title: Dermatological aspects of synthetic cannabinoid addiction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) have recently become one of the most abused substances among young population and have caused severe health consequences in our country and worldwide.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate sociodemographic and dermatological findings in SC addicts.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 136 SC users who applied to our hospital's Substance Dependence Center outpatient clinic and diagnosed with drug addiction according to DSM-4 criteria between September 2014 and September 2015 were enrolled to our study. Patients were evaluated by dermatologist and psychiatrist with sociodemographic and clinical data sheets. Data were obtained by direct conversation with patients, clinical examination findings, and laboratory tests, if necessary.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 136 patients, 12 (8.8%) were female and 124 (91.2%) were male, aged between 17 and 53 with mean age of 25.8 ± 9.2. Most common use way of SC was smoking and patients majorly used opiates before SC. The majority of the patients enrolled to our study were low-educated and almost 50% did not have a regular job. The most frequent dermatologic complaints were periorbital darkening, hallowed-cheeks and premature aging, hair loss and gray hair, and acnes, whereas most frequent dermatologic examination findings were artifact lesions such as blade scars and tobacco scars-stains, tattoos, and acnes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the increased prevalence of SC use in our country and around the world, dermatologists should continue to familiarize themselves with the common mucocutaneous markers of this substance use. Awareness of signs of SCs use will facilitate earlier diagnose, intervention, and directed treatment.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Dermatology.
authors.forename: Rahime
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Inci
authors.affiliation: a Department of Dermatology.
authors.forename: Kiymet Handan
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kelekci
authors.affiliation: b Department of Psychiatry , and.
authors.forename: Nihan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Oguz
authors.affiliation: a Department of Dermatology.
authors.forename: Semsettin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karaca
authors.affiliation: c Department of Pharmacology , Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, Izmir Katip Celebi University , Izmir , Turkey.
authors.forename: Baris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Karadas
authors.affiliation: b Department of Psychiatry , and.
authors.forename: Adem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bayrakci
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000139:chemically induced; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000139:chemically induced; D015415:Biomarkers; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology; D055030:Drug Users / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006200:Hair Color; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D015995:Prevalence; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects*; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002186:Cannabinoids
keywords: Dermatology; mucocutaneous findings; substance addiction; synthetic cannabinoid