Volume 5, Number 5—October 1999
Research
Abscesses due to Mycobacterium abscessus Linked to Injection of Unapproved Alternative Medication
Table
Persons who received presumed adrenal cortex extract (ACE*) and reported an abscess and persons who received ACE* but did not develop an abscess, United States, January 1, 1995, to August 18, 1996
Patient and treatment characteristics | Persons with abscesses (n = 87) | Persons without abscesses (n = 42) |
---|---|---|
Median age | 45 years | 46 years |
(Range) | (15-74) | (20-77) |
Sex | ||
Female | 81 (93%) | 35 (83%) |
Male | 6 (7%) | 7 (17%) |
Median dose | 1 cc | 1 cc |
(Range) | (1-2 cc) | (1-10 cc) |
Dose frequency | ||
Single | 35 (40%) | 11 (26%) |
Monthly | 25 (29%) | 10 (24%) |
Source of injection | ||
Provider | 77 (89%) | 34 (81%) |
Self/home | 9 (10%) | 8 (19%) |
Both | 1 (1%) | |
Primary route of administration | ||
Intramuscular | 86 (99%) | 36 (86%) |
Intravenous | 1 (1%) | 6 (14%) |
Intramuscular site | ||
Gluteal | 82 (95%) | 29 (69%) |
Other | 4 (5%) | 13 (31%) |
Indicationa | ||
Weight loss | 61 (70%) | 23 (55%) |
Fatigue | 11 (13%) | 9 (21%) |
Hypoadrenalism | 9 (10%) | 10 (24%) |
Other | 13 (15%) | 8 (19%) |
aSome persons received ACE* for more than one indication.
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