Drug use contributed to death

Apr 11 2008 by Allison Dickinson, Chester Chronicle

A DRUG addict died after losing so much weight he could not fight off infection, an inquest heard.

Peter Olney, 39, was being prescribed methadone as part of his treatment for heroin addiction but he continued using heroin and refused to eat because of pains in his stomach.

His weight plummeted to a Body Mass Index (BMI) of just 13. The normal range for a healthy weight would be 20-25.

He was referred to the Countess of Chester Hospital for treatment in May 2007 but insisted on leaving without being seen.

He was admitted again on June 8, 2007.

Dr Terence Wardle, a consultant physician at the Countess, was among those giving evidence. He said: “Peter suffered severe complications due to his drug addiction.

“On his admission to hospital he was extremely nutritionally depleted with a 12 month history of stomach pain and was severely emaciated.”

Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg heard how Mr Olney, of Stamford Road, Blacon, was at risk of infections because his immune system was compromised due to his low weight. He was, therefore, unable to cope when he contracted pneumonia and C-Difficile while in hospital.

Despite making good progress in the first five days, Mr Olney developed pneumonia at least two weeks prior to his death, and C-Difficile was also detected on June 20.

A central line, delivering vital fluids, was inserted on June 22 but he suffered a cardiac arrest later that day and doctors were unable to resuscitate him.

A post mortem examination revealed colitis, an inflammation of the colon, and damage to his large intestine, liver and bowel.

Verdict: Natural causes to which intravenous drug use contributed.