[Detainees in police custody in Seine-Saint-Denis (France): Medical data and high-risk situations, a descriptive study].

OBJECTIVES

The number of detainees held in police custody in France increased up to 792,000 yearly in 2009. Medical examination is a right for every detainee. Our objective was to assess medical characteristics and addictive behaviours of arrestees.

METHODS

In this study, we systematically evaluated arrestees detained in police custody in Seine-Saint-Denis, a suburban area near Paris over one year (June 1, 2010-May 31, 2011).

RESULTS

A total of 22,379 medical examinations were performed. Males accounted for 94% of detainees. Median age was 23 (range: 13-78). In 2968 of 18,466 cases (16%), the detainee had at least one chronic somatic disease. Asthma, diabetes, and arterial hypertension were the most commonly encountered. A history of psychiatric disorder was reported in 819 of 16,697 cases (5%). Daily alcohol consumption was reported by 14% of detainees and 77% smoked tobacco. Drug use was reported by 40% of detainees, cannabis in most cases (38%), infrequently cocaine or crack (4%) or heroine (1%). Assaults were reported by 20% of detainees, at the time of arrest in most cases (11%).

PERSPECTIVES

The present study showed the high frequency of addictive behaviours and reported assaults or traumatic injuries in arrestees. Attending physicians should pay particular attention to addictive disorders and recent traumatic lesions in arrestees, both for immediate care and for prevention.