Analysis of the patients admitted to emergency department with synthetic cannabinoid (bonsai) abuse

Objectives: Patient admissions after substance abuse are frequent in Emergency departments. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients who directly referred to our emergency department with abuse of synthetic cannabinoid known as Bonzai. Material and methods: The study was carried out in Akdeniz University Hospital retrospectively by reviewing the files of the patients who applied to the emergency department after taking synthetic cannabinoids. Between 01.07.2015 - 31.07.2017, patients who applied directly to our emergency department after using synthetic cannabinoids, known as Bonzai, were identified in the hospital data processing program records. Descriptive statistics were made by recording the age, gender, complaint of the patients, consciousness status, vital findings and emergency treatment procedures of the patients in the study form. Results: A total of 47 patients were admitted to our emergency department between the specified dates. 45 patients were male and 2 patients were female. The mean age of patients was 23.3 ± 6.8. There were 33 patients in the 16-24 year age group, 12 patients in the 25-35 year age group and 2 patients in the over 35 age group. 30 patients had altered mental status. Cardiac side effects such as tachycardia (29 patients) and hypertension (24 patients) were found in most of the patients. Thirty nine patients were evaluated in the emergency department and discharged from hospital. Four of the 5 patients who need inpatient treatment, were admitted to intensive care units. 1 patient died during intensive care unit hospitalization. Conclusion: Synthetic cannabinoid intoxication is especially common in young males. Mostly, neurological and cardiac side effects occur. The level of knowledge of the physicians should be increased through relevant trainings and multi-centered studies should be carried out for more comprehensive epidemiological and clinical data. Keywords: Synthetic cannabinoids, Bonzai, epidemiologic characteristics