Epidemiologic study of poisonings in patients reffering to emergency ward of Shahid Mohammadi university hospital in Bandar Abbas

Introduction: Poisoning is a major health problem worldwide and one of the most common reasons for visiting emergency departments (EDs). The object of this study was to determine the epidemiological characteristics of poisoned patients referred to emergency department of Bandar Abbas Shahid-Mohammadi hospital in 2011-2012. Methods: In a cross-sectional study between March 2011 and February 2012 all the paitents admitted through ED for further evaluation and treatment were investigated. Data were gathered from direct interviewing and patient’s medical files by using a checklist and analyzed by SPSS version 16 using descriptive statistical tests, Chi-Square and t-test. Results: Poisonings comprised 3.6% of emergency department patients. During the study period, 493 patients with drug or chemical exposure were admitted. Of them, 52.1% were male and 47.9% were female. 75.7% were between the ages of 14-29 years. Benzodiazepines (23.1%) followed by Tramadol (20.1%) were the most common cause of poisonings. Intentional poisonings constituted the majority of cases (67%). The mean age of suicidal cases was lower (23.3 vs 30.3). The majority of patients were single (52.9%), unemployed (58.4%) and living in urban centers (75.3%). 26% of patients had a diagnosed psychiatric disease, 13% had previous suicidal self-poisoning and 32.3% were addicted. 2.2% of patients were died during hospital stay. Conclusion: In this study, poisonings most commonly occur as intentional and mostly by pharmaceutical agents. The prevalence was higher in younger individuals than other groups. According to these findings, the authorities have to prevent its further occurance by screening of psychiatric diseases in poisoning cases and early treatment of them, as well as limiting easy availability of drugs.