Abstract
BackgroundGiven the increasing number of lead poisoning in opioids users and since no study has been conducted so far to review lead poisoning in methamphetamine (crystal) users, this study aimed to investigate blood lead level in methamphetamine addicts.MethodsThis study was conducted on 20 patients with methamphetamine poisoning and their blood lead level was measured. The subjects were selected from among patients with a history of continuous use of methamphetamine, without a history of using opiates in the past 6 months confirmed by a negative urine tests, and without a history of heavy metal poisoning.ResultsOf all, 18 patients were male and the mean age was 32 ± 10 years; 17 patients were abusing the drug via inhalation and three persons via oral administration. The mean blood lead level was 2.3 ± 1.1 μg/dL and poisoning was not observed in any of the cases. Blood lead level was not associated with age, sex, dosage, and route of administration.ConclusionAlthough blood lead level was not at poisoning level in people who only used methamphetamine in Iran, due to the simultaneous use of other substances and because of non-specific symptoms, lead poisoning must be suspected in all cases of substances poisoning.
Highlights
Given the increasing number of lead poisoning in opioids users and since no study has been conducted so far to review lead poisoning in methamphetamine users, this study aimed to investigate blood lead level in methamphetamine addicts
Taking into consideration the inclusion criteria, during the 6 months of the study only 20 patients were diagnosed with sole methamphetamine poisoning and after obtaining informed consent from patients or their relatives, they were enrolled into the study
Blood lead level was not associated with age, sex, dosage, and route of administration (Table 3)
Summary
Given the increasing number of lead poisoning in opioids users and since no study has been conducted so far to review lead poisoning in methamphetamine (crystal) users, this study aimed to investigate blood lead level in methamphetamine addicts. Lead is a heavy metal that is abundant in the environment and can cause acute and chronic poisoning. Items such as exhaust gas from cars, contaminated food, industrial waste water, and soil are the main sources of this type of pollution. Inhalation, oral, or dermal exposure to the mentioned sources of pollution can cause lead poisoning [1, 2]. Lead poisoning can cause non-specific protests such as abdominal pain, constipation, irritability, myalgia, anorexia, difficulty concentrating, decreased libido, headache etc. Lead can cause irreversible neurological damage, kidney diseases, coronary artery diseases, and reproductive disorders. Nonspecific abdominal pain in this group of patients might be mistaken for acute abdomen, cholecystitis, and pancreatitis
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