Estimating the prevalence of cannabinoid use urine testing: a preliminary study in Kerman, Iran.
OBJECTIVE
This primary study was performed to determine the prevalence rate of cannabinoid consumed in Kerman (Iran).


METHODS
Urine samples of 700 males, referred to a clinical lab in Kerman city were collected for detection of cannabinoid metabolites. Assessment analysis was a monophasic immunoassay rapid technique. The study was completely blind and only age and residence of samples were revealed. All stages were confirmed and supervised by the ethics committee.


RESULTS
The prevalence of cannabinoid use was 0.6%. All four positive cases were urban, with ages 31, 36, 40 and 67. More than 90% of referred cases were urban with mean age of 46.8+/-16 while the mean age of rural cases was 54.3+/-17 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering the age range and possibility of the underlying disease in the study population, the prevalence of cannabinoid use was more than what was expected. Urine analysis as a method for assessing the prevalence rate requires a wide sample size and age distribution matching the age distribution of the study population. In addition, the entrance criteria should not include sick cases.
Meimandi
Manzume Shamsi
MS
Department of Physiology & Pharmacology and Neuroscience Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 76175-113, Kerman, Iran. Manzume@yahoo.com
Nakhaee
Nouzar
N
Divsalar
Kouros
K
Dabiri
Shahriar
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods*; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D002186:Cannabinoids