Study on the causes and clinical features among methadone poisoned patients admitted to the Sina hospital, Tabriz: During the years 2018—2019

Abstract

Background: Poisoning with Methadone is most common and considering that the prevalence of methadone poisoning is high in our country and no recent study in the late seven years has not been conducted regarding the causes and symptoms of methadone poisoning in East Azerbaijan, Iran. Aim: This study was to investigate the prevalence, causes and symptoms of methadone poisoning who were treated at the Sina hospital Tabriz. Methods & Materials: In the present descriptive cross-sectional study, data was collected through referring to all patients with methadone poisoning and for this reason questionnaire forms that included demographic and social characteristics and clinical finding were completed. Also upon consent of patients for participation in the study, the questionnaire was completed by an interview on the bedside. The collected data was analyzed through SPSS and descriptive analysis (frequency/mean). Results: During this period, 76 cases of methadone poisoned patients were hospitalized. the results showed that 71 patients (91.4%) were men. Mean age was 33.55 +/- 11.60. The education level of 39.5% was a diploma or under diploma. The economic status of patients was mostly low (expenses more than income) (56.6%). The most prevalent of patient’s symptoms were nausea in 41 cases (53.9%), dyspnea in 37 cases (48.7%), loss of consciousness in 50 (68.8%) and drowsiness in 36 cases (47.4%). Cardiovascular symptoms in patients were tachycardia (10.5%) and hypertension (5.3%) respectively and ocular symptoms were blurredness in 26 patients (34.2%) and miosis in 17 patients (22.4%). Conclusion: By considering the results of this study and demonstrated that the prevalence of methadone poisoning is higher among men with lower education especially under diploma level and also among those patients with low income or poor economic status. Thereby, we conclude that the endeavors for increasing the social awareness should focus more on this group of patients.