Study of the prevalence of some substances of abuse among some injured patients admitted to tanta university emergency hospital

ABSTRACT

Trauma remains the leading cause of death among young adults, excessive alcohol and drug consumption are not only significant contributors to this epidemic, but are also independent predictors of injury recidivism [repeated trauma]. In the present study one hundred injured patients with different types of injuries were randomly selected from Tanta University Emergency Hospital. Trauma sheet was done for every patient. Ten ml urine was obtained from each patient at the time of admission and before receiving any kind of treatment whether medical or surgical. Then, toxicological screening for some common substances of abuse [cannabinoids, benzodiazepines, opiates amphetamines and barbiturates] were done for every patient by using multi drug panel enzyme immunoassay [EIA] test. Toxicological screening of urine samples of the studied injured patients for drug of abuse revealed that the overall prevalence of positive screen was 50% of the total injured patients. Single substance abuse was reported in 52% of the positive cases for substance of abuse and poly-substances abuse incidence was 48%. Cannabinoids were the most prevalent substance of abuse and was found in 32% of the patients. Benzodiazepines were present in 28% of the injured patients followed by barbiturates 16%, opiates 8% and lastly amphetamines 2%. The majority of drug abusers had accidental and homicidal injuries. Road traffic accidents[34%] followed by violence [28%] are the main causes of injury among studied patients. There was a high prevalence of repeated injury and previous admissions for traumatic injuries among injured patients who were positive for substances of abuse