Marked increase in severe neurological disorders after nitrous oxide abuse: a retrospective study in the Greater Paris area

• DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12264-w
• Publication Date: 2024-03-13T09:06:18Z
• Authors: Yachar Dawudi; Loris Azoyan; Thomas D. E. Brou...; Thierry Gendre; Amal Miloudi; Andoni Echaniz-La...; Julie Mazoyer; Adrien Zanin; Nathalie Kubis; Anne-Laure Dubessy; Lucas Gorza; Haifa Ben Nasr; Weniko Caré; Thibaut d’Izarny-...; Aude Formoso; Ana-Maria Vilcu; Mickael Bonnan
• Keywords: Acute Transverse Myelitis

Abstract Background Recreational nitrous oxide (N 2 O) use has become more widespread worldwide, leading to an increase in myelopathies and peripheral neuropathies. The aim of this study was describe clinical socioeconomical characteristics severe N O-induced (NI) neurological disorders (NI-NDs), determine its incidence the Greater Paris area compare it with that similar inflammatory disorders. Methods We performed a retrospective multicentric cohort all adult patients NI-NDs neurology general internal medicine departments from 2018 2021. compared non-NI-myelitis Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) using sample 91,000 hospitalized sourced health insurance data. Results Among 181 patients, 25% had myelopathy, 37% neuropathy 38% mixed disease. Most were aged between 20 25 years, lived socially disadvantaged urban areas, exhibited high rates unemployment (37%). increased during 2020 reached peak mid-2021. 2021 20–25-year-olds 6.15 [4.72; 8.24] per 100,000 persons for NI-myelopathy 7.48 [5.59; 9.37] NI-peripheral neuropathy. This significantly higher than (0.35 [0.02; 2.00]) GBS (2.47 [0.64; 4.30]). two three times most areas. Conclusion recent recreational O led rise NI-NDs, particularly young adults low socioeconomic status whom strongly outweigh