An overview of suspected and acute poisoning in Mater Dei Hospital

Abstract

An observational study was carried out to give a descriptive overview of acute poisoning in Mater Dei Hospital. The aim of the study was to investigate characteristics of patients with suspected acute poisoning by creating a database combining clinical and laboratory data. Clinical and laboratory data of 677 patients aged 14 years and over, presenting with suspected acute poisoning, over a nine month period in 2010 were gathered for analysis and graphical presentation. The peak age for males and females with acute poisoning was 20-29 years whilst another peak was observed for females in the 50-59 years group. Males predominated in the younger age groups (below 50 years). Out of 677 patients with suspected acute poisoning, 350/677 (52%) were diagnosed with acute poisoning and 327/677 (48%) were found to have an alternative diagnosis. The most common poison agents were prescription drugs, of which benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants were the most common (43% and 20% respectively). Opiates were the most commonly detected (59%) drug of abuse and paracetamol was the most commonly ingested analgesic (36.6%). None of the patients died in the hospital. 21% (73/350) and 5% (19/350) of patients with confirmed poisoning required a monitored bed and intensive care respectively. The study demonstrated trends in patient characteristics, commonly used agents and outcomes of patients with acute poisoning in the local setting.