Rising opioid-associated skin and soft tissue infections and the emerging threat of xylazine: A national analysis

Background

Necrotizing and non-necrotizing skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) are a common and growing cause of hospitalization in individuals who use opioids. This study characterizes the changing epidemiology of opioid-associated SSTI in the United States (US).

Methods

The National Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2012–2021, was queried with International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes to identify SSTI, opioid use or use disorder, and relevant interventions. Comorbidities and demographics were evaluated. Discharge weights were applied to generate national estimates. Statistical analysis included Poisson regression testing.

Results

Of 12,762,635 weighted SSTI encounters, 20.8 % had a record of opioid use. Incidence of both population-adjusted opioid-associated SSTI (IRR 1.11; 95 % CI: 1.09–1.12; p < 0.01) and debridement of such SSTI (IRR 1.07; 95 % CI:1.00–1.01; p < 0.01) increased over the study period. Average annual population-adjusted opioid-associated SSTI incidence was highest in the New England (119 per 100,000 residents) and Middle Atlantic (108 per 100,000 residents) US Census Divisions, and residence in these divisions, as well as the Mountain and Pacific divisions, increased SSTI incidence, relative to the South Atlantic division (p < 0.01). Despite these data being consistent with possible involvement of xylazine, an increasingly frequent adulterant of illicit opioids in the US (especially in the Northeast), ICD-10 codes associated with xylazine use were not significantly associated with population-adjusted, opioid-associated SSTI incidence (p = 0.66).

Conclusions

SSTI incidence and severity increased among individuals who use opioids between 2012 and 2021. Notable demographic variation and concentrated incidence in the Northeast US imply involvement of new factors, including xylazine.