Liquid ecstasy intoxication: clinical features of 505 consecutive emergency department patients.
Emerg Med J
; 28(6): 462-6, 2011 Jun.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21602168
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
To describe the epidemiological profile and clinical manifestations of liquid ecstasy (GHB) poisonings.METHODS:
All cases of GHB poisoning or overdose admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) of the Hospital Clinic (Barcelona) between 2000 and 2007 were recorded.RESULTS:
A total of 505 patients (mean age 24.7 years, 68% men) were included. Most patients were brought to the hospital by ambulance (98%), during the weekend (89%) and during the early morning (75%). Symptoms began in a public place in 97%. Reduced consciousness was the most important clinical manifestation 72% of patients had a Glasgow Coma Score of ≤ 12. 76% of patients had consumed other drugs ethanol (64%), amphetamines and derivates (30%), cocaine (28%), ketamine (11%), cannabis (9%) and others (5%). Treatment was required in 26% of cases and an antidote was administered in 35 cases with no response. There were no deaths. The combined GHB group had a longer time to complete recovery of consciousness (71 ± 40 vs 59 ± 40 min, p < 0.001) and a higher percentage of patients with severely reduced consciousness at ED arrival (54% vs 37%, p = 0.01), need for treatment (29% vs 16%, p < 0.01) and need for mechanical ventilation (3% vs 0%, p < 0.05) compared with the pure GHB group.CONCLUSIONS:
GHB intoxication leading to reduced consciousness is a frequent reason for ED admission, above all in young people and in the early morning at the weekend. Symptoms are more severe in patients who have taken GHB in combination with other substances of abuse.
Texto completo:
1
Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Drogas Ilícitas
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N-Metil-3,4-metilenodioxianfetamina
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Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias
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Servicio de Urgencia en Hospital
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Etiology_studies
/
Incidence_studies
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Observational_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Female
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Humans
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Male
País/Región como asunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Emerg Med J
Asunto de la revista:
MEDICINA DE EMERGENCIA
Año:
2011
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
España