Pattern of novel psychoactive substance use among patients presented to the poison control centre of Ain Shams University Hospitals, Egypt : A cross-sectional study

Background: Novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) are relatively new substances in the illicit drug market, notpreviously listed in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC). Strox and Voodoo are consideredsome of the most popular blends of NPS in the Egyptian drug market.Objectives: The current study was conducted to assess NPS's use pattern: Voodoo and Strox among acutelyintoxicated patients presented to the poison control center of Ain Shams University Hospitals (PCC- ASUH).Methods: A single center based cross-sectional study was carried out in the PCC-ASUH among acutely intoxicatedpatients presenting to the emergency department (ED) over four months (from January–April 2019. using apreviously adopted and validated Fahmy and El-Sherbini socioeconomic scale (SES). Data were presented asmean, median and range as appropriate. Both smoking and crowding indexes were calculated and presented aspreviously reported.Results: Fifty-one patients were presented to the ED of PCC-ASUH during the study period. A total of 96.1% (n ¼49) were males. The mean age was 25 7.5 years. The most common NPS used was Strox: 54.9% (n ¼ 28),followed by Voodoo: 27.4% (n ¼ 14). Neurological and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were the most frequentpresentations. The most common motive behind NPS use was the desire to give a trial of new psychoactivesubstances. The mean SES score was 35.1 13.17. Most patients have the preparatory as the highest education36.0% (n ¼ 18).Conclusions: NPS use is common among young males in preparatory education from different social classes,starting it most commonly as a means to experiencing a new high. Neurological and GI manifestations are themost common presenting symptoms of NPS intoxication.