Abstract
Introduction: Poisoning is regarded as a matter of concern for health providers as the burden of health resources loss can be high. Since nature and diversity of poisoning are different among various regions around the country, this study was conducted to demonstrate type and reasons for poisonings in Qazvin province, Iran. Objectives: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the reason of toxic events as well as presenting symptoms and outcome of poisonings. Patients and Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional and hospital-based study was conducted during a one-year period. The patients recruited to the study were consecutive intoxicated cases presenting to the hospital with alleged poisoning. Relevant epidemiological and clinical data from patients were collected and then analyzed using SPSS software. Results: A total of 23161 patients were admitted to the hospital, out of which 766 (3.3%) intoxicated patients were enrolled in the study. Mean age was 29.8 years old. Females outnumbered males but difference was not significant. The majority of the poisonings were deliberate (95.2%). Main clinical features of poisoning were decreased consciousness (47.4%), followed by lethargy (38.1%) and nausea/vomiting (31.9%). The benzodiazepines were the predominant agent ingested by patients, followed by opioids. Mortality rate was found to be 1%. Conclusion: Although the majority of poisoning cases are deliberate, however according to the type of pharmaceuticals involved in the poisonings and low-mortality rate, it is believed that the occurrence of the toxic events in many cases arises from impulsive behaviors originated from minor familial conflicts and incompetent life skills. Improving mental health and efficient coping skills can contribute to the reduction of intentional poisonings which in turn reduces the burden of hospital costs.
Highlights
Poisoning is regarded as a matter of concern for health providers as the burden of health resources loss can be high
In terms of intentional attempt, frequently attributed to the problems associated with industrialized world in which the alarming increase in drug abuse and the phenomenal growth in the prescriptions and subsequent overdoses with mood-altering drugs are closely intertwined as a means to response to stressful events with little desire to die [5,6,7]
Clinicoepidemiologic study of 766 intoxicated cases presented to the hospital revealed that the majority of toxic events were deliberate (95.2%), according to higher prevalence of low potent pharmaceuticals and low mortality rate (1%), it is concluded that the events in most cases originate from minor social incompetencies or family conflicts leading to an impulsive intake of drugs
Summary
Poisoning is regarded as a matter of concern for health providers as the burden of health resources loss can be high. Conclusion: the majority of poisoning cases are deliberate, according to the type of pharmaceuticals involved in the poisonings and low-mortality rate, it is believed that the occurrence of the toxic events in many cases arises from impulsive behaviors originated from minor familial conflicts and incompetent life skills. Clinicoepidemiologic study of 766 intoxicated cases presented to the hospital revealed that the majority of toxic events were deliberate (95.2%), according to higher prevalence of low potent pharmaceuticals and low mortality rate (1%), it is concluded that the events in most cases originate from minor social incompetencies or family conflicts leading to an impulsive intake of drugs. The persistent occurrence of deliberate self-poisoning poses an enormous challenge to health systems and would put limited resources at risk [7] As such of these evidences, the need for epidemiological studies should be regarded as highly important [11,12]
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