Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

Background and Objective: Acute poisoning is one of the most common reasons for emergency department visits around the world. The knowledge of the pattern of poisoning would help to identify the risk factors and allow early diagnosis. The current study aimed to examine the pattern of acute poisoning in cases referred to the emergency department of Ali-ebn Abi Taleb Hospital of Rafsanjan.

Materials and Methods: In this cross - sectional study 260 cases of poisoning referred to the emergency department of Ali-ebn Abi Taleb Hospital of Rafsanjan from October 2013 to September 2014 were evaluated. Information were collected using the self-made checklist through interviews with patients and review medical records file. Data were analyzed using chi-square or Fisher's exact tests.

Results: The mean age of patients was 23.10±15.16 years and most of them were in the age group 11-30 years, male, single, Iranian and residence in urban areas. Most cases (58.1%) of poisonings were intentional. Drugs, methadone, pesticide and opium were the most common cause of poisonings, respectively. Intentional poisoning was significantly more common among age group 11-30 years, women and patients with a history of psychiatric disorders and a history of previous poisoning (p<0.05). The majority of accidental poisoning (68.3%) was found in children less than 10 years and the most common cause of accidental poisoning was methadone. The fatality rate was 1.9% and pesticides were responsible for 60% of deaths.

Conclusion: Given the higher prevalence of intentional poisoning, it is essential to take the necessary steps in order to identify the causes and prevention of suicide in high-risk groups. High prevalence of accidental poisoning with methadone indicates that more attention needed by training on how to distribute and maintain methadone.

Key words: Acute poisoning, Suicide, Emergency, Epidemiology

Funding: This research was funded by Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences.

Conflict of interest: None declared.

Ethical approval: The Ethics Committee of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences approved the study.

How to cite this article: Torkashvand F, Sheikh Fathollahi M, Shamsi S, Kamali M, Rezaeian M. Evaluating the Pattern of Acute Poisoning in Cases Referred to the Emergency Department of Ali-ebn Abi Taleb Hospital of Rafsanjan from October 2013 to September 2014. J RafsanjanUniv Med Sci 2015 14(4): 311-24. [Farsi]