RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of each poisoning and its related death in our center as a sample of Tehran in six consecutive years (2006 to 2011). METHODS: All poisoned children and adults referring to Loghman-Hakim hospital poison center and hospitalized in the study period were enrolled and evaluated. RESULTS: In 108,265 patients, the most common causes of poisoning were anti-epileptics and sedative-hypnotics (22.3%). The most common causes of death were pesticides (24.84%) and narcotics (24.75%). In drugs of abuse, opium was more prevalent in the early period of the study but was replaced by methadone later. CONCLUSION: It seems that national policies for drug control and prevention of suicide have not been efficient enough. We expect to see Iran in the first 50 countries with regard to suicide and to maintain the first place in narcotic abuse if enough attention is not provided.
Asunto(s)
Anticonvulsivantes/envenenamiento , Sobredosis de Droga/epidemiología , Hipnóticos y Sedantes/envenenamiento , Narcóticos/envenenamiento , Plaguicidas/envenenamiento , Intoxicación/epidemiología , Adolescente , Adulto , Estudios Transversales , Sobredosis de Droga/mortalidad , Femenino , Humanos , Irán/epidemiología , Masculino , Metadona/envenenamiento , Opio/envenenamiento , Intoxicación/mortalidad , Prevalencia , Estudios Retrospectivos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Some recent studies have suggested a lower risk of fatal intoxications in drug-dependent patients under buprenorphine compared to methadone treatment. METHODS: Epidemiological reference data for the Munich region suggest that in 2003 approximately 10 % of all substitution patients were treated with buprenorphine, and 87 % with methadone. We studied the proportion of patients under methadone and buprenorphine substitution among drug-related deaths. Data from forensic post-mortem and toxicological analysis were analyzed. RESULTS: Data indicate that in 96 (35 %) of all 272 so-called drug deaths, methadone was involved compared to a single case of buprenorphine, possibly indicating a relatively better risk profile of buprenorphine. DISCUSSION: More prospective studies are necessary to assess the risk of fatal intoxications under different substitution regimens.