Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to report the pattern of patients with acute intoxication in an academic emergency department (ED). Method: The study included 180 patients with acute intoxication who admitted to the Research Hospital of Yozgat Bozok University in Yozgat. Turkey between January 2018 and January 2019. The demographic features, arrival mode, intoxication type, intent status, requested consultations, and disposition forms were retrospectively evaluated based on the patient files.

Results: Acute toxic exposure was detected in a total of 180 patients during the study period. The male/female ratio was 0.68 (73/107). The median age was 26 ranging between 3 and 89. The most common acute toxic exposure presentations were due to drugs (57.2%, n = 103), venomous animal/insect bites (16.1%, n = 29) and toxic gas inhalation (13.9%, n = 25). Toxic gas inhalation included inhalations of carbon monoxide (11.7%, n = 21) and vapor of hydrochloric acid (2.2%, n = 4). The rest of the presentations (19.4%, n = 35) were due to food poisoning (7.8%, n = 14), alcohol intoxication (3.9%, n = 7) and ingested toxic agents (1.1%, n = 2). No illicit drug use was observed. Almost half of the toxic exposures (51.7%, n = 93) were considered as unintentional whereas 77.7% (n = 93) of drug intoxication cases were intentional suicidal attempts. At least one consultation was requested for 126 patients. Two or more consultations were performed for 19 patients. The most consulted division was Internal medicine (48.9%, n = 115). The most common drug intoxications were due to analgesics (24.3%, n = 25) and antidepressants (23.3%, n = 24).

Conclusion: Acute toxicity is not limited to drug poisoning. It is not a rare reason for ED admission with its many sub-headings

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