Nitrous Oxide-Induced Neuropathy among Recreational Users in Vietnam

Xuan Thi Dang, Thanh Xuan Nguyen, Thu Thi Hoai Nguyen and Hung Tran Ha
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Xuan Thi Dang: Vietnam Poison Control Center, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Thanh Xuan Nguyen: Geriatrics Department, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Thu Thi Hoai Nguyen: Geriatrics Department, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Hung Tran Ha: Vietnam Poison Control Center, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-7

Abstract: Nitrous oxide (N 2 O) commonly referred to as laughing gas, has significant medical uses. This study aims to describe the neurological disorders associated with N 2 O. We conducted across-sectional study that enrolled patients with nitrous oxide toxicity admitted to Vietnam Poison Control Center, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam from June 2018 to July 2019. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics, characteristics of using N 2 O, signs and clinical symptoms, neuroimaging findings, injury on electromyography (EMG) and the Total Neuropathy Score clinical version (TNSc) criteria. A total of 47 participants were included with mean age: 24.38 ± 6.20 years. The number of balloons used per week was 130.59 ± 117.43. The mean duration of N 2 O exposure was 8.79 ± 7.1 months. Multivariate linear logistic regression revealed that the number of N 2 O balloons used per week was significantly associated with TNSc point (Beta: 0.315; 95% CI: 0.001–0.022). We found that myeloneuropathy and peripheral neuropathy were the main neurological disorders related to N 2 O abuse, which should improve the awareness of the appearance of neurological disorders associated with N 2 O abuse.

Keywords: N 2 O; nitrous oxide; nitrous oxide toxicity; Vietnam; neurology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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