title: Hospitalisation associated with use of the synthetic cannabinoid K2.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the proportion of patients hospitalised in an acute psychiatric ward associated with use of the synthetic cannabinoid K2, along with their clinical features.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective audit. K2 use was based on self-report.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen patients had a total of 21 admissions during between January and April 2013; this represented 13% of all admissions to the ward during this time. This was a first hospitalisation for 4 patients. Of the 13 patients with previous psychiatric hospitalisation, 9 patients had recurrences of pre-existing disorders, and 4 patients presented new psychotic symptoms. Presenting symptoms were variable, and included psychotic (paranoia, thought disorder, disorganised behaviour), affective (anxious, depressed) disturbances, and/or intense suicidal thinking/behaviour. Mean duration of admission was 8.5 days, with significantly longer durations for those presenting with psychotic symptoms (13.1 vs 4.4 days).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this case series, use of K2 was associated with significant psychotoxicity requiring hospitalisation, and indicates substantial risk associated with use of synthetic cannabinoids.
authors.affiliation: Psychological Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. paul.glue@otago.ac.nz
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Glue
authors.forename: Sultan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Shaqsi
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hancock
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gale
authors.forename: Brad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Strong
authors.forename: Leo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schep
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D063386:Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D009520:New Zealand; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D057566:Self Report; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D063386:Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists; D002186:Cannabinoids; D013287:Illicit Drugs; C569461:cannabinoid K2