Trends in Poly Drug Use-associated Deaths based on Confirmed Analytical Toxicology Results in Tehran, Iran, in 2011-2016
Background: Poly drug use is a public health threat causing morbidity and mortality all over the world.Combined use of licit and illicit drugs is among the possible causes of death. In this retrospective analyticalstudy, we evaluated forensic toxicology analysis results from 2011 to 2016 in Tehran p...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Kerman University of Medical Sciences
2021-02-01
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| Series: | Addiction and Health |
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| Online Access: | https://ahj.kmu.ac.ir/article_91588_779005ed9b7ab360368e2e6b4d4da903.pdf |
| _version_ | 1797693727476547584 |
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| author | Maryam Akhgari Fariba Sardari-Iravani Masoud Ghadipasha |
| author_facet | Maryam Akhgari Fariba Sardari-Iravani Masoud Ghadipasha |
| author_sort | Maryam Akhgari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Poly drug use is a public health threat causing morbidity and mortality all over the world.Combined use of licit and illicit drugs is among the possible causes of death. In this retrospective analyticalstudy, we evaluated forensic toxicology analysis results from 2011 to 2016 in Tehran province, Iran.Methods: All deaths related to poly drug use and referred to the Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran duringthe 6-year study period were evaluated. Postmortem samples were analyzed to detect alcohols, andprescription and illicit drugs using headspace gas chromatography (HSGC), high performance liquidchromatography (HPLC), and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in a forensic toxicologylaboratory. Manner of death, demographic characteristics, and different drug categories in postmortemsamples were analyzed.Findings: A total of 1388 poly drug use-associated deaths were investigated during the 6-year study period.Overall, victims were mostly young men of 20-40 years of age (56.8%). The male to female ratio was 7:16.Methadone (n = 660; 47.6%) and amphetamine type stimulants (ATS) (n = 657; 47.3%) were in the highestcategory for poly drug use-associated deaths. Moreover, in some cases, opium (n = 458; 32.9%), tramadol(n = 389; 28.0%), and tricyclic antidepressants (n = 151; 10.9%) had been used with other drugs.Conclusion: The present study provides information about poly drug use-associated deaths in Tehran andhighlights the major role of substance abuse in death. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T02:47:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ec7c7dfc97ed4d60ba91689adc29edc7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2008-4633 2008-8469 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T02:47:45Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | Kerman University of Medical Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Addiction and Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-ec7c7dfc97ed4d60ba91689adc29edc72023-09-04T06:42:03ZengKerman University of Medical SciencesAddiction and Health2008-46332008-84692021-02-01131182810.22122/ahj.v13i1.29691588Trends in Poly Drug Use-associated Deaths based on Confirmed Analytical Toxicology Results in Tehran, Iran, in 2011-2016Maryam Akhgari0Fariba Sardari-Iravani1Masoud Ghadipasha2Department of Forensic Toxicology, Legal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, IranDepartment of Forensic Toxicology, Legal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, IranLegal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, IranBackground: Poly drug use is a public health threat causing morbidity and mortality all over the world.Combined use of licit and illicit drugs is among the possible causes of death. In this retrospective analyticalstudy, we evaluated forensic toxicology analysis results from 2011 to 2016 in Tehran province, Iran.Methods: All deaths related to poly drug use and referred to the Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran duringthe 6-year study period were evaluated. Postmortem samples were analyzed to detect alcohols, andprescription and illicit drugs using headspace gas chromatography (HSGC), high performance liquidchromatography (HPLC), and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in a forensic toxicologylaboratory. Manner of death, demographic characteristics, and different drug categories in postmortemsamples were analyzed.Findings: A total of 1388 poly drug use-associated deaths were investigated during the 6-year study period.Overall, victims were mostly young men of 20-40 years of age (56.8%). The male to female ratio was 7:16.Methadone (n = 660; 47.6%) and amphetamine type stimulants (ATS) (n = 657; 47.3%) were in the highestcategory for poly drug use-associated deaths. Moreover, in some cases, opium (n = 458; 32.9%), tramadol(n = 389; 28.0%), and tricyclic antidepressants (n = 151; 10.9%) had been used with other drugs.Conclusion: The present study provides information about poly drug use-associated deaths in Tehran andhighlights the major role of substance abuse in death.https://ahj.kmu.ac.ir/article_91588_779005ed9b7ab360368e2e6b4d4da903.pdfsubstance-related disordersforensic toxicologyamphetaminemethadonepublic health |
| spellingShingle | Maryam Akhgari Fariba Sardari-Iravani Masoud Ghadipasha Trends in Poly Drug Use-associated Deaths based on Confirmed Analytical Toxicology Results in Tehran, Iran, in 2011-2016 Addiction and Health substance-related disorders forensic toxicology amphetamine methadone public health |
| title | Trends in Poly Drug Use-associated Deaths based on Confirmed Analytical Toxicology Results in Tehran, Iran, in 2011-2016 |
| title_full | Trends in Poly Drug Use-associated Deaths based on Confirmed Analytical Toxicology Results in Tehran, Iran, in 2011-2016 |
| title_fullStr | Trends in Poly Drug Use-associated Deaths based on Confirmed Analytical Toxicology Results in Tehran, Iran, in 2011-2016 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Trends in Poly Drug Use-associated Deaths based on Confirmed Analytical Toxicology Results in Tehran, Iran, in 2011-2016 |
| title_short | Trends in Poly Drug Use-associated Deaths based on Confirmed Analytical Toxicology Results in Tehran, Iran, in 2011-2016 |
| title_sort | trends in poly drug use associated deaths based on confirmed analytical toxicology results in tehran iran in 2011 2016 |
| topic | substance-related disorders forensic toxicology amphetamine methadone public health |
| url | https://ahj.kmu.ac.ir/article_91588_779005ed9b7ab360368e2e6b4d4da903.pdf |
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