHealth scores
2013
Seroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus, and HCV among injection drug users in Connecticut: understanding infection and coinfection risks in a nonurban population.
Akselrod H, Grau LE, Barbour R, Heimer R. Seroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus, and HCV among injection drug users in Connecticut: understanding infection and coinfection risks in a nonurban population. American Journal Of Public Health 2013, 104: 1713-21. PMID: 24134382, PMCID: PMC3990658, DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2013.301357.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection drug usersHepatitis B virusDrug use durationSubstance abuse treatmentB virusRisk factorsCriminal justice involvementDrug usersAbuse treatmentAdult injection drug usersSeroprevalence of HIVInjection drug usePotential risk factorsSignificant predictorsUse durationMultiple viral infectionsEffective harm reduction strategiesHarm reduction strategiesJustice involvementHCV seroprevalenceInjection useInterim analysisViral infectionDrug useSerological tests
2011
Chronic pain, Addiction severity, and misuse of opioids in Cumberland County, Maine
Heimer R, Dasgupta N, Irwin KS, Kinzly M, Harvey AP, Givens A, Grau LE. Chronic pain, Addiction severity, and misuse of opioids in Cumberland County, Maine. Addictive Behaviors 2011, 37: 346-349. PMID: 22138379, DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2011.11.017.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAddiction Severity IndexBrief Pain InventoryChronic painOpioid abuseBPI scoresMisuse of opioidsCommon co-occurring conditionsSubstance abuse treatment programsCommunity-based sampleCo-occurring conditionsSubstance abuse treatmentStreet-recruited sampleOrder of onsetRespondent-driven samplingPain InventoryPain managementIllicit opioidsOpioid misuseRegular physicianOpioid abusersDaily livingPainDrug misusePrior monthTreatment program
2010
Epidemiologic trends and geographic patterns of fatal opioid intoxications in Connecticut, USA: 1997–2007
Green TC, Grau LE, Carver HW, Kinzly M, Heimer R. Epidemiologic trends and geographic patterns of fatal opioid intoxications in Connecticut, USA: 1997–2007. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2010, 115: 221-228. PMID: 21131140, PMCID: PMC3095753, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.11.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrescription opioidsOpioid typeIntoxication deathsRisk factorsDrug intoxication deathsHeroin-related deathsOpioid-related deathsFatal opioid overdoseChief Medical ExaminerOpioid intoxicationOpioid deathsDrug poisoningInjury deathsEpidemiologic trendsOpioid overdoseOpioidsDeath locationPrevention effortsDeathMedical examinersRegression analysisSignificant increasePublic healthEpidemiologyHeroinDrug Network Characteristics and HIV Risk Among Injection Drug Users in Russia: The roles of Trust, Size, and Stability
Cepeda JA, Odinokova VA, Heimer R, Grau LE, Lyubimova A, Safiullina L, Levina OS, Niccolai LM. Drug Network Characteristics and HIV Risk Among Injection Drug Users in Russia: The roles of Trust, Size, and Stability. AIDS And Behavior 2010, 15: 1003-1010. PMID: 20872063, PMCID: PMC3112286, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-010-9816-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV Disclosure, Condom Use, and Awareness of HIV Infection Among HIV-Positive, Heterosexual Drug Injectors in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
Grau LE, White E, Niccolai LM, Toussova OV, Verevochkin SV, Kozlov AP, Heimer R. HIV Disclosure, Condom Use, and Awareness of HIV Infection Among HIV-Positive, Heterosexual Drug Injectors in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation. AIDS And Behavior 2010, 15: 45-57. PMID: 20700645, PMCID: PMC3023022, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-010-9775-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPrevalence and predictors of transitions to and away from syringe exchange use over time in 3 US cities with varied syringe dispensing policies
Green TC, Bluthenthal RN, Singer M, Beletsky L, Grau LE, Marshall P, Heimer R. Prevalence and predictors of transitions to and away from syringe exchange use over time in 3 US cities with varied syringe dispensing policies. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2010, 111: 74-81. PMID: 20537814, PMCID: PMC3087197, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.03.022.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSyringe exchange programsSEP usersSEP useThree-City cohort studyPolicy change analysisSyringe exchange usePredictors of transitionSecondary syringe exchangePolice contactCohort studyFemale sexHIV riskSyringe availabilityExchange useSyringe exchangeDrug usersDrug paraphernaliaHealth interventionsUS citiesLatino ethnicityIDUsPolicyContextual factorsMultinomial regressionTypology
2007
Illicit Use of Opioids: Is OxyContin® a “Gateway Drug”?
Grau LE, Dasgupta N, Harvey A, Irwin K, Givens A, Kinzly M, Heimer R. Illicit Use of Opioids: Is OxyContin® a “Gateway Drug”? American Journal On Addictions 2007, 16: 166-173. PMID: 17612819, DOI: 10.1080/10550490701375293.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2006
Assessment of HIV Testing of Urban Injection Drug Users: Implications for Expansion of HIV Testing and Prevention Efforts
Heimer R, Grau LE, Curtin E, Khoshnood K, Singer M. Assessment of HIV Testing of Urban Injection Drug Users: Implications for Expansion of HIV Testing and Prevention Efforts. American Journal Of Public Health 2006, 97: 110-116. PMID: 17138916, PMCID: PMC1716244, DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2005.078105.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAIDS SerodiagnosisBlood-Borne PathogensDiagnostic ServicesEquipment ContaminationFemaleHealth EducationHIV SeropositivityHIV SeroprevalenceHumansMaleMiddle AgedNeedle-Exchange ProgramsProgram EvaluationPublic Health AdministrationSubstance Abuse, IntravenousSyringesUnited StatesUrban Health ServicesConceptsUrban injection drug usersInjection drug usersHIV testingDrug usersUndetected infectionsHIV prevention strategiesExtent of HIVTime-location samplingSecondary preventionDrug treatmentSyringe exchangeHIVPrevention effortsCurrent optionsInfectionChain referralVast majorityTestingReferralPreventionWomen
2004
Sterile syringe access conditions and variations in HIV risk among drug injectors in three cities
Bluthenthal RN, Malik MR, Grau LE, Singer M, Marshall P, Heimer R, Team T. Sterile syringe access conditions and variations in HIV risk among drug injectors in three cities. Addiction 2004, 99: 1136-1146. PMID: 15317634, DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2004.00694.x.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2002
Expanding harm reduction services through a wound and abscess clinic.
Grau LE, Arevalo S, Catchpool C, Heimer R. Expanding harm reduction services through a wound and abscess clinic. American Journal Of Public Health 2002, 92: 1915-7. PMID: 12453808, PMCID: PMC1447352, DOI: 10.2105/ajph.92.12.1915.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAbscessAdultAgedAttitude of Health PersonnelCommunity NetworksFemaleHarm ReductionHIV InfectionsHumansMaleMiddle AgedNeedle-Exchange ProgramsPatient Education as TopicPreventive Health ServicesProgram EvaluationSan FranciscoSexual BehaviorSoft Tissue InfectionsSubstance Abuse, IntravenousWound Infection