[Comparison of respiratory regulation in alcohol and opiate abusers]

Opioid drugs and alcohol, both central nervous system depressants, may also have a depressive action on the brain stem centre responsible for breathing control. Disorders of breathing regulation are reflected in respiratory efficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate the regulation of breathing by measuring the respiratory pattern and occlusion pressure of abusers of opiates and alcohol. There were 180 persons under examination: 84 alcohol abusers (group I), 36 opiates abusers (group II) and 40 healthy persons (control group). Both groups of dependent persons were treated in the Detoxication Unit of the Department of Clinical Toxicology CMUJ. Respiratory regulation was evaluated "on line" by means of synchronous measurements of the respiratory pattern (according to Milic-Emili assumptions) and occlusion pressure P 0.1 (according to Whitlaw assumptions). The central respiratory drive (VT/Tin) and the timing component of the breathing cycle (Tin/Ttot) were simillar in both groups of abusers. In comparison to the control group, in the group of opiates abusers, values of VT/Tin were higher during examination performed after treatment, and values of Tin/Ttot were elevated (in group I--only before treatment; in group II--before and after treatment). Examination of respiratory pattern and occlusion pressure is based on recording spontaneous breathing, which this can be performed even in unconscious patients in very early stage of poisoning.