The Groin and People Who Inject Drugs-Management and Pitfalls

Jamaall Jackman; Graeme James Kevin Guthrie; Stuart Alistair Suttie

doi:10.31083/BJHM54135

The Groin and People Who Inject Drugs-Management and Pitfalls

Jamaall Jackman (Lead / Corresponding author)
, Graeme James Kevin Guthrie
, Stuart Alistair Suttie

Cardiovascular Research

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

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Abstract

Globally and within the United Kingdom, there has been an increase in the number of people who inject drugs (PWID). PWID are at increased risk of injection site and systemic infections, which include abscesses, necrotising soft tissue infections, arterial pseudoaneurysms and infective endocarditis. Initial diagnosis and treatment of groin-related complications can be complex and frequently require emergent surgical input while ensuring adequate antimicrobial therapy. The importance of utilising a patient-centred multidisciplinary approach to promote patient engagement, while using each healthcare interaction as an opportunity to mitigate further harm, should not be underestimated. This review will examine acute presentations in PWID and provide a practical approach to diagnosing and managing groin-related complications. It is essential to maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly recognise symptoms, and initiate specific management protocols.

Original language	English
Article number	54135
Pages (from-to)	54135
Journal	British Journal of Hospital Medicine (London, England : 2005)
Volume	87
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.31083/BJHM54135
Publication status	Published - 22 May 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Humans
Substance Abuse, Intravenous/complications
Groin
Aneurysm, False/therapy
Abscess/therapy
Soft Tissue Infections/therapy
Endocarditis/etiology
pseudoaneurysm
groin
thrombophlebitis
necrotising
endocarditis
injecting
drug users

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Medicine

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10.31083/BJHM54135Licence: CC BY

Final published version
Copyright: ©2026 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press. This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Final published version, 1.26 MBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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title = "The Groin and People Who Inject Drugs-Management and Pitfalls",

abstract = "Globally and within the United Kingdom, there has been an increase in the number of people who inject drugs (PWID). PWID are at increased risk of injection site and systemic infections, which include abscesses, necrotising soft tissue infections, arterial pseudoaneurysms and infective endocarditis. Initial diagnosis and treatment of groin-related complications can be complex and frequently require emergent surgical input while ensuring adequate antimicrobial therapy. The importance of utilising a patient-centred multidisciplinary approach to promote patient engagement, while using each healthcare interaction as an opportunity to mitigate further harm, should not be underestimated. This review will examine acute presentations in PWID and provide a practical approach to diagnosing and managing groin-related complications. It is essential to maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly recognise symptoms, and initiate specific management protocols.",

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author = "Jamaall Jackman and Guthrie, \{Graeme James Kevin\} and Suttie, \{Stuart Alistair\}",

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AU - Guthrie, Graeme James Kevin

AU - Suttie, Stuart Alistair

PY - 2026/5/22

Y1 - 2026/5/22

N2 - Globally and within the United Kingdom, there has been an increase in the number of people who inject drugs (PWID). PWID are at increased risk of injection site and systemic infections, which include abscesses, necrotising soft tissue infections, arterial pseudoaneurysms and infective endocarditis. Initial diagnosis and treatment of groin-related complications can be complex and frequently require emergent surgical input while ensuring adequate antimicrobial therapy. The importance of utilising a patient-centred multidisciplinary approach to promote patient engagement, while using each healthcare interaction as an opportunity to mitigate further harm, should not be underestimated. This review will examine acute presentations in PWID and provide a practical approach to diagnosing and managing groin-related complications. It is essential to maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly recognise symptoms, and initiate specific management protocols.

AB - Globally and within the United Kingdom, there has been an increase in the number of people who inject drugs (PWID). PWID are at increased risk of injection site and systemic infections, which include abscesses, necrotising soft tissue infections, arterial pseudoaneurysms and infective endocarditis. Initial diagnosis and treatment of groin-related complications can be complex and frequently require emergent surgical input while ensuring adequate antimicrobial therapy. The importance of utilising a patient-centred multidisciplinary approach to promote patient engagement, while using each healthcare interaction as an opportunity to mitigate further harm, should not be underestimated. This review will examine acute presentations in PWID and provide a practical approach to diagnosing and managing groin-related complications. It is essential to maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly recognise symptoms, and initiate specific management protocols.

KW - Humans

KW - Substance Abuse, Intravenous/complications

KW - Groin

KW - Aneurysm, False/therapy

KW - Abscess/therapy

KW - Soft Tissue Infections/therapy

KW - Endocarditis/etiology

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KW - groin

KW - thrombophlebitis

KW - necrotising

KW - endocarditis

KW - injecting

KW - drug users

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M3 - Review article

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SP - 54135

JO - British Journal of Hospital Medicine (London, England : 2005)

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IS - 5

M1 - 54135

ER -

The Groin and People Who Inject Drugs-Management and Pitfalls

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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Cite this