Clinical effect of ethanol co-use in patients with acute drug toxicity involving the use of central nervous system depressant recreational drugs

Background and importance Patients who use recreational drugs frequently co-ingest ethanol, which is considered a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. The clinical relevance of this in acute toxicity involving other CNS depressants is not well described. Objective To assess the clinical impact of ethanol co-use in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute toxicity involving the use of CNS depressant drugs. Design, settings and participants A retrospective multicentre study using data from the Euro-DEN Plus database from January 2014 to December 2019. Outcomes measure and analysis Comparison of epidemiologic and clinical characteristics, ED and hospital management of patients with CNS depressant intoxication with or without ethanol co-use. Main results Although 7644 (17.5%) of the 43ā€‰633 presentations were included, ethanol was co-ingested in 3811 (49.9%). In total 53.3% required medical treatment, 14 patients died. Patients with ethanol co-use more frequently presented with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ā‰¤8 (34.1% vs. 22.4%; Pā€‰
Source: European Journal of Emergency Medicine - Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research