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Drug population in one thousand geographically distributed urine specimens
Journal of Analytical Toxicology
|May 1, 1985
Summary
A study analyzed 1000 urine specimens to identify commonly detected drugs. Results show 110 different drugs were identified, with 50 drugs accounting for 95% of all detections, highlighting prevalent drug use patterns.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Chemistry
- Forensic Toxicology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Urine drug screening is crucial for detecting excreted substances.
- Comprehensive drug screens face limitations in identifying all detectable compounds.
- Identifying prevalent drugs aids in clinical and forensic toxicology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the most frequently detected drugs in urine specimens.
- To establish a profile of common drug substances encountered in clinical laboratories.
- To understand the prevalence of specific drug classes in a large sample set.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of approximately 1000 urine specimens from 29 clinical laboratories.
- Utilized thin-layer chromatography and specialized assays for specific drug classes.
- Employed enzyme immunoassay for opiates, phencyclidine (PCP), and cannabinoid metabolites.
Main Results:
- A total of 3014 drug detections were identified across 110 different drugs.
- Fifty drugs accounted for 95% of all detected substances.
- Cannabinoid metabolites were present in 21% of specimens, and cocaine/benzoylecgonine in 4%.
Conclusions:
- A limited number of drugs are responsible for the majority of positive urine drug screens.
- Cannabinoids and cocaine metabolites are among the most frequently detected substances.
- Findings provide valuable data for optimizing drug screening panels and interpreting results.