Natl Med J India
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Background Injecting drug use (IDU) is associated with several cardiometabolic risks. We aimed to measure the independent effects of IDU behaviour and related factors on serum lipid profile among people who inject drugs (PWIDs). Methods We did a longitudinal study with six follow-up measurements at an interval of 2 months among 104 PWIDs from 11 selected hotspots under two blocks in West Bengal, India. ⋯ Adjusted for age, BMI, FBS and other addiction-related variables, models showed that longer duration of drug use (>3 years) resulted in higher levels of TG, higher TC-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio and dyslipidaemia. Tobacco use and high FBS level were also risk factors for dyslipidaemia. Conclusions Higher duration of IDU, tobacco use and higher FBS were associated with deranged lipid profile among PWIDs.