Abstract
Objective:Drug poisoning is a globally common cause of emergency-room admissions. This study explores drug-poisoning prevalence patterns, associated risk factors (gender, age and exposure circumstances), and outcomes in western Saudi Arabia.Methods:Retrospective analysis of Clinical drug poisoning cases (2011-2016). The data were retrieved from the Saudi Ministry of Health’s record and Patients’ medical charts were analyzed.Results:The Ministry of Health received 1,474 reports of drug poisoning during 2011–2016. More than half involved females (n=885, 60%) or young children (0-4 years old) (n=764, 51.8%) and occurred accidentally (n=786, 53.3%); almost all had an oral route of poisoning (n=1,466, 99.5%). The cases most frequently involved analgesic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (n=373, 25.2%); antiepileptic, antipsychotic, psychoactive, and anxiolytic drugs (n=229, 16.3%); antihistamine, asthma, flu, and cough drugs (n=157, 12.0%); and antibiotic, anti-fungal; and antiprotozoal drugs (n=74, 5.0%). Antidotes were administered in only 2.2% of cases, and no deaths were reported.Conclusion:The drug poisoning cases involved females and young children (younger than 5 years old) and the most cases were accidental, and the most commonly used drugs were analgesics (Panadol), followed by antipsychotics, antihistamines, and antiepileptics (Tegretol).
Highlights
Over the past four decades, the field of pharmacy and drug therapy has seen a lot of developments, which have resulted in significant improvements in patient care, but at the same time, an increasing rate of drug-related problems accounts for an estimated
Three studies were conducted in Jeddah, in 1990,1998, and 2014.5 The present study focused on the prevalence of the drug overdose and poisoning, associated risk factors, and outcomes to assess the magnitude of this health problem and to provide healthcare policy-makers with evidence to develop strategies to reduce and prevent this health problem
The authors collected and reviewed all the patient records of poisoning caused by drug overdose in January 2011–March 2016 from the Ministry of Health in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Summary
Over the past four decades, the field of pharmacy and drug therapy has seen a lot of developments, which have resulted in significant improvements in patient care, but at the same time, an increasing rate of drug-related problems accounts for an estimated. 5%-10% of hospital admissions.[1,2,3] A drug-related problem is defined as “an event or circumstance involving drug therapy that or potentially interferes with desired health outcomes.”[1,2,4] Major drug-related problems include drug overdose and poisoning, which have started to attract international concern due to rising mortality and morbidity rates.[5] Several studies have reported that drug poisoning is a major cause of emergency department (ER) admissions, with various incidences across countries, regions, socioeconomic status, and cultures.[2,5,6,7] In the United States, almost 1.1 million patients were admitted to ERs for drug poisoning over a three-years period, resulting in an estimated 34.5 overdose cases per 10,000 persons.[8]. Three studies were conducted in Jeddah, in 1990,1998, and 2014.5 The present study focused on the prevalence of the drug overdose and poisoning, associated risk factors (gender, age and exposure circumstances), and outcomes to assess the magnitude of this health problem and to provide healthcare policy-makers with evidence to develop strategies to reduce and prevent this health problem
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