| Author/Editor | Škafar, Mojca; Grenc, Damjan; Koželj, Gordana; Brvar, Miran | |
| Title | Zastrupitve z gama-hidroksibutiratom v Ljubljani med letoma 2000 in 2014 | |
| Translated title | Gamma-hydroxybutirate poisoning in Ljubljana between the years 2000 and 2014 | |
| Type | članek | |
| Vol. and No. | Letnik 85, št. 3 | |
| Publication year | 2016 | |
| Volume | str. 152-159 | |
| ISSN | 1581-0224 - Zdravniški vestnik | |
| Language | eng | |
| Abstract | depression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical presentation and treatment in patients admitted to the University Medical Centre Ljubljana (UMCL). Methods: In this study we included all retrospectively reviewed cases of GHB-poisoning admitted to the UMCL between 2000 and 2014. We collected all data regarding the overdose circumstances, clinical presentation, treatment and toxicological analysis of blood and urine. Results: In the previous 15 years a total of 74 patients were admitted to the UMCL due to GHBpoisoning. The first case of GHB-poisoning was observed in 2002 and the numbers have largely increased since 2012. 86 % of all the patients ingested the drug intentionally, 82 % were male and the median age of admitted patients was 27 years. We recorded 6 mass GHB-poisonings in which 2%4 patients were admitted simultaneously. The most common presenting symptom of GHB-poisoning was a diminished level of consciousness (95 %), with 53 % being unresponsive to pain. Vomiting (30 %), bradycardia (28 %), hypotension (26 %), hypoventilation with respiratory insufficiency (19 %) and agitation upon awakening (31 %) were common as well. Concomitant alcohol and illicit drug use was recorded in 61 % of cases. 80 % of all the patients were treated symptomatically, 14 % were mechanically ventilated. Conclusions: The number of GHB-poisoned patients admitted to UMCL has increased in recent years. GHB-poisoned patients are predominantly male, often admitted in groups, who ingest the drug intentionally at parties during weekends. The most common presenting symptom of GHBpoisoning is unconsciousness. Treatment is symptomatic. | |
| Keywords | GHB droga zloraba nezavest zastoj dihanja GHB drug abuse unconsciousness respiratory depression |