Abstract
Background and aimsRetrospective analysis of hair testing data provides insights in drugs abuse patterns and improves results interpretation. Cases from subjects undergoing driving fitness assessment (2010–2020) were examined to evidence patterns in methamphetamine (MA) abuse. Materials and Methods: All cases with positive MA (≥0.025 ng/mg) were included (n = 585). Data available were gender, age, MA and A (amphetamine) in hair (h), hair color/treatment, length of proximal hair. Cases with Ah/MAh ≤ 0.35 (n = 469) were arbitrarily selected to remove as many combined A, MA users. ANOVA was performed to detect Ah/MAh predictors. Results: No predictors affected Ah/MAh. A bimodal frequency distribution was observed. We clustered cases in two groups (1, Ah/MAh 0.025–0.070; 2, Ah/MAh 0.071–0.120) and performed logistic regression. Only gender exhibited significant difference across groups (p = 0.0080). Odds ratio for females falling into group 2 was 2.86 times higher (CI97.5 1.34–6.44). Conclusion: Literature data support the hypothesis that the two Ah/MAh groups represent different phenotypes of the CYP2D6-mediated MA N-demethylation. Whether gender plays a role in such difference could not be confirmed. However, these results provide further suggestion of an association of gender and pharmacogenomics with MA disposition, requiring these factors to be considered in future research.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.