Evaluation of access to drugs and toxins in poisoned patients admitted to the poisoning wards of Sina Hospital, Tabriz and the effect of these substances on the final condition of poisoned patients - during the year 1401

Abstract

Introduction: large number of poisoned patients with suicidal intenets refers to the emergency department in the hospital. Thereby, knowing how to access medicines and poisons will play an important role in early diagnosis of poisoning. Goal: The purpose of this study is to determine the access to drugs and poisons and also to investigate the effects on clinical symptoms and the final condition of poisoned patients admitted to Sina Hospital in Tabriz during the years 2022-2023. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 300 poisoned patients, between April to December 2022, at Sina Educational, Research and Treatment Center in Tabriz. Data was collected through interviewing the patient and studying the patients' files and was analyzed with the help of SPSS22 software. Results: Out of 300 hospitalized poisoned-patients, 262 cases were related to drug poisoning, and the majority of them were female (63%). 32% of the cases were in the age range between 25-34 years. 90% of them live in urban areas and 62% were married. The educational level of 33.3% patients were undergraduate. Intentional poisoning (suicide) was the most common type of poisoning (83.3%) and mainly (98%) through oral consumption. Most of the poisoned people, 39%, prepared the drugs from their own home or garden, and 90.7% of the poisoned people showed nervous symptoms. Benzodiazepine and opioids were the most common cause of poisoning. Finally, 3% of patients died.Conclusion: Most of the poisonings are intentional and due to the use of benzodiazepines and opium. It was reported that the most access to drugs and poisons was from the poisoned person's home or garden. Educational programs with more emphasis on preventive methods seem necessary for public awareness.