Gastrointestinal manifestations of synthetic cannabinoids: a retrospective cohort study
Abstract Background Synthetic cannabinoids (SC) are chemical substances which activate cannabinoid receptors similarly to tetrahydrocannabinol, but with a higher efficacy. These substances are used as illicit recreational drugs, often smoked as herbal mixtures. The continuing availability and rapid...
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doaj-efde25f776d24776b94d49c8a2b05a7d2021-07-11T11:19:50ZengBMCBMC Gastroenterology1471-230X2021-07-012111610.1186/s12876-021-01847-wGastrointestinal manifestations of synthetic cannabinoids: a retrospective cohort studyDavid Hakimian0Ariel A. Benson1Tawfik Khoury2Muhammad Massarwa3Sarah Israel4Shaden Salameh5Yonatan Gershinsky6Barak Shapira7Mordechai Muszkat8Institute of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Hadassah Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of JerusalemInstitute of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Hadassah Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of JerusalemDepartment of Gastroenterology, Galilee Medical CenterInstitute of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Hadassah Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of JerusalemDepartment of Internal Medicine, Hadassah Medical Center Mt Scopus and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of JerusalemDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Mt Scopus and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of JerusalemDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Mt Scopus and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of JerusalemBraun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Hebrew University Ein Kerem Medical CampusDepartment of Internal Medicine, Hadassah Medical Center Mt Scopus and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of JerusalemAbstract Background Synthetic cannabinoids (SC) are chemical substances which activate cannabinoid receptors similarly to tetrahydrocannabinol, but with a higher efficacy. These substances are used as illicit recreational drugs, often smoked as herbal mixtures. The continuing availability and rapid evolution of SC is an ongoing health risk. The adverse effects of SC are wide ranging, and span from mild behavioral changes to death. Knowledge regarding gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations of SC use is sparse. Methods Single tertiary-care referral medical center retrospective study. Results The medical records of patients presented to hospital emergency care due to SC use between January 2014 and February 2018 were retrieved from Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital’s computerized database. The records were reviewed for clinical outcomes and laboratory tests. Fifty-five (55) patients were identified with a hospital presentation due to SC use. Twenty-one (21) out of 55 patients (38%) reported gastrointestinal complaints. The most common complaints were abdominal pain and vomiting. Of those, 28% had recurrent emergency department presentations due to abdominal pain and 66% presented with leukocytosis. Serum lactate was elevated in 66% of patients with GI manifestations. One patient had an abnormal computerized tomography (CT) abdominal angiography scan, which was compatible with intestinal ischemia. Conclusions The clinical spectrum of gastrointestinal manifestations in SC intoxication ranges from mild symptoms, such as abdominal pain and vomiting, to even more severe symptoms suggestive of intestinal ischemia. Clinicians should be aware that abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal complaints can be associated with SC use.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-021-01847-wGastrointestinalSynthetic cannabinoidsMesenteric eventAbdominal pain |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
David Hakimian Ariel A. Benson Tawfik Khoury Muhammad Massarwa Sarah Israel Shaden Salameh Yonatan Gershinsky Barak Shapira Mordechai Muszkat |
spellingShingle |
David Hakimian Ariel A. Benson Tawfik Khoury Muhammad Massarwa Sarah Israel Shaden Salameh Yonatan Gershinsky Barak Shapira Mordechai Muszkat Gastrointestinal manifestations of synthetic cannabinoids: a retrospective cohort study BMC Gastroenterology Gastrointestinal Synthetic cannabinoids Mesenteric event Abdominal pain |
author_facet |
David Hakimian Ariel A. Benson Tawfik Khoury Muhammad Massarwa Sarah Israel Shaden Salameh Yonatan Gershinsky Barak Shapira Mordechai Muszkat |
author_sort |
David Hakimian |
title |
Gastrointestinal manifestations of synthetic cannabinoids: a retrospective cohort study |
title_short |
Gastrointestinal manifestations of synthetic cannabinoids: a retrospective cohort study |
title_full |
Gastrointestinal manifestations of synthetic cannabinoids: a retrospective cohort study |
title_fullStr |
Gastrointestinal manifestations of synthetic cannabinoids: a retrospective cohort study |
title_full_unstemmed |
Gastrointestinal manifestations of synthetic cannabinoids: a retrospective cohort study |
title_sort |
gastrointestinal manifestations of synthetic cannabinoids: a retrospective cohort study |
publisher |
BMC |
series |
BMC Gastroenterology |
issn |
1471-230X |
publishDate |
2021-07-01 |
description |
Abstract Background Synthetic cannabinoids (SC) are chemical substances which activate cannabinoid receptors similarly to tetrahydrocannabinol, but with a higher efficacy. These substances are used as illicit recreational drugs, often smoked as herbal mixtures. The continuing availability and rapid evolution of SC is an ongoing health risk. The adverse effects of SC are wide ranging, and span from mild behavioral changes to death. Knowledge regarding gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations of SC use is sparse. Methods Single tertiary-care referral medical center retrospective study. Results The medical records of patients presented to hospital emergency care due to SC use between January 2014 and February 2018 were retrieved from Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital’s computerized database. The records were reviewed for clinical outcomes and laboratory tests. Fifty-five (55) patients were identified with a hospital presentation due to SC use. Twenty-one (21) out of 55 patients (38%) reported gastrointestinal complaints. The most common complaints were abdominal pain and vomiting. Of those, 28% had recurrent emergency department presentations due to abdominal pain and 66% presented with leukocytosis. Serum lactate was elevated in 66% of patients with GI manifestations. One patient had an abnormal computerized tomography (CT) abdominal angiography scan, which was compatible with intestinal ischemia. Conclusions The clinical spectrum of gastrointestinal manifestations in SC intoxication ranges from mild symptoms, such as abdominal pain and vomiting, to even more severe symptoms suggestive of intestinal ischemia. Clinicians should be aware that abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal complaints can be associated with SC use. |
topic |
Gastrointestinal Synthetic cannabinoids Mesenteric event Abdominal pain |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-021-01847-w |
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