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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Relationship between cocaine and cocaethylene blood concentration with the severity of clinical manifestations

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Author(s):
Zucoloto, Alexandre D. [1, 2] ; Eller, Sarah [3] ; de Oliveira, Tiago F. [3] ; Wagner, Gabriela A. [4] ; Fruchtengarten, Ligia V. G. [2] ; de Oliveira, Carolina D. R. [2] ; Yonamine, Mauricio [1]
Total Authors: 7
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Pharmaceut Sci, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
[2] Poison Control Ctr Sao Paulo, BR-04330020 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
[3] Fed Univ Hlth Sci Porto Alegre, Pharmacosci Dept, BR-90050170 Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil
[4] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Prevent Med, BR-04023062 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE; v. 50, p. 404-408, DEC 2021.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

Background: Poisonings resulting from the abuse of drugs currently represent a serious problem for public health. Among the main agents involved, cocaine stands out. It became one of the most abused drugs around the world, and one of the main reasons for visits to the emergency department due to the use of illicit substances. The use of cocaine is primarily in combination with alcoholic beverages. There are few studies that correlate cocaine blood concentration and the severity of clinical manifestations in patients evaluated at Emergency Department. The aim of the present study was to verify the possible relationship between the blood concentration of cocaine and cocaethylene (product of the interaction of cocaine with ethanol) with the severity of the clinical manifestations presented by patients with cocaine intoxication. Methods: Blood levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the severity of clinical manifestations was assessed using the Stimulant Intoxication Score (SIS). To establish this relationship, Pearson's chi-square statistical test (x(2)) was used for categorical variables and Student's t for continuous variables, with statistical significance of 5% (p < 0.05). Results: Of the 81 patients included in the study, 77.8% were men with a mean age of 32.5 years +/- 8.5 and mean of SIS 3.4 +/- 2.5. Considering the toxicological analysis results, 24.7% of the blood samples were positive. The mean of cocaine and cocaethylene concentrations were 0.34 mu g/mL = 0.45 and 038 mu g/mL +/- 034, respectively. The blood concentration of cocaine and cocaethylene has not been shown to be useful information for the treatment and prognosis of patients, but blood levels of these substances at the time of treatment, regardless of their concentration, may be an indicator of severity, showing that any concentrations of these substances should be considered as potentially toxic. Conclusion: The application of the SE score proved to be an important alternative capable of predicting the severity of the patients due to cocaine intoxication in a fast and simplified way. (C) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 14/05877-0 - Application of multivariate statistical techniques for the mapping of the cases of intoxication attended in poison control center in São Paulo City
Grantee:Sarah Carobini Werner de Souza Eller Franco de Oliveira
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate