Citation

Scherer JN, Fiorentin TR, Borille BT, Pasa G, Sousa TRV, Von Diemen L, Limberger RP, Pechansky F. J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 2017; 143: 77-85.

Affiliation

Center for Drug and Alcohol Research and Collaborating Center on Alcohol and Drugs - HCPA/SENAD, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Professor Álvar Alvim, 400, 90420-020, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jpba.2017.05.021

PMID

28577420

Abstract

Point-of-collection testing (POCT) devices for drugs of abuse are used to screen for the presence of psychoactive substances (PAS) in different types of settings and environments. However, these quick and advantageous tools also present disadvantages, including low-reliability measures in comparison to chromatographic assays. Therefore, this article presents a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies evaluating the reliability of measurements of PAS detection in oral fluid using POCT devices. The reliability measures for detection of the five most important drug classes - cocaine, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids and opioids, are reported. The article also presents a subgroup analysis considering the reliability estimates for the different POCT devices that were evaluated by the studies contemplated in the review. A discussion considering the strengths and limitations of POCT techniques was performed in order to guide policymakers, traffic agents and other professionals who also conduct such tests. The use of POCT devices often involves legal and moral aspects of the subjects tested, which demands critical evaluation of these devices before they are implemented in different settings.

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Drug screening; Forensic toxicology; Oral fluid; Point-of-collection testing devices; Psychoactive substances