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. 2008 Sep;1(3):169-72.
doi: 10.1007/s12245-008-0022-6. Epub 2008 Jun 7.

Incidence and impact of undisclosed cocaine use in emergency department chest pain and trauma patients

Guillermo Burillo-Putze  1 , Juan María Borreguero León, Jose Antonio García Dopico, Jose Francisco Fernández Rodríguez, Maria Angeles Pérez Carrillo, Maria Jesús Jorge Pérez, Antonia María de Vera González, Eva Vallbona Afonso, Alejandro Jiménez Sosa
Affiliations

Incidence and impact of undisclosed cocaine use in emergency department chest pain and trauma patients

Guillermo Burillo-Putze et al. Int J Emerg Med. 2008 Sep.

Abstract

Background: One of the highest rates of illicit cocaine consumption in Europe is in Spain. Our objective was to study the incidence and impact of undisclosed cocaine consumption in patients attending the emergency department (ED) for trauma or chest pain.

Methods: We analysed urine samples from consecutive patients attending the ED for trauma or chest pain to determine the presence of cocaine, cannabis, amphetamine/metaamphetamine and opioids by semiquantative tests with fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA).

Results: Thirty percent of eligible patients participated. Of 75 cases, 61.3% had trauma and 38.7% chest pain; 25% presented a positive test for drugs. Cocaine was present in 13.3% and cannabis in the same proportion. No differences were found regarding positive cocaine test and chief complaint, ED or hospital stay, or additional tests. Cocaine-positive patients were significantly younger.

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