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Citation |
Al-Samarraie MS, Karinen R, Mørland J, Stokke Opdal M. Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 2010; 66(10): 987-998. |
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Affiliation |
Division of Forensic Toxicology and Drug Abuse, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PB. 4404 Nydalen, 0403, Oslo, Norway, Muhammad.Al-Samarraie@fhi.no. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2010, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
20717656 |
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Abstract |
PURPOSE: Information on the clinical effects associated with whole blood gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) concentrations is sparse. We have investigated possible relationships between GHB blood concentrations and clinical effects in car drivers. METHODS: In Norway, the police stop car drivers suspected of drug-driving. Medical doctors perform a clinical test of impairment (CTI) and blood samples are screened for drugs/medicines by immunological, enzymatic and chromatographic methods at the Division of Forensic Toxicology and Drug Abuse. GHB is a part of our extended drug-testing programme. GHB is standardly measured as GBL by gas chromatographic method. All the results were stored in a database. This database was searched between 2000 and 2007 for car drivers positive only for GHB, called GHB-drivers. A control group with a completely negative blood analysis, including GHB, called control-drivers, was included in the study. RESULTS: Twenty-five car drivers had only GHB in their blood. The police reported that 78% showed unsafe driving behaviour and seven were involved in car accidents, without serious injury. A total of 61% of the drivers were found to be sleepy or in an even more reduced state of consciousness. The median GHB blood concentration was 1,262 (range 592-2,191) mumol/L, measured a median of 69 min after the police had stopped the driver from driving. The GHB blood concentration tended to increase with increasing impairment and reduced consciousness. Clinical findings were normal- to large-sized pupils (86%), impairment as the final conclusion (84%), impaired balance/nystagmus (62 and 54%, respectively), congested/shiny conjunctiva (67%), apathetic, aggressive or abnormal behaviour (65%), reduced short-term memory (67%), reduced/absent pupillar reaction to light (65%), heart rate Language: en |