MALE POISONING IN ALEXANDRIA POISON CENTER: PATTERNS AND CLINICAL OUTCOME

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 forensic medicine and clinical toxicology, faculty of medicine, Egypt

2 faculty of medicine ,Alexandria university

3 Community medicine department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University

4 Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University

Abstract

Background: Poisoning remains a significant public health concern, particularly among males. This study aimed to investigate the pattern and outcome of poisoning among male patients admitted to Alexandria Poison Center (APC) throughout three successive years (between 2020 and 2022). Methodology: A retrospective observational hospital record-based study was conducted. Results: A total of 11777 male patients were recruited in the study. The mode of poisoning in most male patients was accidental poisoning in all years and it is accounted mainly in children. The children’s main poisoning was by corrosive and hydrocarbons. Ingestion was the most common route of exposure in the three years, The most common type of poisoning cases reported was pesticides (14.13%, 18.36%, and 17.06%), followed by alcohol (14.05%, 16.69%, 15.98%)) and corrosives (11.72%, 9.48%, 10.27%) for 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. Unknown poisoning ranged from 16.8% to 28.63% in all years. An observed rising trend of animal envenomation, hydrocarbon and CNS poisoning was noticed throughout years. More than 80% of the admitted cases in the three years were discharged after improvement with hospitalization period ranged from 1-3 days. Complications reported among 3.61% of patients in 2020 and 2.5% in 2022. Mortality of the admitted males was the highest in 2020 (1.75%). A statistically significant relation was detected between the type of poison and the death in the three years (PMC< 0.001) and between the circumstances of poisoning and the outcome (P< 0.001). The relation between the age and circumstances was statistically significant with children dominating in accidental poisoning and adults for suicidal poisoning through all the years. The relation between age and duration of hospitalization showed statistically significant difference where the adult’s duration was shorter than all other age groups. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the ongoing public health challenge posed by poisoning, particularly among specific demographic groups. To effectively address this issue, it is crucial to implement targeted prevention strategies, improve access to healthcare, and raise awareness about the dangers of poisoning. Future research should explore the underlying factors contributing to poisoning incidents and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing their occurrence.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics