In patients with coma due to acute poisoning, withholding intubation improved clinical outcomes.

SOURCE CITATION: Freund Y, Viglino D, Cachanado M, et al. Effect of noninvasive airway management of comatose patients with acute poisoning: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2023;330:2267-2274. 38019968.

Clinical presentation and management of methanol poisoning outbreaks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Acute methanol intoxication, whether unintentional or deliberate, necessitates prompt intervention to prevent severe morbidity and mortality. Homemade alcoholic beverages are a frequent source of such poisoning. This retrospective analysis examined two outbreaks of methanol intoxication in Saudi Arabia. It investigated the clinical presentation, implemented management strategies, and any lasting complications (sequelae) associated with these cases. The aim was to assess the potential impact of different treatment modalities and the timeliness of their initiation on patient outcomes. METHODS: This was a retrospective case series of methanol poisoning cases which presented to the adult emergency department (ED) at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. There were two separate outbreaks in the city, the first one was from September 1 to September 10, 2020 and the second one was from May 14 to May 20, 2021. Electronic charts were reviewed, and data were extracted to previously prepared data extraction sheets. RESULT: From the 22 patients who arrived in the ED alive, the most common complaints were nausea or vomiting followed by altered level of consciousness. About 9% from the patient were hypotensive, 36% were tachycardic, 41% were tachypneic and 4% were having SpO2 < 94%. Brain CT was abnormal in 6 patients. Vision impairment was the most common sequalae of methanol poisoning (7 out of 12 patients who were assessed by ophthalmologist, 58%). When the patients were divided based on severity (mild, moderate, severe), nausea or vomiting and loss of consciousness were the most common complaints among the moderate group while loss of consciousness predominated in the severe group. Two patients presented with low blood pressure and were in the sever group. The severe group had a mean Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 8. Most of the patients in the severity groups underwent the same management apart from those who died or deposited. Eight patients in the severe group had to be intubated. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the multifaceted clinical presentation of methanol poisoning, culminating in a 17.4% mortality rate. Notably, our findings emphasize the critical role of prompt diagnosis and swift initiation of combined fomepizole therapy and hemodialysis in mitigating mortality and minimizing the potential for chronic visual sequelae associated with methanol poisoning.

Clinical Profile and Outcome of Organophosphorus Poisoning in a Tertiary Hospital.

Organophosphorus compound (OPC) poisoning is common in Bangladesh. The toxicity of the agent and paucity of appropriate medical services has resulted in high mortality rates. To find out the clinical profile and outcome of OPC poisoning patients is the main aim of my study. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh from September 2016 to November 2018. In this study, mean age of the study subjects was 25.90±11.24 years. Males (70.8%) were predominant than female (29.2%). In this study, most of the poisoning was done by ingestion (98.3%) and only two (1.7%) by inhalation. Regarding features, most muscarinic effect was constricted pupil and bronchospasm (65.0%). Common nicotinic effect was fasciculation (25.0%) and central effect was headache (61.67%). Mean amount of OPC ingestion was 26.30±17.24 ml in this study. Regarding circumstances of poisoning, familial disharmony (38.3%) and quarrel with other family members (37.5%) were the major reason followed by failure of personal affairs (15.0%) and other reasons (9.2%). Regarding complications, aspiration pneumonia was found in 6.7% cases, cardiac arrhythmia was in 6.7% cases and intermediate syndrome was in 1.7% cases. Most of the study subjects (95.0%) recovered fully. Most of the patients were from rural area. Suicidal was the common motive and familial disharmony and quarrel with other family members are the common circumstances of poisoning. Mortality rate was 5.0%.

Grado de cumplimiento de los indicadores de calidad según el sexo del paciente en las intoxicaciones agudas en urgencias / Adherence to quality indicators for emergency department treatment of acute poisoning according to patient sex

Objetivos. Estudiar las diferencias dependiendo del sexo en la atención de pacientes con intoxicaciones agudas en urgencias y en el grado de cumplimiento de los indicadores de calidad (IC). Método. Estudio observacional y retrospectivo, que incluyó todos los casos de intoxicación aguda de pacientes mayores de 14 años atendidos en el servicio de urgencias de un hospital terciario durante 4 años. Se analizaron variables demográficas, tipo de tóxicos y causa de la intoxicación, el grado de cumplimiento de los IC y destino al alta. Resultados. Se registraron 1.144 casos, un 62,1% (n = 710) eran mujeres. Las mujeres tuvieron mayor número de intoxicaciones voluntarias (52,3% vs 41,4%; p < 0,001) y menos de manera accidental (24,9% vs 30,3%; p = 0,047). Los fármacos más frecuentes en mujeres fueron las benzodiacepinas (49,6% vs 41,2%; p = 0,007), y las intoxicaciones por drogas de abuso y alcohol fueron menores que en hombres. Hubo un alto grado de cumplimiento en la mayoría de los IC (> 85%) en ambos sexos. Conclusiones. El perfil epidemiológico de la intoxicación aguda en mujeres es diferente al de los hombres. En general se puede considerar como óptimo el cumplimiento de los IC en urgencias. No existen diferencias cualitativas en la asistencia del paciente intoxicado con respecto a su sexo. (AU)

Objective. To study differences in the emergency department treatment of acute poisoning according to biological sex of patients and to assess adherence to care quality indicators. Methods. Retrospective observational study including all cases of acute poisoning diagnosed in patients over the age of 14 years treated in a tertiary care hospital emergency department over a period of 4 years. We analyzed demographic variables, substance type and reason for acute poisoning, degree of adherence to quality indicators, and discharge destination. Results. A total of 1144 cases were included; 710 patients (62.1%) were female and 434 (37.9%) were male. The proportion of deliberate self-poisoning was higher in females (52.3% vs 41.4% in males; P < .001); unintentional poisoning was less frequent in females (in 24.9% vs in 30.3% of males; P = .047). Benzodiazepine poisoning was more frequent in females (in 49.6% vs 41.2%; P = .007). Street drug and alcohol poisoning was less common in females. Adherence to quality indicators was high (> 85%) for both sexes. Conclusions. The epidemiologic profile of poisoning is different in females and males. General emergency department adherence to quality indicators can be considered optimal. We detected no qualitative sex-related differences in the care of patients with acute poisoning. (AU)

Drogas de abuso asociadas a las intoxicaciones agudas: descripción global y análisis de las diferencias en mujeres atendidas en el servicio de urgencias / Street drugs associated with acute poisoning: description and analysis of differences in women attended in a hospital emergency department

Objetivos. La prevalencia del uso de drogas de abuso es difícil de establecer en mujeres, debido a los estigmas asociados a ello. El objetivo principal fue analizar las posibles diferencias de las intoxicaciones agudas (IA) según el sexo en una muestra de pacientes atendidos en dos servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH). El objetivo secundario fue identificar las variables asociadas a las intoxicaciones graves, definidas de forma arbitraria como las que requerían una atención intensiva médica de más de 12 horas y posterior ingreso hospitalario. Métodos. Estudio retrospectivo en dos SUH que incluyeron pacientes mayores de 18 años atendidos por IA por drogas de abuso, en el periodo comprendido entre el 1 de julio 2020 y el 31 de julio 2023. Se recogieron variables epidemiológicas, clínicas y de laboratorio. Resultados. Se incluyeron 1.032 pacientes, un 18,5% (191) mujeres. La edad media fue de 35 (DE 10) años, con elevada prevalencia de enfermedad mental aguda (32,2%) e infección por VIH (35,7%). El principal motivo de consumo fue lúdico (90,9%). Las principales drogas de abuso fueron cocaína, alcohol y metanfetaminas. El análisis multivariado mostró que únicamente la edad (OR: 1,03, IC 95%: 1,01-1,05, p = 0,003), el VIH (OR: 2,10, IC 95%: 1,29-3,41, p = 0,003), el consumo de benzodiacepinas (OR: 3,48, IC 95%: 2,14-5,66, p < 0,0001), y la ideación autolítica (OR: 1,82, IC 95%: 1,25-3,79, p = 0,004), se asociaron a gravedad de la intoxicación. Conclusiones. Las IA por drogas de abuso en mujeres presentan algunas diferencias en relación a las de los hombres, ya que son más jóvenes y asocian consumo de alcohol con mayor frecuencia. Las campañas de prevención y políticas sanitarias sobre el uso de sustancias deberían tener en cuenta las diferencias en el consumo según el sexo para adaptarlas a la población a las que vayan dirigidas. (AU)

Background. The prevalence of street drug abuse is difficult to establish in women because of stigma associated withthe practice. The main objective of this study was to analyze possible differences between men and women in a sample of patients attended for emergencies due to acute poisonings. The secondary aim was to identify variables associated with severe poisonings defined arbitrarily as requiring intensive care for more than 12 hours after hospital admission. Methods. Retrospective study in 2 hospital EDs. We included patients over the age of 18 years attended for street drug poisonings between July 1, 2020, and July 31, 2023. Epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory variables were analyzed. Results. A total of 1032 patients were studied; 191 (18.5%) were women. The mean (SD) age was 35 years, and the prevalences of acute mental illness and HIV infection were high at 32.2% and 35.7%, respectively. Drug use was recreational in most cases (90.9%). Cocaine, alcohol, and methamphetamines were the substances most often used. Multivariate analysis showed that the factors associated with the seriousness of poisoning were age, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.03 (95% CI, 1.01-1.05; P = .003); HIV (OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.29-3.41; P = .003); use of benzodiazepines (OR, 3.48; 95% CI, 2.14-5.66; P < .0001); and suicidal ideations (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.25-3.79; P = .004). Conclusions. Differences in poisoning characteristics in women were found, probably related to the younger ages of men in the sample and their higher frequency of alcohol consumption. Public health policies and campaigns to prevent drug abuse should take gender differences into consideration in order to adapt messages to the target populations. (AU)

Caracterización clínica y factores predictivos de desarrollo de síndrome neurológico tardío en la intoxicación por monóxido de carbono: estudio AMICO / Clinical features and predictors of delayed neurological syndrome in carbon monoxide poisoning: the AMICO study

Objetivos. Identificar factores pronósticos de desarrollo de síndrome neurológico tardío (SNT) después de un episodio inicial de intoxicación por monóxido de carbono (ICO), con el fin detectar precozmente a la población más susceptible y facilitar su acceso a un seguimiento específico. Métodos. Revisión retrospectiva de todos los casos de ICO que acudieron a los servicios de urgencias (SU) de 4 hospitales durante los últimos 10 años. Se analizaron datos demográficos y características clínicas en el momento del episodio. En la cohorte de pacientes con datos de seguimiento disponibles, se evaluó la aparición de SNT y su relación con diferentes variables en la exposición inicial al CO a través de técnicas de análisis multivariante. Resultados. Se identificaron 240 pacientes. La mediana de edad fue de 36,2 años (17,6-49,6). De ellos 108 (45,0%) eran hombres y 223 casos (92,9%) fueron accidentales. El nivel medio de COHb fue del 12,7% (6,2-18,7). En 44 (18,3%) episodios se disponía de datos de un seguimiento específico. En esta cohorte, 11 (25%) pacientes desarrollaron SNT. Una puntuación inicial más baja en la Escala Coma de Glasgow (GCS) (OR: 0,61, IC 95%: 0,41-0,92) fue predictor independiente del desarrollo del SNT, con un ABC en la curva COR de 0,876 (IC 95%: 0,761-0,990, p < 0,001). Conclusiones. Una puntuación inicial baja en la GCS parece ser un predictor clínico de desarrollo de SNT en la ICO. Dada la incidencia de SNT, consideramos fundamental establecer protocolos de seguimiento específico de estos pacientes tras su asistencia inicial en los SU. (AU)

Objectives. To identify predictors for developing delayed neurological syndrome (DNS) after an initial episode of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in the interest of detecting patients most likely to develop DNS so that they can be followed. Methods. Retrospective review of cases of CO poisoning treated in the past 10 years in the emergency departments of 4 hospitals in the AMICO study (Spanish acronym for the multicenter analysis of CO poisoning). We analyzed demographic characteristics of the patients and the clinical characteristics of the initial episode. The records of the cohort of patients with available follow-up information were reviewed to find cases of DNS. Data were analyzed by multivariant analysis to determine the relationship to characteristics of the initial exposure to CO. Results. A total of 240 cases were identified. The median (interquartile range) age of the patients was 36.2 years (17.6-49.6 years); 108 patients (45.0%) were men, and the poisoning was accidental in 223 cases (92.9%). The median carboxyhemoglobin concentration on presentation was 12.7% (6.2%-18.7%). Follow-up details were available for 44 patients (18.3%). Eleven of those patients (25%) developed DNS. A low initial Glasgow Coma Scale score predicted the development of DNS with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.61 (95% CI, 0.41-0.92) and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.876 (95% CI, 0.761-0.990) (P <.001). Conclusions. The initial Glasgow Coma Scale score seems to be a clinical predictor of DNS after CO poisoning. We consider it important to establish follow-up protocols for patients with CO poisoning treated in hospital EDs. (AU)

Dimetindene-Is the minimum toxic dose for children too strict?

Dimetindene is a sedating antihistamine indicated for the symptomatic treatment of allergic conditions. Dimetindene is marketed among others under the trade name Fenistil (oral solution). Toxicity data are limited, and there is no consensus on the dose at which children require hospitalization. Objective is to determine the potentially toxic dose in children. Data in children with age up to 15 years were obtained from hospital discharge reports. Of 139 paediatric hospital discharge reports, 23 cases (16.5%) were excluded because of uncertain ingestion. In 116 children (46 boys and 70 girls, mean age 2 years and 9 months ± 1 year and 1 month), the majority of children developed no symptoms (87 children, 75%, mean age 3 years±1 year) and the remaining 29 children (25%, mean age 2 years and 11 months ± 1 year and 3 months) developed only mild and spontaneously resolving symptoms of poisoning after a dose of 0.82 ± 0.32 mg/kg b.w. (range 0.26-1.82 mg/kg). In 98% of all cases, hospitalized children were observed for a maximum 24 h, and their condition did not require specific treatment. In conclusion, the prognosis for accidental dimetindene poisoning in children appears to be good and the minimum toxic dose has been determined to be 0.5 mg/kg b.w.

Hexahydrocannabinol poisoning reported to French poison centres.

INTRODUCTION: Hexahydrocannabinol is a hexahydro derivative of cannabinol. Poisoning with hexahydrocannabinol was first observed in Europe in May 2022. METHOD: This is a retrospective observational study of cases of self-reported hexahydrocannabinol exposure reported to French poison centres between 1 January 2022 and 31 May 2023. RESULTS: There were 37 cases, including 19 in May 2023. The median age of the patients was 36 (interquartile range 28-43) years, and most were men. Eight patients had a history of substance use disorder. The route of exposure was ingestion in 24, inhalation (smoking or vaping) in 10, inhalation and ingestion in two and sublingual in one. Clinical features were neurological (85 per cent), cardiovascular (61 per cent), gastrointestinal (33 per cent), psychiatric (27 per cent) and ocular (21 per cent). Fifty-nine per cent of the patients were hospitalized. In four patients, the Poisoning Severity Score was 0 (asymptomatic); in 15 patients, the Score was 1 (minor); in 16, the Score was 2 (moderate); and in two cases, the Score was 3 (severe). In 70 per cent of patients, the outcome was known, and all recovered. Testing of biological samples was only undertaken in six cases. Five patients had positive blood or urine tests for hexahydrocannabinol; in two patients, tetrahydrocannabinol and metabolites were also detected. In addition, there was an additional patient in whom Δ8- and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol was detected in the substances used. DISCUSSION: Clinical effects reported in this series included neuropsychiatric and somatic effects. Whilst these cases related to self-reported hexahydrocannabinol use, it is likely that tetrahydrocannabinol use also contributed to the effects in a substantial proportion of cases. This study has some limitations, such as the lack of available information due to the retrospective nature of the study. As a result, it probably overestimates the number of moderate and severe cases due to under-reporting of cases of little or no severity. Analysis of the patient's blood and urine was performed only in six patients, so we cannot be certain that the products consumed by the other patients were hexahydrocannabinol. CONCLUSION: The clinical effects attributed to hexahydrocannabinol were neurological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, psychiatric and ocular predominantly and were sometimes serious.

Fomepizole use reported to United States Poison Centers from 2010 to 2021.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of toxic alcohol poisoning is often based on clinical presentation and nonspecific surrogate laboratory studies due to limited testing availability. Fomepizole is the recommended antidote and often administered empirically. The objective of this study is to identify substances that mimic toxic alcohols and compare key clinical factors between toxic alcohol and non-toxic alcohol exposures when fomepizole was administered. METHODS: This study was a retrospective evaluation using the National Poison Data System from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2021. Exposures were included if fomepizole was administered. Toxic alcohol exposures had ethylene glycol or methanol as a coded substance. For exposures not coded as a toxic alcohol, the first substance was described. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) exposures from 2020 and 2021 were excluded. RESULTS: Fomepizole was reportedly used 25,110 times over 12 years. Use increased from 1,955 in 2010 to 2,710 in 2021. Most administrations were for reported toxic alcohol poisoning (60 percent) but use in reported non-toxic alcohol poisoning was greater starting in 2020. Toxic alcohol exposures were older (43.3 versus 39.8 years; P < 0.001) and more likely male (65.7 percent versus 58.2 percent). Level of care was mostly a critical care unit (67.7 percent), which was less common in toxic alcohol (63.3 percent) than non-toxic alcohol exposures (74.2 percent). The most common non-toxic alcohol substances were ethanol (24.9 percent) or an unknown drug (17.5 percent). Acidosis, increased creatinine concentration, anion gap, and osmolal gap, and kidney failure were coded in a lower proportion of toxic alcohol exposures than non-toxic alcohol exposures (P < 0.001). DISCUSSION: The inability to provide rapid clinical confirmation of toxic alcohol poisoning results in the empiric administration of fomepizole to many patients who will ultimately have other diagnoses. Although fomepizole is relative well tolerated we estimated that this practice costs between $1.5 to $2.5 million. The major limitations of this work include the biases associated with retrospective record review, and the inability to confirm the exposures which may have resulted in allocation error. CONCLUSION: Most fomepizole use was for a presumed toxic alcohol. This recently shifted to greater use in likely non-toxic alcohol poisoning. Key difference between the groups suggest fomepizole administration was likely due to the difficulty in diagnosis of toxic alcohol poisoning along with the efficacy and safety of fomepizole. Increased toxic alcohol laboratory testing availability could improve timely diagnosis, reserving fomepizole use for toxic alcohol poisoning.

The efficacy of intermittent hemodialysis in severe bromovalerylurea poisoning.

Bromvalerylurea (BVU) is a sedative-hypnotic drug with a high risk of acute poisoning. In the present case, hemodialysis (HD) was introduced in a patient with severe BVU poisoning who later demonstrated respiratory arrest, and then HD clearances (CLHD) were assessed in detail. A 20-year-old female was transported to the emergency department by ambulance, an estimated two to four hours after orally ingesting 144 tablets of Utto® (12,000 mg BVU) in a suicide attempt. The patient was comatose on arrival. After intratracheal intubation, 50 g of activated charcoal was administered through nasogastric tube. She was then transferred to the intensive care unit. Ten hours after arrival at the hospital, her light reflex, contralateral light reflex, corneal reflex, and spontaneous respiration disappeared, resulting in an introduction of HD 16 h after arrival. Eighteen hours after arrival, her light reflex, contralateral light reflex, and corneal reflexes had recovered. Twenty-one hours after arrival, her consciousness level improved and the patient was weaned from HD. During HD treatment, blood samples were collected pre-HD and post-HD every hour. Serum BVU concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The median CLHD was 133.61 mL/min, and the systemic clearance (CLSYS) was 117.77 mL/min. Higher CLHD of BVUs over CLSYS suggests that HD may play an important role in the treatment of severe BVU poisoning.

Comparative analysis of organophosphorus versus carbamate pesticide poisoning: a case study.

Organophosphorus poisoning is a critical condition that can cause central nervous system depression, respiratory failure, and death early on. As its clinical manifestations closely resemble those of carbamate pesticide poisoning, the aim of this case study is to present a case of misdiagnosis, initially identifying carbofuran poisoning as organophosphate in a patient suspect of a heatstroke. We also present a case of intentional self-poisoning with organophosphate dichlorvos to underline the likelihood of pesticide poisoning in patients exhibiting acute cholinergic symptoms when the ingested substance is not known. In such cases, empirical treatment with atropine and oxime can be started pending timely differential diagnosis to adjust treatment as necessary.

Clinical analysis of acute poisoning in children.

OBJECTIVE: The clinical characteristics of hospitalized children with acute poisoning were analyzed to provide a reference for preventing poisoning and seeking effective prevention and treatment. METHODS: The clinical data of 112 children with acute poisoning admitted to Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2021, were collected and analyzed from different perspectives. RESULTS: The majority of acute poisoning cases that occurred in children were in early childhood and preschool age (89 cases, accounting for 79.4%). The most common types of poisoning were pesticide poisoning and drug poisoning, and the main ways of poisoning were accidental administration via the digestive tract and accidental ingestion. Poisoning occurred slightly more in spring and summer all year round, and most children had a good prognosis after timely treatment. CONCLUSION: Acute poisoning often occurs in children. Parental education and intensified child supervision are needed to prevent the incidence of unintentional poisoning.

[Investigation and analysis of acute poisoning of organic fluorine mixed gas in a fluorine polymerization plant].

In January 2021, an acute chemical poisoning incident occurred at a fluorine polymerization plant. Through the analysis of the occupational health situation of the enterprise, combined with the clinical manifestations of the poisoned patients and the laboratory examination results, it was determined that the incident was an acute poisoning incident caused by the inhalation of organic fluorine mixed gas in the fluorine polymerization plant. Subsequently, it was clarified that the accident was caused by the illegal operation of the employees of the fluorine polymerization plant, which caused the discharge of the organic fluorine mixed gas containing high concentration of octafluoroisobutene, resulting in the poisoning of the on-site construction personnel. In order to avoid the occurrence of similar incidents, enterprises should implement the main responsibility of safety production, regularly organize supervision and inspection, eliminate illegal operations, conduct safety education and training for the staff of the unit and outsourced staff, and improve the emergency rescue ability of sudden poisoning incidents.

Una ingesta explosiva / An explosive intake

La ingesta de petardo supone un riesgo potencial para la vida del paciente si este contiene el compuesto tóxico denominado fósforo amarillo (FA). Afortunadamente, dicho material no es utilizado actualmente en nuestro país para la fabricación de productos de pirotecnia, no siendo así en otras regiones del mundo como Asia o América Latina. La ingesta de FA puede causar el fallecimiento del paciente hasta en un 20-50% de los casos por acumulación tóxica en el organismo, produciendo fundamentalmente fallo hepático y, consecuentemente, fallo multiorgánico. Los petardos en España contienen materiales no tóxicos para el organismo, por lo que su ingesta puede producir náuseas y molestias abdominales, pero no un riesgo letal para el paciente. (AU)

The ingestion of firecrackers poses a potential risk to the patient's life if they contain the toxic component called yellow phosphorus (YFP). Fortunately, this material is not currently used in our country for the manufacture of pyrotechnic products, but this is not the case in other regions of the world such as Asia or Latin America. The ingestion of YFP can cause the death of up to 20-50% of cases, by toxic accumulation in the organism, producing mainly hepatic failure and consequently multiorgan failure. Firecrackers in Spain contain non-toxic materials for the organism, so their ingestion may cause nausea and abdominal discomfort, but not a lethal risk for the patient. (AU)

Principal causes of acute poisoning in an emergency service: experience between 2014 and 2021 at a University Hospital in Southwestern Colombia.

Acute poisonings are a global public health problem, which implies costs and disease burden for society. In Colombia, there is a significant underreporting of data on acute poisoning and data gaps on the toxicological profile of the population. This study aims to identify the epidemiology of acute poisoning in a high-complexity hospital in southwestern Colombia. A descriptive study with retrospective data collection was performed. The variables were expressed through the measure of central tendency and dispersion. Categorical variables were described in proportions. A total of 406 patients were included. The median age was 31 years (IQR 23-48), 56.2% were male, and only 19.2% had a history of mental illness. Suicidal intent represented 58.8% of the cases, and the most frequent route of exposure was the oral route (81.6%). The most prevalent groups of substances were pesticides (34.2%) and medicines (32%). The most common etiological agent was organophosphates (16.5%). Cholinergic toxidrome was the most common. The average stay in the ICU was 4.5 days (± 4.8), and the mortality was 4.2%. The principal causes of acute poisoning were drugs and pesticides, with a predominant etiology of organophosphates and depressants of the central nervous system. There was a significant predominance of young male patients with suicidal intent, low mental disorders, elevated unemployment rate, and similar mortality reported in other studies. This study improves the knowledge about acute poisoning in southwestern Colombian to carry out multicenter analytic studies.

[Personalized character of toxic effects through mass nonlethal poisoning by phenazepam and other psychoactive substances]. / Personifitsirovannyi kharakter toksicheskikh effektov na primere massovykh nesmertel'nykh otravlenii fenazepamom i drugimi psikhoaktivnymi veshchestvami.

Over several months, 14 people were admitted in 6 hospitals with severe symptoms of intoxication with psychoactive substances as a result of mass poisoning. All symptoms occurred after taking a drink that contained crushed phenazepam tablets. Samples of blood (n=10) and urine (n=6) taken from 14 sufferers for forensic, chemical and toxicological examination were analyzed using the HPLC-MS/MS method. Phenazepam was detected in the biomaterial of all 14 patients. Other psychoactive substances (baclofen, pregabalin, chlorprothixene, chlorpromazine, phenibut, tramadol, diazepam), narcotic substances and ethanol were also found in the sufferers. The phenazepam concentration in the blood was in the range of 109.75-786.50 ng/ml, in the urine - 8.97-101.28 ng/ml. The pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic characteristics of toxicants as well as additional factors characterizing the phenotype of the sufferer in addition to drug's content in the biological material must be taken into account to determine the toxicity level of phenazepam against the background of combined action with other psychoactive substances.

Self-harm by single- and multi-agent medication poisoning in a retrospective analysis of a Poison Control Center database from January 2018 to December 2022.

PURPOSE: Medication poisoning is the most common method of self-harm. Longitudinal studies incorporating pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic data are required to describe the phenomenon and to evaluate the long-term impact on mental health. METHODS: Calls to the Poison Control Center of Policlinico Umberto I Hospital - Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, were analyzed retrospectively for characteristics and clinical presentation of cases of interest from January 2018 to December 2022. RESULTS: A total of 756 cases of self-harm by medication poisonings were recorded in the study period. A reduction in rate of cases in 2020 was followed by a return to pre-pandemic levels by 2021. When separately analyzing single- and multi-agent cases, occurrence of cases involving just one medication increased since early 2021, with a peak in 2022 (7.8% of total calls, 95% CI 6.2-9.5, from 4.9%, 95% CI 4.1-5.8 in 2018). This increase in the rate of cases, mostly of none or mild severity, was driven by youth aged 12-21, in which the relative proportion of single- versus multi-agent cases showed an increasing trend since 2020 (from 42.6% in 2018 to 78.6% in 2022). Acetaminophen was the medication most frequently involved and benzodiazepines the largest class. A psychiatric background was increasingly seen in 2022, especially in age group 12-21. CONCLUSION: Single-agent medication self-harm may be an increasingly prevailing phenomenon. Young adolescents with a psychiatric background might be most vulnerable to this behavior in the COVID-19 pandemic aftermath. Healthcare professionals should expect favorable clinical outcome and improve both counseling and psychotherapy supervision in individuals at risk.

Rodenticide poisoning leading to cerebral hemorrhage: A case report.

RATIONALE: Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are a substantial fraction of murine types. AR poisoning causes bleeding from the skin, mucous membranes, and multiple organs. However, reports of AR-induced cerebral hemorrhage are scarce. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 40-year-old male presented with dizziness, headache, and limb weakness for 5 days and with coagulopathy. Two days prior to the onset of these symptoms, the patient was exposed to dead mice. DIAGNOSES: Rodenticide intoxication-induced cerebral hemorrhage. INTERVENTIONS: Vitamin K1 infusion, administration of dehydrating agents to reduce intracranial pressure, and correction of acid-base and electrolyte imbalances. OUTCOMES: After 9 days of treatment, the patient's symptoms were relieved, and reexamination revealed that coagulation parameters returned to normal levels. The patient was eventually discharged for observation with oral vitamin K1. CONCLUSIONS: Rodenticide poisoning can lead to intracerebral hemorrhage, and treatment with vitamin K1 infusion is effective. LESSON: Rodenticide poisoning-induced cerebral hemorrhage is rarely reported. Because its symptoms are nonspecific, it is easy to miss the diagnosis or misdiagnose. When patients present with direct and indirect symptoms such as dizziness, headache, and limb weakness, rodenticide poisoning should be considered. Coagulation function and head computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging examination should be performed at the earliest to confirm the diagnosis and provide timely treatment.