OBJECTIVE: Road injuries are the leading injury-related cause of death among people aged 15-44. A clear dose-effect relationship has been demonstrated for drug and alcohol use and road traffic accidents. The objective of our study was to estimate the prevalence of drug and/or alcohol use in subjects admitted for road traffic accidents to an Emergency Department. METHODS: In this study, conducted between January and April 2006, 100 patients of both sexes (age 18-65) examined after road traffic accidents were consecutively enrolled. A commercial rapid urine test was used to detect drugs by the Emergency Department staff The alcohol concentration was determined from a blood sample at the central laboratory. RESULTS: Most of the patients were drivers under 35 years of age. 67/100 road traffic accidents occurred at the weekend (Friday-Sunday), nearly 60% between 24:00-09:00 hrs; on non-weekend days about 80% of road traffic accidents were recorded between 14:00-24:00 hrs (p < 0.0001). With the alcoholemia test and urine test for drugs detection 43/100 patients showed a single or multiple positivity. Alcohol and drug presence is relevant during the weekend (37/43 cases), in contrast with non weekend (6/43 cases) [OR 3.04 (95% CI 1.43; 6.46)]. Alcohol was the most frequently detected abuse substance (72%), followed by benzodiazepines (42%), tetrahydrocannabinol (21%) and cocaine (14%). DISCUSSION: 43% of patients examined were under the influence of psychotropic substances (alcohol, drugs or both). The greater part of road traffic accidents in positive test patients occurred during the week-end, in particular during the late night/early morning hours, probably after recreational time. The high incidence of alcohol and/or drug abuse may have caused physical and/or psychological problems, therefore the high number of road traffic accidents, especially if taken in combination. CONCLUSION: The rapid urine test used cannot represent a diagnosis, and requires a confirmation test. It can be used for medical purposes as an easy and fast preliminary response which enables a faster diagnostic and therapeutic guideline, but it cannot be used for sanctions. Further studies are advisable with an increase of number of patients, in a wider temporal range, including control subjects, and using confirmation tests.
OBJECTIVE: Road injuries are the leading injury-related cause of death among people aged 15-44. A clear dose-effect relationship has been demonstrated for drug and alcohol use and road traffic accidents. The objective of our study was to estimate the prevalence of drug and/or alcohol use in subjects admitted for road traffic accidents to an Emergency Department. METHODS: In this study, conducted between January and April 2006, 100 patients of both sexes (age 18-65) examined after road traffic accidents were consecutively enrolled. A commercial rapid urine test was used to detect drugs by the Emergency Department staff The alcohol concentration was determined from a blood sample at the central laboratory. RESULTS: Most of the patients were drivers under 35 years of age. 67/100 road traffic accidents occurred at the weekend (Friday-Sunday), nearly 60% between 24:00-09:00 hrs; on non-weekend days about 80% of road traffic accidents were recorded between 14:00-24:00 hrs (p < 0.0001). With the alcoholemia test and urine test for drugs detection 43/100 patients showed a single or multiple positivity. Alcohol and drug presence is relevant during the weekend (37/43 cases), in contrast with non weekend (6/43 cases) [OR 3.04 (95% CI 1.43; 6.46)]. Alcohol was the most frequently detected abuse substance (72%), followed by benzodiazepines (42%), tetrahydrocannabinol (21%) and cocaine (14%). DISCUSSION: 43% of patients examined were under the influence of psychotropic substances (alcohol, drugs or both). The greater part of road traffic accidents in positive test patients occurred during the week-end, in particular during the late night/early morning hours, probably after recreational time. The high incidence of alcohol and/or drug abuse may have caused physical and/or psychological problems, therefore the high number of road traffic accidents, especially if taken in combination. CONCLUSION: The rapid urine test used cannot represent a diagnosis, and requires a confirmation test. It can be used for medical purposes as an easy and fast preliminary response which enables a faster diagnostic and therapeutic guideline, but it cannot be used for sanctions. Further studies are advisable with an increase of number of patients, in a wider temporal range, including control subjects, and using confirmation tests.
Authors: Roberta Siliquini; Simone Chiadò Piat; Francisco Alonso; Axel Druart; Marcin Kedzia; Antonio Mollica; Valeria Siliquini; Daniel Vankov; Anita Villerusa; Lamberto Manzoli Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2010-04-26 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Roberta Siliquini; Fabrizio Bert; Francisco Alonso; Paola Berchialla; Alessandra Colombo; Axel Druart; Marcin Kedzia; Valeria Siliquini; Daniel Vankov; Anita Villerusa; Lamberto Manzoli Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2011-07-01 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Andres D Ramirez; Anthony L Gotter; Steven V Fox; Pamela L Tannenbaum; Lihang Yao; Spencer J Tye; Terrence McDonald; Joseph Brunner; Susan L Garson; Duane R Reiss; Scott D Kuduk; Paul J Coleman; Jason M Uslaner; Robert Hodgson; Susan E Browne; John J Renger; Christopher J Winrow Journal: Front Neurosci Date: 2013-12-24 Impact factor: 4.677
Authors: Roberta Pacifici; Andrea Pierantozzi; Rita Di Giovannandrea; Ilaria Palmi; Luisa Mastrobattista; Claudia Mortali; Simona Pichini Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2013-04-24 Impact factor: 3.390