Nitrous oxide-induced neuropathy among recreational users in Vietnam

Abstract

Nitrous oxide (N2 O) commonly referred to as laughing gas, has significant medical uses. This study aims to describe the neurological disorders associated with N2 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 N2 O, signs and clinical symptoms, neuroimag-ing 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 N2 O exposure was 8.79 ± 7.1 months. Multivariate linear logistic regression revealed that the number of N2 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 N2 O abuse, which should improve the awareness of the appearance of neurological disorders associated with N2 O abuse.