Preliminary assessment of fentanyl and synthetic opioids prevalence among addiction patients by means of hair analysis

Emerging Trends in Drugs, Addictions, and Health

Andrea Lotti¹  Roberta Ferrucci²  Attilio Negri²  Ermelinda Levari²  Giovanni Michele Marchio³  Valentina Longo³  Marinella Frenguelli³  Martina Stefani³  Massimo Gottardi³  Ornella Corazza⁴  Alberto Salomone⁵ 

[1] Corresponding author at: Dirigente Medico, Specialista in Psichiatria, SerD Trento, via Gocciadoro 47/49, Trento, Italy.;Addiction Service, Public Health Service of Trento, Trento, Italy;Public Health Laboratory, Prevention Department of Trento, Trento, Italy;School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom;University of Turin, Turin, Italy;

关键词: Fentanyl;    Oxycodone;    Tramadol;    Keratin matrix;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

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.

【 授权许可】

Unknown