Protocol for a scoping review on misuse of psychoactive medicines and its consequences

Abstract

Background: Misuse of psychoactive medicines, especially prescription opioids, but also benzodiazepines, hypnotics and sedatives, has become a significant public health issue in some countries, especially in the USA, where it has been extensively documented. However, in the EU published literature is scarce, and almost absent in Portugal. Objectives: The aim of this scoping review is to map the key concepts on psychoactive medicines’ misuse and examine the existing body of evidence on this topic in Portugal and other EU countries. Data on the possible consequences of medicines’ misuse – adverse drug reactions, poisonings, hospitalisations and deaths – will also be collected.Methods: The scoping review will follow the framework of Arksey and O’Malley, further developed by Levac et al. and the Joanna Briggs Institute. The search strategy, developed by the authors, includes querying three electronic databases - PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus - using keywords and the Medical Subject Headings, for evidence published during a 10-year period up to 2020. Additionally, articles from PubMed alerts and other sources will also be considered. The current scoping review will include studies published in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese. Discussion: The results of this review will describe the current state of the art regarding misuse of medicines at EU level. Ethics and dissemination: Since the scoping review methodology focuses on published data, this study does not require ethical approval. We will publish our findings in a peer-reviewed journal and plan to disseminate our work in conferences and scientific meetings.