Reversible minimal change nephrotic syndrome and glomerular IgA deposition associated with nonparenteral heroin abuse: a case report

Renal manifestations of recreational drugs: A narrative review of the literature

Drug abuse has become a major problem of the modern world where drug-induced kidney injury can be caused by both prescribed drugs for clinical conditions and illegal (illicit) drugs or drugs of abuse. Heroin, cocaine, nicotine and alcohol are the most commonly abused drugs but with the emergence of various synthetic drugs, numerous novel descriptions of their nephrotoxic effects have been described. This review summarizes the key renal manifestations of recreational drugs as reported in case reports and case. A comprehensive review of published case reports and case series in English language of renal toxicity related to recreational drugs/drugs of abuse was conducted using search engines like PubMed/Medline. Publications which reported renal injury with raised creatinine levels, clinically symptomatic patients, those with oliguria and with renal biopsies are chosen. The medical literature on recreational drugs is full of claims of renal complications including different glomerular diseases, acute kidney injury, rhabdomyolysis, interstitial nephritis, and debilitating irreversible conditions like renal infarction and end stage renal disease, even though the pathogenesis of drug- related renal manifestations are not available for all the newer agents. The outcome of this review paper will help multidisciplinary physicians to understand the renal side effects of recreational drugs, their pathophysiology, and most importantly, the clinical presentations of renal dysfunction in relation each drug. Emphasizing these adverse effects will prevent future unfavorable outcomes.

Acute Toxic Effects of the New Psychoactive Substance "Voodoo" among Patients presented to the Poison Control Center of Ain Shams University Hospitals (PCC-ASUH), Egypt, during 2017

BACKGROUND

Voodoo is a heterogeneous mixture of psychoactive substances that has recently grown in popularity among youth in Egypt. Patients can present with a variety of manifestations that may lead to death in some cases. This study assessed the acute toxic effects of voodoo among patients presented to the Poison Control Center of Ain Shams University Hospitals (PCC-ASUH) during a one year period.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study of all patients presented with voodoo intoxication at the PCC-ASUH from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017. Clinical data, routine laboratory findings, and ECG results as well as duration of hospitalization and outcome were compiled from hospital records.

RESULTS

Seventy-one voodoo intoxication cases meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed (mean age: 25.19 ± 9.54 years, range: 15-50 years, 97.2 % male). Pulse, blood pressure, and respiratory rate were normal in more than half of all patients. Neurological abnormalities including agitation, hallucinations, disturbance of consciousness were the most frequent manifestations. Respiratory acidosis was the most common laboratory finding (54.9 %), followed by increased serum urea (43.6 %), hypokalemia (33.8 %), hyperglycemia (28.1 %), and leukocytosis (26.7 %). The most common ECG finding was sinus tachycardia (31 %), followed by QT prolongation (15.4 %). More than half of the studied patients (53.5 %) co-administered other illicit substances, most frequently cannabis and tramadol. Most patients recovered fully and were discharged, but death occurred in two cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Voodoo toxicity can manifest with many presentations, hampering timely diagnosis. Clinicians should consider possible voodoo poisoning in patients presenting with a history of drug use with neurological symptoms, and they should conduct follow-up arterial blood gases, electrolytes and ECG as voodoo may contain potentially fatal psychoactive substances.

Systematic review of nephrotoxicity of drugs of abuse, 2005-2016

BACKGROUND

The United States is faced with an unprecedented epidemic of drug abuse. Every year thousands of Americans visit the emergency departments all over the country with illicit drug related complaints. These drugs have been known to be associated with a range of renal pathologies, from reversible acute kidney injuries to debilitating irreversible conditions like renal infarction. So far, no comprehensive study or systematic review has been published that includes the commonly used street drugs and designer drugs with potential nephrotoxic outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of published case reports, case series, and cross sectional studies of nephrotoxicities related to drugs of abuse. Literature review was conducted using PubMed/Medline from January 1, 2005 -December 31, 2016 to search for publications related to drug abuse with a defined renal outcome. Publications which reported renal injury in relation to the use of illicit drugs were selected, specifically those cases with raised creatinine levels, clinically symptomatic patients, for instance those with oliguria and proven renal biopsies.

RESULTS

A total of 4798 publications were reviewed during the search process and PRISMA flow chart and Moose protocol regarding systematic reviews were followed. 110 articles were shortlisted for the review. A total of 169 cases from case reports and case series, and 14 case studies were analyzed. Renal manifestations of specific illicit drug abuse were included in this review.

CONCLUSION

Based on the evidence presented, a wide range of renal manifestations were found to be associated with drug abuse. If the trend of increasing use of illicit drug use continues, it will put a significant percentage of the population at an elevated risk for poor renal outcomes. This study is limited by the nature of the literature reviewed being primarily case reports and case series.