According to a 2019 retrospective study, what is the most common emergency department presentation of methamphetamine intoxication?
In a study of 378 emergency department presentations, acute behavioral disturbance was the manifestation of methamphetamine toxicity in 78% of cases. As part of usual clinical care, the authors used a standardized agitation scale (Sedation Assessment Tool [SAT], ranging from -3 [no response] to 0 [normal] to +3 [physical violence]) and found that for patients with an SAT=+1, oral medications (most commonly diazepam) adequately treated agitation in 80% of cases.
Isoardi KZ, et al. Emerg Med Australas. (2019) 31, 593–599
Submitted by: Jon Cole, MD, FAACT
Posted in Question Of The Day