Demographic Factors, Duration of Hospitalization, Costs of Hospitalization, and Cause of Death in Patients Intoxicated with Amphetamines and Opioids

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

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

3 Assisstant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

4 Associate Professor, Department of Legal Medicine , School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

5 Resident, Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Poisoning is one of the most important medical emergencies. In recent years, prevalence of poisoning with opioids and stimulants, such as amphetamines, especially among young people is rising. In this study we investigated demographic factors, duration of hospitalization, costs of hospitalization, and cause of death in patients intoxicated with amphetamines and opioids.Methods: This study was a prospective descriptive– analysis study. The sampeling was census of patients intoxicated with amphetamines and opioids alone or combined, who reffered to toxicology ward of Aliasghar hospital, Iran.Findings: During 6 months, among 2325 patients who referred to toxicology ward, 542 patients (23.3%) consumed amphetamines (98 patients used opioids, 419 patients used amphetamines, and 25 patients used both of them). The mean age of patients in three groups was not significantly different. Most patients were male in all three groups. The most route of consumption was orally in opioid group (74.5%) and inhalation in amphetamine group (42.9%). The most cause of poisoning was intentional. Vital signs in the admission time in the three groups were normal, but in the amphetamine group, the average of heart rate, body temperature, respiratory rate and blood pressure was slightly higher than opioid group. 4 patients were died totally and the outcome was not significantly different between groups.The mean age of died patients was sigmificantly higher than two alive patients. The duration of hospitalization was higher in patients who died.Conclusion: According to our results intoxication with amphetamines and opioids was seen in young men more than other groups. Therefor control and prevention of consumption of opioids or amphetamines in this this group is an important way to reduce this kind of intoxication.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 29, Issue 146 - Serial Number 146
May and June 2011
Pages 890-900

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History

  • Receive Date: 07 August 2011
  • Revise Date: 01 November 2024
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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