Morbidity associated with MDMA (ecstasy) abuse: A survey of emergency department admissions
Pinchas Halpern, Jenny Moskovich, Beni Avrahami, Yedidia Bentur, Dror Soffer, Kobi Peleg
Human & Experimental Toxicology May 20, 2010 DOI: 10.1177/0960327110370984 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMDMA ('ecstasy') use leads to serious physical and psychological harm, contradicting its reputation as a safe party drug. In a nationwide study of emergency department admissions and poison center calls over seven months, 52 patients aged 15–44 (32 male) were treated for ecstasy-related problems. Most arrived at night or on weekends, and 44% had taken the drug at clubs or parties. Forty-six percent took between half and three tablets, 56% had used ecstasy before, and 42% used other drugs as well. Twenty-nine percent required hospitalization, 11% in intensive care. Common symptoms included agitation, disorientation, high blood pressure, and loss of consciousness; severe complications included hyperthermia, hyponatremia, rhabdomyolysis, brain edema, and coma.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Prospective cohort study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 52 |
| Population | Patients aged 15–44 years admitted to emergency departments for MDMA-related morbidity |
| Duration | 7-month study period |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Emergency department Emergency medicine Coma optics |
| Citations | 54 |
| Key finding | MDMA use causes serious complications such as hyperthermia, hyponatremia, rhabdomyolysis, brain edema, and coma, contradicting its image as a safe party drug. |
Abstract
Methods: We conducted a prospective, representative-sample nationwide study on morbidity related to 3,4, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ‘ecstasy’) as determined from admissions to 5 geographically representative emergency departments (EDs) and from data from the poison information center (PIC). MDMArelated ED admissions were analyzed over a 7-month period and the records of all PIC calls were reviewed. Results: There were 52 (age 15—44 years, 32 males) ecstasy-related ED admissions during the study period. Most (68%) admissions presented to the ED at night, 52% on weekends and 44% consumed the drug at clubs and parties. Forty-six percent of the patients took between 1/2 to 3 tablets and 29 patients (56%) had taken ecstasy before. Twenty-two subjects (42%) reported poly-drug use. Fifteen subjects (29%) required hospitalization, six of them (11%) to the intensive care unit. The most common manifestations were restlessness, agitation, disorientation, shaking, high blood pressure, headache and loss of consciousness. More serious complications were hyperthermia, hyponatremia, rhabdomyolysis, brain edema and coma. Conclusion: The image of ecstasy as a safe party drug is spurious. The results of this study confirm that the drug bears real danger of physical harm and of behavioral, psychological and psychiatric disturbances.