Clinical epidemiological characteristics of nitrous oxide abusers: A single‐center experience in a hospital in China. Issue 12 (13th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Yueyue; Dong, Jing; Xu, Ran; Feng, Fanfan; Kan, Weihao; Ding, Hongmei; Wang, Xiaolong; Chen, Yujie; Wang, Xin; Zhu, Shiguang; Dong, Ruiguo
• Is Part Of: Brain and behavior. Volume 11:Issue 12(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-11-13
• Subjects: epidemiology -- neuropathy -- nitrous oxide -- public health -- subacute combined degeneration -- vitamin B12; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8005
• DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2416
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2162-3279

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: This study investigated the clinical epidemiological characteristics of nitrous oxide (N2 O) abusers in a hospital in China, which have not been systematically reported. Methods: The characteristics of patients abusing N2 O who were examined and treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2017 to December 2020 were analyzed. Results: A total of 61 patients (average age: 21.7 ± 3.2 years; 42 male and 19 female) were enrolled; 60.7% of the patients had an education level of high school or lower, and most (59.0%) had no stable occupation. The mean exposure time was 8.5 ± 7.7 months (range: 1–36 months). Only 52.5% of the abusers reported the physician of the relevant exposure history at the first time of visiting the doctor. The main clinical type was mixed (49.2%). The most common clinical manifestation was distal limb numbness (80.3%). The most frequent outcome was peripheral neuropathy (59%) and subacute combined degeneration (36%). Serum homocysteine level was elevated in 67.5% (27/40) of the patients, while 44.4% (20/45) showed reduced vitamin B12. Note that 61% (22/36) showed abnormal signals in the posterior or lateral funiculus of the spinal cord, and 97% (31/32) of the patients showed peripheral nerve damage by electromyography. In all cases, symptoms were alleviated after halting N2 O intake and receiving nutritional neurotherapy. Conclusions: N2 O abuse can lead to nervous system damage, especially peripheral nerve and spinal cord damage. A full understanding of its clinical epidemiological characteristics is helpful for clinicians to make a timely and clear diagnosis. Abstract : Long‐term abuse of N2 O mainly leads to nervous system damage by affecting the metabolism of vitamin B12, which is seriously harmful to the health of some teenagers. There are certain rules and characteristics in the clinical and epidemiological characteristics. A full understanding of these characteristics is helpful for clinicians to make timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment.