BackgroundDrug overdose, either accidental or intentional, is the most common cause of acute poisoning worldwide.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological profile of drug poisoning recorded in the south east of Morocco and to identify the proportion of intentional versus accidental drug overdose.MethodsThis was an epidemiological study of 180 cases of medicinal poisoning registered with the Provincial Delegation of Health in Errachidia between January 2004 and December 2016. Information on demographic and drug overdose characteristics was obtained from the regional poison center. Drugs were categorized according to the anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) classification system.ResultsAdults were the most affected group, with a median age of 21 years and a sex ratio of three females to every male. Drug poisoning mainly occurred in urban areas (83% of cases). Regarding clinical signs, 55.2% of patients presented with digestive signs and 27.6% with neurological signs. Other signs were also present: respiratory (5.1%), combined neurological and digestive (4.5%), cardiovascular (3.8%), and general (3.8%). Women represented 88.9% of those who had intentionally overdosed and 64.3% of those who had unintentionally overdosed. Benzodiazepine derivatives and other related drugs were involved in 21.5% of cases of drug poisoning, with other drugs found in patients with drug overdose as follows: paracetamol 3.3%, ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel 5%, and cyproheptadine 1.6%.ConclusionOur results indicate that the number of reported cases of drug poisoning in south-east Morocco increased between 2004 and 2016. The intentional use of drugs in overdose was mostly  among adults, especially women. The drugs involved were predominantly psycholeptic drugs, followed by analgesics. Mortality was low, but investigation in a representative sample will show  the real severity and outcomes of drug overdoses.

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in males and the second in female, with an estimated 1, 4 million cases and 693,900 deaths occurring in 20121. The aim of this study is to determine the epidemiological characteristics of colorectal cancer in Morocco. This is a descriptive retrospective study of colorectal cancer cases diagnosed and treated at Al Azhar Oncology Center in Rabat between 2005 and 2015. During the period of study, there were 641 cases diagnosed with colorectal cancer; 371 (57, 9%) were men and 270 (42, 1%) were women, there was 54 deaths among which 63% were men and 37% were women. The average age of patients with colorectal cancer was 56 ± 14.6 years whereas the average age of death was 53, 8 ± 13, 7 years. The maximum of frequency for this kind of cancer was between the age of 40 and 59 years old. The study also showed that there was no association between the age and the risk of the death. Despite the limitations of the available data, it is clear that there are several barriers to access to cancer control in developing countries. This includes prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment.

The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiological characteristics of lung cancer in Morocco. This is a descriptive retrospective analysis of lung cancer cases, diagnosed and treated at Al Azhar Oncology Center in Rabat over a period of 11 years, between 2005 and 2015. Among the 615 cases that were diagnosed with lung cancer at Al Azhar Oncology Center, 85.85% were male and 14.15% female, the mean age of men with lung cancer was 59.8 ± 11.2 years while that of women was 58.6 ± 12 years. During the study period, there were 129 deaths from this type of cancer, of which 89.9% were men and 10.08% were women. The maximum frequency of death was observed in patients aged between 40 and 60 years with 54.80%. Of all diagnosed cases, 2.40% were diagnosed with metastatic disease. The majority of patients received chemotherapy treatment with 47%, followed by patients who received radiotherapy with 42.3%. On the other hand, the study shows that there is an association between the risk of progression to death and smoking. Lung cancer is dreaded especially in the male population with a high number of cases and lethality as well as a poor prognosis.

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