Pattern of Mortality Due to Poisoning by Drugs and Chemical Agents in Hamadan, Iran, 2005-2007

Background and ObjectivesAcute poisoning is an important medical emergency and in some cases one of the causes of death. This study evaluates pattern of deaths due to the drug and chemical poisoning. MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of all the patients who were referred to Farshchian Hospital poison center in Hamadan, Iran over a period of two years from 2005 to 2007 and had died due to poisoning complications. The information from this study (demographic data, clinical signs and toxicological tests) was gathered and analyzed by using T and chi-square tests.ResultsFrom 2920 patients who were referred to hospital due to poisoning, 111 (3.8%) patients died due to poisoning complications. The mortality rate in males was higher than females (M:F: 5:1). The average age was 40.5 years, and most of the mortalities were seen among the age range of 21-30 years. Deliberate self-poisoning was found to be the most frequent cause of death (52.2%) with the female: male ratio of 2:1(p=0.001). Opium and opium derivatives were the most common cause of death (45.9%). Pulmonary complications were the most frequently cause of death (56.7%).ConclusionThe results show high frequency of using opium and opium derivatives in suicide in Hamadan, Iran. This data suggest that opium and opium derivatives are easily accessible to general population.Keywords: Poisoning; Mortality; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Chemicals; Analgesics, Opioids; Narcotics; Hamadan, Iran.