Objectives

Inhalants are substances with underestimated abuse potential associated with cardiac problems, dizziness, seizures, and decreased level of consciousness. Inhalants are commonly used by the LGB population, who are vulnerable to their harms. US epidemiologic inhalants data are scarce. The aims of this study are to: i) investigate associations between inhalant use and sexual identity groups; ii) examine associations with use of other drugs among lesbian/gays who use inhalants.

Methods

Data came from the 2015–2018 NSDUH (n = 168,560). Participants ages 18 or older were asked if they had used any inhalants in their lifetime and past-year. We investigated the associations between inhalant use with sexual identity categories heterosexual, lesbian/gay, and bisexual using logistic regression models with complex survey design.

Results

Total prevalences of lifetime and past-year use of inhalants were 9.4% and 0.5%, respectively. Lesbian/gay population (L/G) and bisexuals (B) reported higher odds of lifetime (L/G: aOR = 3.71, 95%CI = [3.19,4.30], B: aOR = 1.82, 95%CI = [1.64,2.03) and past-year (L/G: aOR = 11.57, 95%CI = [8.95,14.96], B: aOR = 2.81, 95%CI = [2.02,3.92]) inhalant use compared to heterosexuals. Among L/G, men had higher odds of lifetime (aOR = 4.11, 95%CI = [3.06,5.52]) and past-year (aOR = 15.67, 95%CI = [7.27,33.76]) inhalant use versus women. Use of marijuana (aOR = 2.76, 95%CI = [1.48,5.16]), other illegal drugs (aOR = 2.70, 95%CI = [1.60,4.56]), and non-medical use of psychotherapeutics (aOR = 2.67, 95%CI = 1.77,4.05) were associated with past-year use of inhalants among L/G.

Conclusion

LGB population is at elevated risk of inhalant use and of concurrent use with other drugs. Gay men had significantly higher odds of inhalant use compared to lesbians and bisexuals. Informative and in-site harm reduction measures are warranted to prevent harms from inhalant use.

中文翻译：

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2015-2018 年美国性少数群体使用吸入剂的差异

 目标

吸入剂是一种滥用可能性被低估的物质，与心脏问题、头晕、癫痫发作和意识水平下降有关。吸入剂常被 LGB 人群使用，他们很容易受到吸入剂的伤害。美国吸入剂流行病学数据很少。本研究的目的是： i) 调查吸入剂使用与性别认同群体之间的关联； ii) 检查使用吸入剂的男女同性恋者与使用其他药物的关联。

 方法

数据来自 2015-2018 年 NSDUH（n = 168,560）。 18 岁或以上的参与者被问及他们一生中和过去一年是否使用过任何吸入剂。我们使用逻辑回归模型和复杂的调查设计，研究了吸入剂使用与性别认同类别异性恋、女同性恋/男同性恋和双性恋之间的关联。

 结果

终生和过去一年使用吸入剂的总流行率分别为 9.4% 和 0.5%。女同性恋/男同性恋群体 (L/G) 和双性恋者 (B) 报告的终生几率较高（L/G：aOR = 3.71，95%CI = [3.19,4.30]，B：aOR = 1.82，95%CI = [1.64 ,2.03) 和去年 (L/G: aOR = 11.57, 95%CI = [8.95,14.96], B: aOR = 2.81, 95%CI = [2.02,3.92]) 与异性恋者相比吸入剂的使用。在 L/G 中，与女性相比，男性终生（aOR = 4.11，95%CI = [3.06,5.52]）和过去一年（aOR = 15.67，95%CI = [7.27,33.76]）吸入使用的几率更高。使用大麻（aOR = 2.76，95%CI = [1.48,5.16]）、其他非法药物（aOR = 2.70，95%CI = [1.60,4.56]）以及非医疗用途的心理治疗药物（aOR = 2.67， 95%CI = 1.77,4.05）与 L/G 中过去一年使用吸入剂有关。

 结论

LGB 人群吸入使用以及与其他药物同时使用的风险较高。与女同性恋和双性恋者相比，男同性恋者使用吸入剂的几率明显更高。需要采取信息丰富的现场减害措施来防止吸入使用造成的伤害。