Scot Med J
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In Scotland, deaths in drug users are known to be higher than in the rest of the UK and most of Europe. Reducing drug-related deaths is currently a national priority for the Scottish Government. This study aimed to present a description of the life histories of a group of injecting drug users who have recently died, with a view to highlighting areas for further research. The Edinburgh Addiction Cohort study recently carried out 432 follow-up interviews between the years 2005 and 2007. ⋯ Death occurred significantly earlier than in the general population or those living in deprived communities who did not use drugs. In conclusion, a clearer understanding of the life histories of problem drug users would be advantageous for health-care professionals and policy-makers. More qualitative research studies are needed to highlight areas which might require early intervention and also complement the existing secondary data studies.
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Fibromyalgia has always struggled to be taken seriously. The vague mixture of aches, pains, stiffness and fatigue with no clear clinical or investigational findings has led many to doubt its very existence. Evidence is accumulating, however, of demonstrable abnormalities of pain processing and psychosocial factors in fibromyalgia subjects. These may 'prove' its existence, but do they suggest it is rheumatological?