Tramadol misuse in the Niger Delta; A review of cases presenting within a year

Objective: Tramadol is an opioid agent used for pain management with huge potentials of misuse. The misuse of Tramadol is associated with increased morbidity and mortality; and this is common among young adults in low-income settings. The aim of this study is to highlight cases of Tramadol misuse managed in a rural teaching hospital in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Method: We used the case report design to highlight five cases of Tramadol use misuse in our setting over a year period. Results: Majority of the cases were males and young adults using Tramadol for non-medical purposes. They all presented with various clinical features including altered levels of consciousness. Conclusion: Tramadol misuse among young male adults is common in our region. Further research and intervention programs are essential to understand the true burden and also prevent further misuse in the community.