Evaluating the Changes and the Trend in Cases With Acute Poisoning Admitted to the Emergency Unit in Sari, Iran

Background: Poisoning and drug overdoses are considered a health problem in modern countries. In this study, we assessed the pattern of poisoning and drug overdoses at Imam Khomeini hospital in Sari city, the northern region of Iran. Methods: To assess the pattern and circumstances of poisoning, the patients’ information who were referred to the emergency unit with acute toxic poisoning over four years were randomly obtained retrospectively from their medical records. Results: A total of 1,646 patients were analyzed. The highest rate of poisonings was related to suicidal intentions and mostly occurred at age of 18 to 35 years and in females. Medications were the principal groups of poisons involved (53.15%), including benzodiazepines as the most common agents (30.3%), followed by multiple medications (25.5%) and opioids (10%). Organophosphate compounds (3%), aluminum and zinc phosphide (2.7%), and rodenticide (1.7%) were also among the commonly used poisons; however, they were the main leading cause of overdose deaths. Thirty patients (1.8%) died in total, and death was caused most commonly by zinc and aluminum phosphide (8 cases), followed by opioids (6 cases) and rodenticide (4 cases). Conclusion: The high prevalence of intentional overdoses and mortality among young adults requires considerable attention, and further surveys are needed to address the fundamental underlying causes. More restrictive regulations and increasing public awareness regarding the role of centers providing information about poisoning available in the region can assist to prevent the development of this public health problem.