Adult Poisoning Cases in Ankara: Capital City of Turkey

Cemil Kavalci, Ali Demir, Engin Deniz Arslan, Fevzi Yilmaz, Tamer Durdu, Cihat Yel, Gülsüm Kavalci, Muhittin Serkan Yilmaz

Numune Training and Research Hospital, Emergency Department, Ankara, Turkey.
Yenimahalle State Hospital, Anesthesia Department, Ankara, Turkey.

DOI: 10.4236/ijcm.2012.37A129                

Abstract

Poisoning is the disruption of functions of a living organism by any agent. The aim of this study is to identify the clinical and demographic characteristics of intoxication cases admitted to the Numune Training and Research Hospital emergency department. Characteristics such as age and gender of the patients, intoxication agents, and the results (discharge, forwarding, hospitalization, death etc.) were recorded to the prepared form. Data were assessed with the SPSS 15.0 software package and expressed. Quantitative variables were summarised as mean ± standard deviation. Frequency and percent distribution were used for the evaluation of data. The chi-squared test was used for comparison of the quailtative variables. p < 0.05 was accepted significant. The mean age of the receiving 651 poisoned patients was 32.04 ± 12.24 years. Of them, 67.7% were female. The most causes of poisoning agents were a pharmaceuticals (79.4%), carbonmonoxide (8.9%) and alcohols (7.1%). Gastric lavage was performed in 76% patients. Activated charcoal was administered in 81% patients. Antidotes treatment was applied in 7.4% patients. Most patients were evaluated and then treated and discharged from the ED (91.9%).

Keywords

Emergency; Poisoning; Pharmaceuticals; Clinical and Demographic Characteristics

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	P. M. Wax, “History,” In: L. R. Goldfrank and N. E. Flomenbaum, Eds, Toxicologic Emergency, 6th Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2006, pp. 1-14.
[2]	H. A. Spiller, S. Appana and G. N. Brock, “Epidemiological Trends of Suicide Andattempted Suicide by Poisoning in the US: 2000-2008,” Legal Medicine, Vol. 12, No. 4, 2010, pp. 177-183. doi:10.1016/j.legalmed.2010.04.005
[3]	J. Kristinsson, R. Palsson, G. A. Gudjonsdott?r, M. Blondal, S. Gudmundsson and C. P. Snook, “Acute Poisonings in Iceland: A Prospective Nationwide Study,” Clinical Toxicology, Vol. 46, No. 2, 2008, pp. 126-132. doi:10.1080/15563650701438268
[4]	O. Lapatto-Reiniluoto, K. T. Kivist?, S. P. Sintonen, K. Luomanmaki and P. J. Neuvonen, “A Prospective Study of Acute Poisonings in Finnish Hospital Patients,” Human & Experimental Toxicology, Vol. 17, No. 6, 1998, pp. 307-311. doi:10.1191/096032798678908864
[5]	S. M. Lam, A. C. W. Lau and W. W. Yan, “Over 8 Years Experience on Severe Acute Poisoning Requiring Intensive Care in Hong Kong, China,” Human & Experimental Toxicology, Vol. 29, No. 9, 2010, pp. 757-765. doi:10.1177/0960327110361753
[6]	P. Chow, M. G. Tierney and G. E. Dickinson, “Acute Intoxications: Cases Presenting to an Adult Emergency Department,” Canadian Family Physician, Vol. 38, No. 38, 1992, pp. 1379-1382.
[7]	Y. Hanssens, D. Deleu and A. Taqi, “Etiologic and Demographic Characteristics of Poisoning: A Prospective Hospital-Based Study in Oman,” Clinical Toxicology, Vol. 39, No. 4, 2001, pp. 371-380. doi:10.1081/CLT-100105158
[8]	S. H. Thomas, L. Bevan, S. Bhattacharyya, M. G. Bramble, K. Chew, J. Connolly, et al., “Presentation of Poisoned Patients to Accident and Emergency Departments in the North of England,” Human & Experimental Toxicology, Vol. 15, No. 6, 1996, pp. 466-470. doi:10.1177/096032719601500602
[9]	S. Goksu, C. Yildirim, H. Kocoglu, A. Tutak and U. Oner, “Characteristics of Acute Adult Poisoning in Gaziantep, Turkey,” Clinical Toxicology, Vol. 40, No. 7, 2002, pp. 833-837. doi:10.1081/CLT-120016953
[10]	L. Avsarogullari, V. Senol, O. Akdur, A. Akin, P. Durukan and S. ?zkan, “Characteristics of Acute Adult Poisonings in a University Hospital Emergency Department in Central Turkey: A Three-Year Analysis, ” Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, Vol. 62, No. 2, 2012, pp. 129-133.
[11]	Z. ?zk?se and F. Ayoglu, “Etiological and Demographical Characteristics of Acute Adult Poisoning in Ankara, Turkey,” Human & Experimental Toxicology, Vol. 18, No. 10, 1999, pp. 614-618. doi:10.1191/096032799678839446
[12]	A. Pinar, J. Fowler and G. R. Bond, “Acute Poisoning in Izmir, Turkey—A Pilot Epidemiologic Study,” Clinical Toxicology, Vol. 31, No. 4, 1993, pp. 593-591. doi:10.3109/15563659309025764
[13]	A. Baydin, T. Yardan, D. Aygun, Z. Doganay, C. Nargis and O. Incealtin, “Retrospective Evaluation of Emergency Service Patients with Poisoning: A 3-Year Study,” Advances in Therapy, Vol. 22, No. 6, 2005, pp. 650-658. doi:10.1007/BF02849959
[14]	I. B. Tüfek?i, A. ?urgunlu and F. Sirin, “Characteristics of Acute Adult Poisoning Cases Admitted to a University Hospital in Istanbul,” Human & Experimental Toxicology, Vol. 23, No. 7, 2004, pp. 347-351. doi:10.1191/0960327104ht460oa
[15]	K. Hawton, J. Fagg and S. Simkin, “The Epidemiology of Attempted Suicide in the Oxford Area, England (1989-1992),” Crisis, Vol. 15, No. 3, 1994, pp. 123-135.
[16]	M. A. Bjornaas, K. E. Hovda, H. Mikalsen, E. Andrew, N. Rudberg, O. Ekeberg, et al., “Clinical vs. Laboratory Identification of Drugs of Abuse in Patients Admitted for Acute Poisoning,” Clinical Toxicology, Vol. 44, No. 2, 2006, pp. 127-134. doi:10.1080/15563650500514384
[17]	M. Islambulchilar, Z. Islambulchilar and M. H. Kargar-Maher, “Acute Adult Poisoning Cases Admitted to a University Hospital in Tabriz, Iran,” Human & Experimental Toxicology, Vol. 28, No. 4, 2009, pp. 185-190. doi:10.1177/0960327108099679
[18]	K. E. Hovda, M. A. Bjornaas, K. Skog, A. Opdahl, P. Drottning, O. Ekeberg, et al., “Acute Poisonings Treated in Hospitals in Oslo: A One-Year Prospective Study (I): Pattern of Poisoning,” Clinical Toxicology, Vol. 46, No. 1, 2008, pp. 35-41. doi:10.1080/15563650601185969
[19]	F. Le Pont, L. Letrilliart, V. Massari, Y. Dorléans, G. Thomas and A. Flahault, “Suicide and Attempted Suicide in France: Results of a General Practice Sentinel Network, 1999-2001,” British Journal of General Practice, Vol. 54, No. 501, 2004, pp. 282-284.
[20]	C. Kavalci, Y. ?evik, M. ?zer, P. Durukan, I. ?kizceli and G. Kavalci, “Characteristics of Poisoning Cases in Ankara, Turkey,” The Internet Journal of Emergency Medicine, Vol. 5, No. 1, 2009.
[21]	M. Pekdemir, M. Yiildiz, P. Durukan and C. Kavalci, “Evaluation of Adult Intoxication Cases Applied to Emergency Department,” Toksikoloji Dergisi, Vol. 2, 2004, pp. 41-48.
[22]	T. J. Wiegand, P. M. Wax, T, Schwartz, Y. Finkelstein, R. Gorodetsky and J. Brent, “On Behalf of the Toxicology Investigators Consortium Case Registry Investigators. The Toxicology Investigators Consortium Case Registry—The 2011 Experience,” Journal of Medical Toxicology, Vol. 8, No. 4, 2012, pp. 360-377.
[23]	C. Lund, B. Teige, P. Drottning, B. Stiksrud, T. O. Rui, M. Lyngra, O. Ekeberg, D. Jacobsen and K. E. Hovda, “A One-Year Observational Study of All Hospitalized and Fatal Acute Poisonings in Oslo: Epidemiology, Intention and Follow-Up,” BMC Public Health, Vol. 12, No. 2012, p. 858. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-12-858
[24]	M. Eddlestone, “Patterns and Problems of Deliberate Self-Poisoning in the Developing World,” QJM, Vol. 93, No. 11, 2000, pp. 715-731. doi:10.1093/qjmed/93.11.715
[25]	Y. Yurumez, P. Durukan, Y. Yavuz, I. Ikizceli, L. Avsarogullari, S. Ozkan, et al., “Acute Organophosphate Poisoning in University Hospital Emergency Room Patients,” Internal Medicine, Vol. 46, No. 13, 2007, pp. 965-969. doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.46.6304
[26]	M. Güven, M. Sungur, F. Tanr?verdi, B. Eser and Z. Keke?, “Evaluation of the Patients with Acute Intoxication,” Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol. 32, No. 2, 2002, pp. 169-172.
[27]	G. Seydaoglu, S. Satar and N. Alparslan, “Frequency and Mortality Risk Factors of Acute Adult Poisoning in Adana, Turkey, 1997-2002,” Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine, Vol. 72, No. 6, 2005, pp. 393-401.
[28]	N. E. Flomenbaum, L. R. Goldfrank, R. S. Hoffman, M. A. Howland, N. A. Lewin and L. S. Nilson, “Principles of Managing the Poisoned or Overdosed Patient,” In: L. R. Goldfrank and N. E. Flomenbaum, Toxicologic Emergency, 8th Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2006, pp. 42-50.