Retrospective Analysis of the Intoxication Cases Applied to the Emergency Service

Abstract

Objectives: Together with the development of the modern technology, the new chemicals and pharmaceuticals entering our lives expose the humankind more and more to these agents. Our aim to conduct this study was to determine the types and causes of frequent intoxication cases applying to our emergency service, the required treatment and patient care methods by analyzing the patient files and to raise an awareness about intoxications. Materials and Methods:Our study was a retrospective study prior to which the necessary permissions were obtained from Namık Kemal University Ethical Council of Non-Invasive Clinical Researches. Besides the demographic attributes of the patients, the mode of intoxication (accidentally, suicidal), how the intoxication happened (drugs, pesticides, detergent), consultation information (if any), requirement of antidote for treatment, the patients' being outpatient or hospitalized were determined and analyzed statistically.Results: A total of 58 patients were included in our study. The age average of the included patients were 34.05 ± 15.22. Among the patients, 38 (65.5%) were female while 20 (34.5%) were male. 75.9% (44) of the cases were suicidal, and 24.1% ( 14) happened accidentally. There was previous psychiatric history in 27.6% (16) of the patients while there was no previous psychiatric history in 72.4% (42). Among the patients with previous psychiatric history, 15 (93.7%) of the intoxications were suicide attempt, while 29 (69%) of the patients without previous psychiatric history were suicide attempt. The difference obtained from the comparison of psychiatric history and intoxication type was statistically significant. Conclusion:Intoxication cases apply to the emergency service with various reasons and frequencies. We presume that supporting and developing the emergency service in terms of knowledge and equipment will contribute to the medical care and prognosis of the toxicology patients