[Incidence of the consumption of toxic substances in severe trauma patients].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of the detection of abuse drugs in severe trauma patients

DESIGN: Prospective observational study conducted from July 2004 to January 2006.

SETTING: Neurotrauma intensive care unit of a reference tertiary university hospital.

PATIENTS: Trauma patients who require admission to ICU during the study period.

INTERVENTIONS: Determination of alcohol in blood and of toxics (cocaine, cannabis, amphetamines and other substances) in urine.

RESULTS: Toxicological analysis was performed in 196 of the 288 severe trauma patients admitted during the study period. The most frequently detected cause of the trauma was traffic accident (69%). The most frequently detected substance was cannabis (22.4%), followed by alcohol (17.3%) and cocaine (12.8%). Cannabis was detected in 26.1% of under-45-yr-old patients versus 9.3% of older patients (p < 0.05), and cocaine in 16.3% vs. 0% in over-45-yr-olds (p < 0.001). Some substance of abuse was detected in 45% of under-45-yr-olds versus 23% of older patients (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The high proportion of positive results to toxic substances in severely traumatized patients suggests that the epidemiological environment for these patients is of great concern. These data may be of interest for the design of future prevention campaign.