Neurological aspects of opium addiction in imprisoned women.

The study covered 52 women, aged 19-30 years, who had previously taken home-made poppy preparations. In seven of them we diagnosed opium use (F 11.11 according to ICD-10) and 45 had opium abuse (F 11.21). All were detained in penitentiaries for 2-23 months. The control group consisted of 20 healthy females. A significant frequency of brain stem and extrapyramidal disturbances was found in the opium abuse group. Brain stem signs included tendon anisoreflexia (100-2%), nystagmus (87 5%), ataxia (87 5%) and corneal hyporeflexia (48 7%). Among the most frequent extrapyramidal disturbances were a positive pushing test (90 4%); test with pendular swinging of the legs (85 5%) and hand tremor (82 7%). Statistical analysis revealed a relationship between the degree of extrapyramidal system damage and duration of opiate dependence.