A 4-Year Retrospective Analysis of Patients Presenting at the Emergency Department with Synthetic Cannabinoid Intoxication in Turkey
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, cilt.40, sa.5, ss.464-467, 2020 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 40 Sayı: 5
- Basım Tarihi: 2020
- Doi Numarası: 10.1097/jcp.0000000000001275
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Veterinary Science Database
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.464-467
- Anahtar Kelimeler: synthetic cannabinoid, intoxication, emergency medicine
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Purpose/Background The number of patients with acute synthetic cannabinoid intoxication (SCI) has increased in recent years although the prohibition of its legal sale and use in Turkey despite other countries allowing to some extent sale and use. The reported clinical findings of acute SCI are similar to the symptoms of several diseases. The first case of acute SCI seen in our hospital was in 2014. The aim of this study was to share the data of synthetic cannabinoid use in a research hospital in Turkey and to contribute the epidemiologic data globally betwen 2014 and 2017. Methods/Procedures A retrospective evaluation was made of patients who presented at emergency department (ED) because of SCI between January 2014 and December 2017. The initial diagnosis of the patients was done either via their self-report or clinician's clinical observation (family history with hallucination, lethargy, convulsions, dizziness, etc.). Totally, 352 patients were included to the study whose cannabioid use was proven with their urine drug analysis. Findings/Results Men were predominantly high (93.8%). Nearly all patients (93.5%) were followed up and discharged in 24 hours. Among them, 21 (5.9%) patients were admitted for hospitalization, and mortality was seen in 2 (0.6%). The mean number of previous presentations at ED with a similar diagnosis was 8.6 ± 10.31. Implications/Conclusions Great care must be taken in respect of complications related to SCI, which can even result in death. Patients have a tendency to not disclose the substance they have taken because it is illegal. Patients presenting at ED with recurrent symptoms must be referred to relevant legal authorities. For patients presenting with different clinical effects, SCI must be considered.