Evaluating the Course of Vital Signs in Poisoned Patients with Opioid Drugs During Hospitalization and Its Relationship with Epidemiological Variables

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Toxicology, Clinical Toxicology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 Medical Student, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Professor, Department of Clinical Toxicology, Clinical Toxicology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Opioid poisoning has a high prevalence in Iran. Due to the significant mortality rate of opioid intoxication, recognizing the vital signs in these patients can help with early diagnosis and treatment.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data of opioid-poisoned patients, including personal information, type of poisoning, vital signs upon arrival, and 3 and 6 hours after admission, was collected and analyzed.
Findings: In this study, 204 patients poisoned with opioids were examined, including 150 (73.5%) men and 54 (26.5%) women. The average age of the patients was 37.28 ± 16.62 years, with the most common cause of hospitalization being methadone and tramadol poisoning. A significant difference was found between the average systolic blood pressure at the time of admission and the type of opioids (P = 0.035). No significant relationship was observed between the mean vital signs of men and women who used opioids at different hours. However, a significant relationship was seen between the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures on arrival and the respiration rate at 3 and 6 hours, as well as the percentage of arterial blood oxygen saturation at arrival and 3 hours after hospitalization, based on the history of addiction and whether naloxone was received.
Conclusion: The results of the present study show that in opioid abuse, the vital signs of patients of all ages and both sexes are often within the normal range.

Highlights

Gholamali Dorooshi: Google Scholar, PubMed

Rokhsareh Meamar: Google Scholar, PubMed

Nastaran Eizadi-Mood: Google Scholar, PubMed

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 43, Issue 803
3rd Week, April
March and April 2025
Pages 72-78

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History

  • Receive Date: 08 July 2024
  • Accept Date: 08 April 2025

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