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Optimal dosing of opioid agonist therapy (OAT) is essential for treatment success. However, initiation and maintenance of OAT in hospital settings can be challenging given differing levels of opioid tolerance, withdrawal, and intoxication among patients. The objective of this study was to characterize the prevalence and factors associated with in-hospital patient perceived suboptimal OAT dosing among people who use illicit drugs (PWUD) in Vancouver, Canada. Data were derived from three prospective cohorts of PWUD in Vancouver, Canada. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine factors associated with patient perceived suboptimal in-hospital OAT dose. 273 study participants were prescribed OAT while in hospital: 83 (30.4%) participants perceived their OAT dose to be suboptimal. In a multivariable model, factors positively associated with a perceived suboptimal OAT dose included: homelessness (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.85; 95% CI: 1.53–5.28), daily stimulant use (AOR = 2.03; 95% CI: 1.14–3.63) and illicit drug use while in hospital (AOR = 2.33; 95% CI: 1.31–4.16). Almost one third of participants perceived receiving a suboptimal OAT dose while in hospital. These observed correlations indicate that a patient's perception of suboptimal OAT dosing in hospital may be more prevalent for patients who are homeless, report polysubstance use with stimulants and opioids and who obtain illicit drugs while hospitalized. While cautious prescribing of OAT in patients experiencing hospitalization is important, these findings demonstrate a high prevalence of and apparent risk factors for perceived suboptimal OAT dosing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People who use illicit drugs (PWUD) experience various adverse health outcomes leading to increased healthcare service utilization. PWUD are also a highly mobile population which poses challenges to healthcare delivery. The objective of this study was to identify migration patterns from the Downtown Eastside (DTES), an urban illicit drug scene in Vancouver and to estimate the impact of different migration patterns on two outcomes: a) emergency department (ED) visits and b) ED visits resulting in inpatient admission among PWUD. Three prospective cohorts of PWUD in Vancouver were linked with regional ED data. We defined the optimal number of trajectory groups that best represented distinct patterns of migration from Vancouver's DTES using a latent class growth analysis. Then, generalized estimating equations were used to estimate the effect of migration patterns on the two ED outcomes. Four distinct migration trajectory patterns were identified among the 1210 included participants: PWUD who consistently lived in the DTES, those who migrated out of DTES early, those who migrated out of DTES late, and those who frequently revisited the DTES. Participants who frequently revisited the DTES had higher odds of an ED visit (adjusted odds ratio = 1.62; 95% confidence interval: 1.28–2.06). There was no significant association between migration patterns and inpatient admission. We found that PWUD who frequently revisited the DTES were more likely to have utilized the ED, suggesting that there may be a subgroup of PWUD who are at increased risk of experiencing negative health outcomes. Supplemental data for this article is available online at 10.1080/10826084.2021.1958849 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The volatile flavour profiles of Canadian-grown faba beans (Vicia faba var. minor) were evaluated by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Two low- and high-tannin varieties were chosen, each in the form of dehulled and whole seed flours (DLT, DHT, WLT, and WHT, respectively). Pre-incubation time, fibre-extraction time, extraction temperature, and sample amount were evaluated during method optimization. The volatiles identified were classified into nine groups: aromatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, ketones, organic acids, esters, and others. Significant differences between dehulled and whole samples were found. Volatiles derived from amino acids were consistently observed in the volatile profile of all types. Despite the low lipid content of faba bean, significant amounts of volatiles normally associated with unsaturated fatty acids were present. HS-SPME/GC-MS proved to be a rapid, effective, and reproducible method (typical RSD < 5%) suitable for routine evaluation of faba bean volatile flavours. Unlabelled Image • Volatile flavour profiles of faba bean flours were obtained by HS-SPME GC/MS. • Headspace volatiles were identified by both electron- and chemical-ionization MS. • Volatiles typical of amino acid biodegradation are present in abundance. • The volatile profile is affected by seed dehulling and storage time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]