Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) commonly referred to as laughing gas, has significant medical uses. This study aims to describe the neurological disorders associated with N2O. We conducted across-sectional study that enrolled patients with nitrous oxide toxicity admitted to Vietnam Poison Control Center, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam from June 2018 to July 2019. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics, characteristics of using N2O, signs and clinical symptoms, neuroimaging findings, injury on electromyography (EMG) and the Total Neuropathy Score clinical version (TNSc) criteria. A total of 47 participants were included with mean age: 24.38 ± 6.20 years. The number of balloons used per week was 130.59 ± 117.43. The mean duration of N2O exposure was 8.79 ± 7.1 months. Multivariate linear logistic regression revealed that the number of N2O balloons used per week was significantly associated with TNSc point (Beta: 0.315; 95% CI: 0.001–0.022). We found that myeloneuropathy and peripheral neuropathy were the main neurological disorders related to N2O abuse, which should improve the awareness of the appearance of neurological disorders associated with N2O abuse.
Highlights
Nitrous oxide (N2 O), a colourless non-flammable gas has significant medical uses, especially in surgery and dentistry, because of its anaesthetic and pain reducing effects [1,2].It is commonly referred to as laughing gas because it producesa feeling of intoxication when inhaled
We have undertaken this study to describe the neurological disorders associated with N2 O abuse among recreational users in Vietnam
We conducted a cross-sectional study on inpatients with N2 O toxicity who were admitted to the Vietnam Poison Control Center, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam from
Summary
Nitrous oxide (N2 O), a colourless non-flammable gas has significant medical uses, especially in surgery and dentistry, because of its anaesthetic and pain reducing effects [1,2].It is commonly referred to as laughing gas because it producesa feeling of intoxication when inhaled. Nitrous oxide (N2 O), a colourless non-flammable gas has significant medical uses, especially in surgery and dentistry, because of its anaesthetic and pain reducing effects [1,2]. N2 O was consumed via gas-filled balloons, at clubs and festivals where the use of recreational drugs is popular. In recent years the recreational use of inhaled nitrous oxide gas has becomeincreasingly popular, with the United Kingdom logging the highest prevalence of use, followed by the United States (38.6% and 29.4% lifetime prevalence, respectively) [3]. No comprehensive data exist regarding the prevalence and demographics of nitrous oxide misuse in Vietnam. The substance has been involved in numerous drug incidents in Vietnam, some deadly. The police confirmed that the attendees who died had used balloons containing N2 O. N2 O is currently being abused across multiple populations and represents a significant public health problem
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