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Abstract
R
ecreational drug abuse is increasing throughout the world. Use of these drugs may result in a diverse array of acute and chronic complications involving almost any body organ.
The nature of the complications depends to a large extent on the drug used, the method of administration, and the impurities associated with the drug.
The major health problems are largely the consequence of transmitted infection, especially HIV and hepatitis, which occurs in intravenous drug abusers who share needles. Here the AIDS-related respiratory consequences are widely known and include opportunistic infections, tuberculosis, and Kaposi’s sarcoma.
There are several other potential adverse pulmonary effects of illicit drugs. Since these are relatively uncommon or unreported, many physicians are unlikely to encounter them unless they are working in areas where there is widespread drug abuse. In general, drugs can be administered either orally, inhaled, or given parenterally, usually by the intravenous route. It is not surprising that ingested drugs are generally safer, whilst injected drugs carry the greatest health risk. Drugs which are inhaled are those most likely to result in respiratory symptoms.
The three classes of drugs most likely to cause respiratory problems include cocaine, marijuana, and opiates.
The spectrum of pulmonary complications associated with drug abuse is wide. The current practice of using mixtures of drugs is mainly responsible for the increase in pulmonary complications.
This work aimed to study respiratory complications of addiction among patients of Ain Shams University hospital during six month.
66 patients were collected from whom full history was taken and full examination was done along with routine labs, CXR, ABG, PFT and echocardiography.
The study revealed that cannabis and opiod were the most commonly abused drugs.
Pulmonary malignancies were common in cannabis users, parynchymal diseases with opiod users and pleural diseases with heroin users. Mortality represents (18.2%) of the sample.
It is difficult to obtain accurate information as to the prevalence of respiratory effects of drug abuse, especially those used illicitly. Minor symptoms are likely to go unreported. More seriously ill patients may be unwilling to volunteer information regarding drug abuse and a high index of suspicion is required. Illicit drugs are frequently adulterated and contain a variety of impurities and additives.
Epidemiological studies are fraught with problems because many drug abusers will resort to a variety of drugs. Long term follow up studies are equally difficult and, even in those which have focused on chronic drug abusers, the duration of use has been a few years at most. Thus, a drug such as cannabis which is regarded as relatively harmless could, in the long term, have greater health risks than cigarette smoking.