Clinical and financial implications of emergency department visits for synthetic marijuana

Authors

Eric Rowley, Baton Rouge General Hospital, Baton Rouge, LA, United States; Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans, Baton Rouge Campus, United States.
David Benson, Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans, Baton Rouge Campus, United States.
Aaron Tiffee, Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans, Baton Rouge Campus, United States.
Adam Hockensmith, Baton Rouge General Hospital, Baton Rouge, LA, United States; Tulane Medical School, New Orleans, LA, United States. Electronic address: ahockens@tulane.edu.
Henry Zeng, Baton Rouge General Hospital, Baton Rouge, LA, United States; Tulane Medical School, New Orleans, LA, United States. Electronic address: hzeng1@tulane.edu.
Glenn N. Jones, Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans, Baton Rouge Campus, United States; Family Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine in New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, United States. Electronic address: GJones@LSUHSC.edu.
Mandi W. Musso, Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans, Baton Rouge Campus, United States; Graduate Medical Education, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Baton Rouge, LA, United States. Electronic address: mmuss1@lsuhsc.edu.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Many users believe that synthetic cannabinoids offer a safe and legal means of getting high. However, spikes in emergency department visits have been associated with use of synthetic cannabinoids. The purpose of the current study was to document emergency department visits from three large hospitals in one metropolitan area over a two month period. METHOD: This was a retrospective chart review examining 218 patients presenting to three inner city emergency departments between March and April 2014. Data collected included demographic information, information regarding ED diagnosis and treatment, signs and symptoms, ancillary testing, ED disposition, and cost of the medical treatment. RESULTS: The majority of patients (75.7%) were discharged after ED workup, but 12.4% were admitted for medical treatment and 11.5% were admitted for psychiatric treatment. Ten patients (4.6%) were admitted to the ICU. Symptoms experienced most frequently include: hypertension, tachycardia, agitation, drowsiness, nausea, and confusion. Cluster analysis revealed four symptom clusters of individuals presenting after using synthetic cannabinoids: 1) confusion, hostility, agitation, 2) nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, 3) drowsiness, and 4) the absence of these symptoms. CONCLUSION: This study has three important findings. First, significant ED resources are being used to treat individuals presenting due to effects of synthetic cannabis. Second, synthetic cannabis is not a benign substance. Third, while the hostile and agitated user is generally presented in the media, this study finds significant heterogeneity in presentation. Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of synthetic cannabinoid use.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

The American journal of emergency medicine

First Page

1506

Last Page

1509

Recommended Citation

Rowley, E., Benson, D., Tiffee, A., Hockensmith, A., Zeng, H., Jones, G. N., & Musso, M. W. (2017). Clinical and financial implications of emergency department visits for synthetic marijuana. The American journal of emergency medicine, 35 (10), 1506-1509. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2017.04.044