Current Trends in Tramadol-Related Fatalities, Tehran, Iran 2005–2008

Abstract

Tramadol is a widely prescribed drug. Abuse of tramadol as well as tramadol-related deaths have been increasing in Iran. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the trends of tramadol-related deaths that occurred between 2005 and 2008 in Tehran, Iran. Biological samples obtained during the autopsy were analyzed. Tramadol was detected in 294 cases by itself or together with other drugs. The majority of the cases were young male adults. Tramadol-related deaths in 2008 were 32.5 times more than in 2005. These results suggest that tramadol-related fatalities are growing in Iran especially among substance abusers.

RÉSUMÉ

L’examen du processus des morts provoquées par le Tramadol, Téhéran, Iran 2005-2008

Le Tramadol est un médicament fréquemment prescrit. L’abus et les décès qui lui sont dus augmentent de plus en plus en Iran. La présente recherche a pour objective d’examiner les décès dus à la consommation du médicament sur une période de quatre années à Téhéran et en Iran. Des prélèvements biologiques sur les résultats d’autopsie ont été analysés selon des procédés spécifiques et bien précis. Dans 294 cas de décès, le Tramadol a été détecté, seul ou en combinaison avec d’autres médicaments. La plupart des personnes décédées étaient des hommes jeunes. La mortalité provoquée par l’usage du Tramadol a été multiplié par 32/5 en 2008 par rapport à celle de 2005. Les résultats obtenus témoignent de l’augmentation de la mortalité chez les jeunes consommateurs Iraniens.

RESUMEN

La consideracion tendencia de fatalidad relativa de tramadol Teheran, Iran 2005–2008

Tramadol es una droga que receta mucho. El abuso y fatalidad relativa de tramadol han aumentado en Iran. El objetivo del estudio presente es evaluacion de muertes relativas de tramadol durante 4 años (2005–2008) en Teheran, Iran. Las muestras biologicas obtenidas de cadaveres fueron analizodos con instrumentos sensitivos y especificos. Tramadol fue hallado 294 casos o con otras drogas. La mayoria de los casos fueron adultos. Las muertes relativas de tramadol en 2008 en la comparacion con 2005, han aumentado 32.5 veces. Estos resultados sugere que la fatalidad relativo de tramadol esta cerciendo en Iran especialmente entre jovenes que tienen el precendente abuso.

Las palabras importantes: tramadol, toxicologia forense, fatalidad, Iran

Keywords :

• tramadol
• forensic toxicology
• fatal outcome
• Iran

THE AUTHORS

Dr. Fariba Sardari Iravani, Dr. of laboratory medicine, she is the Chief of substance abuse laboratory of Forensic Toxicology Department of Scientific and Educational Research Center of Legal Medicine Organization (LMO), Tehran, Iran. Her research areas of interest are forensic toxicology, analytical toxicology, and forensic aspects of substance abuse and laboratory medicine.

Dr. Maryam Akhgari, Pharm. D., Ph.D., of pharmacology and toxicology, she is the head of Forensic Toxicology, Department of Scientific and Educational Research Center of Legal Medicine Organization (LMO), Tehran, Iran. Her research areas of interest are forensic toxicology, analytical toxicology, forensic aspects of substance abuse, and crime scene investigation (CSI).

Dr. Farzaneh Jokar, Pharm. D., Ph.D., (pharmacology and toxicology), is Chief of instrumental techniques laboratory of Forensic Toxicology Department of Scientific and Educational Research Center of Legal Medicine Organization (LMO), Tehran, Iran. Her research areas of interest are forensic toxicology, analytical toxicology and method development, and forensic aspects of substance abuse.

Leila Bahmanabadi, Bachelor of Chemistry, is assistant of instrumental techniques laboratory of Forensic Toxicology Department of Scientific and Educational Research Center of Legal Medicine Organization (LMO), Tehran, Iran. Her research areas of interest are analytical toxicology and drug chemistry.

Notes

1 The journal's style utilizes the category substance abuse as a diagnostic category. Substances are used or misused; living organisms are and can be abused. Editor's note.