Clinical toxicology and management of intoxications with synthetic cathinones ("bath salts").

Synthetic cathinones are synthetic derivatives of the natural cathinone, one of the psychoactive compounds present in Catha edulis (khat). There are at least 12 different types of synthetic cathinones, with mephedrone and 3,4-methylendioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) being the most commonly used by the purchasers. The legal control of these substances is especially difficult because when a specific compound is banned, a new slightly modified chemical variant is introduced into the market. It has been described that patients after taking synthetic cathinones may show signs and symptoms of the sympathicomimetic toxidrome, including agitation, psychosis, tachycardia, hypertension, and seizures. Furthermore, some cases of deaths related to their consumption have also been reported. Nowadays, there is no established treatment protocol for the clinical management of these intoxications. Because of this, we have developed some recommendations that may be useful to determine the treatment of these patients.

Neurotoxicidad asociada a oxaliplatino en la práctica clínica asistencial / Oxaliplatin-associated neurotoxicity in clinical practice

Objetivos: Determinar la presencia de neurotoxicidad asociada a oxaliplatino en la práctica clínica asistencial, la gravedad de la misma y el manejo clínico relacionado con este efecto adverso. Método Estudio observacional retrospectivo que incluyó pacientes diagnosticados de cáncer colorrectal y que iniciaron un esquema de quimioterapia basada en oxaliplatino durante el año 2008 en un hospital de segundo nivel. Los datos se obtuvieron del programa de prescripción de Onco-Hematología propio del hospital y de las historias clínicas informatizadas. Se recogieron variables relacionadas con las características clínicas de los pacientes, con el tratamiento antineoplásico, con la neurotoxicidad asociada a oxaliplatino, así como con su manejo clínico. Resultados Se incluyó un total de 64 pacientes. La presencia de neurotoxicidad se situó en un 65,6%, presentándose mayoritariamente de forma leve o moderada. Alrededor de una tercera parte de los pacientes que presentaron este efecto adverso requirió un cambio en la prescripción de oxaliplatino. Se determinó una relación estadísticamente significativa (p=0,0004) entre dosis acumuladas de oxaliplatino y presencia de toxicidad neurológica. Conclusiones La presencia de neurotoxicidad asociada a oxaliplatino y su distribución en función de su gravedad, es similar a la descrita en literatura médica. El número de pacientes que requiere un cambio en la prescripción de oxaliplatino podría justificar la necesidad de diseñar estudios que valoren las consecuencias clínicas asociadas a estas modificaciones. Consideramos que es necesario el desarrollo de estrategias neuroprotectoras efectivas que garanticen la seguridad y calidad de vida de estos pacientes (AU)

Objectives: To evaluate the presence and severity of oxaliplatin-associated neurotoxicity inclinical practice and the clinical management of this adverse side effect. Method: Observational retrospective study including patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer that started an oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy regimen during 2008 at a secondary hospital. Data were obtained from an onco-haematological prescription programme at the hospital and from digital clinical histories. We compiled variables related to the clinical characteristics of the patients, antineoplastic treatment, neurotoxicity associated with oxaliplatin, and clinical management of this issue. Results: Our study included a total of 64 patients. Neurotoxicity was recorded in 65.6% of cases, usually in mild or moderate forms. In approximately one third of patients who developed this adverse effect, the oxaliplatin prescription had to be modified. We observed a statistically significant relationship between cumulative oxaliplatin doses and the presence of neurological toxicity (P=.0004).Conclusions: The presence of oxaliplatin-associated neurotoxicity and its distribution based onits severity was similar to rates published in the literature. The number of patients requiring a change in the oxaliplatin prescription could justify the need for studies that assess the clinical consequences of these modifications. We believe that effective strategies for neurological protection need to be developed in order to guarantee the safety and quality of life in these patients (AU)

[Oxaliplatin-associated neurotoxicity in clinical practice]. / Neurotoxicidad asociada a oxaliplatino en la práctica clínica asistencial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the presence and severity of oxaliplatin-associated neurotoxicity in clinical practice and the clinical management of this adverse side effect. METHOD: Observational retrospective study including patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer that started an oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy regimen during 2008 at a secondary hospital. Data were obtained from an onco-haematological prescription programme at the hospital and from digital clinical histories. We compiled variables related to the clinical characteristics of the patients, antineoplastic treatment, neurotoxicity associated with oxaliplatin, and clinical management of this issue. RESULTS: Our study included a total of 64 patients. Neurotoxicity was recorded in 65.6% of cases, usually in mild or moderate forms. In approximately one third of patients who developed this adverse effect, the oxaliplatin prescription had to be modified. We observed a statistically significant relationship between cumulative oxaliplatin doses and the presence of neurological toxicity (P=.0004). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of oxaliplatin-associated neurotoxicity and its distribution based on its severity was similar to rates published in the literature. The number of patients requiring a change in the oxaliplatin prescription could justify the need for studies that assess the clinical consequences of these modifications. We believe that effective strategies for neurological protection need to be developed in order to guarantee the safety and quality of life in these patients.