TY - JOUR
T1 - Preliminary assessment of fentanyl and synthetic opioids prevalence among addiction patients by means of hair analysis
AU - Salomone, Alberto
AU - Levari, Ermelinda
AU - Lotti, Andrea
AU - Frenguelli, Marinella
AU - Longo, Valentina
AU - Gottardi, Massimo
AU - Marchio, Giovanni Michele
AU - Stefani, Martina
AU - Ferrucci, Roberta
AU - Negri, Attilio
AU - Corazza, Ornella
PY - 2021/8/10
Y1 - 2021/8/10
N2 - Background
Although the diffusion of novel synthetic opioids has become a worldwide phenomenon, their prevalence of use in Italy seems to be limited. Existing national data is mainly derived by anamnestic surveyslacking of toxicological validation and not always disclosing the use of these compounds, which might remain under-diagnosed.
Methods
an assessment of the metabolites of the main synthetic opioids on hair samples was carried out among patients admitted at the Addiction Treatment Unit of Trento. The analytical approach included: (a) screening by means of immunoenzymatic method for fentanyl, fentanyl analogs and oxicodone; (b) confirmation of the samples resulted positive for fentanyl and oxicodone by means of HPLC-MS/; (c) search and dosage detection of Tramadol by means of HPLC-MS/MS.
Results
3 out of 309 analysed samples were found positive: one was positive to Fentanyl and two to 4-ANPP. In the same cohort, 6 samples were also found positive for Oxycodone . Tramadol was searched in 189 samples and 12 of them resulted positive.
Discussion and conclusion
Those found positive were mainly young adults engaging in dangerous patterns of use and lacking awareness of risks. The phenomenon requires further consideration by health professionals. Training and more evidence-based information on synthetic opioids as well as other Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) are urgently needed.
AB - Background
Although the diffusion of novel synthetic opioids has become a worldwide phenomenon, their prevalence of use in Italy seems to be limited. Existing national data is mainly derived by anamnestic surveyslacking of toxicological validation and not always disclosing the use of these compounds, which might remain under-diagnosed.
Methods
an assessment of the metabolites of the main synthetic opioids on hair samples was carried out among patients admitted at the Addiction Treatment Unit of Trento. The analytical approach included: (a) screening by means of immunoenzymatic method for fentanyl, fentanyl analogs and oxicodone; (b) confirmation of the samples resulted positive for fentanyl and oxicodone by means of HPLC-MS/; (c) search and dosage detection of Tramadol by means of HPLC-MS/MS.
Results
3 out of 309 analysed samples were found positive: one was positive to Fentanyl and two to 4-ANPP. In the same cohort, 6 samples were also found positive for Oxycodone . Tramadol was searched in 189 samples and 12 of them resulted positive.
Discussion and conclusion
Those found positive were mainly young adults engaging in dangerous patterns of use and lacking awareness of risks. The phenomenon requires further consideration by health professionals. Training and more evidence-based information on synthetic opioids as well as other Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) are urgently needed.
U2 - 10.1016/j.etdah.2021.100020
DO - 10.1016/j.etdah.2021.100020
M3 - Article
SN - 2667-1182
VL - 2021
JO - Emerging Trends in Drugs, Addictions and Health
JF - Emerging Trends in Drugs, Addictions and Health
IS - 1
M1 - 100020
ER -