Skin lesions in Substance Dependent Patients

Illicit drug abuse is a major problem all over the world. The United Nations estimates that 5% of the world population (aged 15-64 years) use illicit drugs at least once a year (annual prevalence). Many adverse effects of the illicit drugs arise on skin and therefore dermatologists and general practitioners should be aware of these changes. This study aimed at evaluating the skin lesions in substance-dependent patients. In a descriptive setting, 66 substance-dependent patients were evaluated during a 16-month period in Tabriz Sina and Razi Hospitals and Sheikholraeis Clinic. Diagnosis of drug abuse was based on DSM-IV criteria. Thorough history taking about the type of illicit drug and the major route of use, as well as a complete physical examination emphasizing the skin lesions were done by a dermatologist. Accordingly, frequency of skin lesions was determined. Sixty six male drug abusers with a mean age of 32.8±8.1 (18-55) years were recruited. The mean duration of drug abuse was 56.3±41.4 (3-204) months. Inhalation (87.9%), oral consumption (13.6%) and intravenous injections (4.5%) were the main routes of drug abuse, respectively. Opiate (63.3%), crystal (24.2%), hashish (21.2%), heroin (19.7%) and crack (12.1%) were the main substances used in the studied population, respectively. The main skin lesions were acne (21.2%), cicatricial lesions (21.2%), atrophic glossitis (18.2%), nicotinic stomatitis (13.6%), burn (9.1%), mycotic glossitis (9.1%), crusted skin lesions (7.6%) and pruritus (7.6%). According to our results, many skin lesions are not characteristic for non intravenous drug abusers. Further studies with larger sample size and in different drugs are recommended.