Risk Factors Associated with Pyogenic Spinal Infections among Intravenous Drug Users and Nonusers.

In our study population, there is a high incidence of intravenous drug abuse (IVDA), psychiatric disease, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Analysis shows a trend of two distinct patient populations. Patients without a history of IVDA were significantly older than those with IVDA and significantly more likely to have medical comorbidities including hyperlipidemia, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and malignancy than those with IVDA history. Patients with IVDA were younger with significantly higher rates of smoking and psychiatric disorders. IVDA patients struggled to receive continued psychiatric/addiction treatment after discharge, an area for significant improvement. Due to a small sample size and single urban institution setting, this study may be underpowered to demonstrate differences in healthcare resource consumption.