Urine Drugs of Abuse Testing at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia: A Review of Trends from 2009 – 2019
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Abstract
Introduction: Substance abuse is a major social and health bane worldwide, including Malaysia, inflicting extensive morbidity and mortality. Our study aims to review the request and results of urine drugs of abuse testing conducted at the Pharmacology Laboratory of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Kelantan, Malaysia, over a period of 11 years. Methods: Data for urine drugs of abuse testing requested and their results performed at the Pharmacology Laboratory between January 2009 and December 2019 was retrospectively extracted. Data on patient demographics, types of drugs requested, and types of drugs tested positive were analysed. Testing was performed using the enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique. Results: The absolute number and percentage of positive cases for amphetamine type stimulant (ATS) drugs has steadily risen over the past decade making it the current drug of abuse of most concern. Opiate abuse, although still seen, remained static. The peak age range for abusing drugs falls between 25–34 years with a male predominance; an alarming finding was of positive cases observed among neonates and children below the age of 12. Majority of requests came from the Psychiatric and Emergency Departments. Conclusion: Over the past eleven years, ATS abuse has superseded opiate in being the most abused drug type, detected even at young ages. Therefore, societal awareness and education on the dangers of ATS abuse, and intensive detection of ATS use must be implemented.
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