Epidemiol Health.  2017;39:e2017050. 10.4178/epih.e2017050.

Clinical and laboratory findings of rhabdomyolysis in opioid overdose patients in the intensive care unit of a poisoning center in 2014 in Iran

• Babak K
• Mohammad A
• Mazaher G
• Samaneh A
• Fatemeh T

• KMID: 2406654
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2017050

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and demographic characteristics and some laboratory findings of hospitalized patients with acute opioid toxicity and rhabdomyolysis.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study investigated 354 patients hospitalized at Baharloo Hospital in Tehran in 2014 with acute illicit drug toxicity. Data were collected using an investigator-made checklist. The collected data (such as mortality rate, demographic data, and renal function tests, as well as serum biochemical findings) were analyzed by descriptive statistics and the chi-square test.
RESULTS
A total of 354 patients were admitted to the hospital in 2014 with acute illicit drug toxicity, including 291 males and 63 females. The total number of patients with rhabdomyolysis was 76 (21.5% of the total), of whom 69 (90.8%) were male and 7 (9.2%) were female. Most cases of rhabdomyolysis were associated with methadone abuse, followed by opium abuse. Rhabdomyolysis was most common in those 20-29 and 30-39 years old, with methadone and opium the most commonly abused illicit drugs. The mean blood urea level was 3.8±1.0 mg/dL, and the mean serum potassium and sodium levels were 3.8±0.3 mg/dL and 140.4±4.0 mg/dL, respectively. Five patients, all of whom were male, passed away due to severe renal failure (6.5%).
CONCLUSIONS
Toxicity caused by opioids is associated with clinical complications and laboratory disorders, such as electrolyte disorders, which can lead to lethal or life-threatening results in some cases. Abnormal laboratory test findings should be identified in patients with opioid toxicity in order to initiate efficient treatment.

Keyword

Laboratory findings; Toxicity; Opioid; Rhabdomyolysis

MeSH Terms

Analgesics, Opioid
Checklist
Critical Care*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
Female
Humans
Intensive Care Units*
Iran*
Male
Methadone
Mortality
Opium
Poisoning*
Potassium
Renal Insufficiency
Rhabdomyolysis*
Sodium
Street Drugs
Urea
Analgesics, Opioid
Methadone
Opium
Potassium
Sodium
Street Drugs
Urea