Socio-demographic and clinical profile of substance abuse patients admitted to an emergency department in Ankara, Turkey.
BACKGROUND
Illicit drug abuse is an important health problem around the world. Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug, followed by amphetamines, opioids, and cocaine. In this study, we searched the socio-demographic features of drug abusers admitted to an emergency department.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was performed in the emergency department of an education and training hospital in Ankara, Turkey. The socio-demographic features, substances commonly consumed, and the reason for the patients' presentation were recorded.


RESULTS
The mean age of patients was 28.3±9.2. Of those under study, 93.3% were male; 68.7% were discharged from the emergency department after a short observation period; and 10.4% were hospitalized. The median age of the patients' first experience with illicit substances was 19 (4-56).


CONCLUSION
Illicit drug use remains a significant medical health problem, not only in Turkey but also around the world. Abusers frequently seek emergency services, complaining of various symptoms, but generally do not mention their substance abuse. Emergency physicians must ask patients if they use abuse drugs.
['Avci|Sema|S|', 'Sarikaya|Ridvan|R|', 'Kavak|Nezih|N|', 'Özmen|Fatma Nihal|FN|', 'Aydin|Macit|M|', 'Arslan|Engin Deniz|ED|', 'Büyükcam|Fatih|F|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital D005260:Female D006801:Humans D013287:Illicit Drugs D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D010343:Patient Admission D011446:Prospective Studies D012959:Socioeconomic Factors D019966:Substance-Related Disorders D014421:Turkey D014504:Urban Health D055815:Young Adult
substance abuse, illicit drug, emergency department, socio-demographic profile