[Regional features of acute chemical trauma in Azerbaijan and Georgia].

Epidemiologic data on acute chemical poisonings in South Caucasus region are extremely limited. The purpose of this joint prospective study was evaluation and analyzes the rate and characteristics of acute chemical poisoning cases in Azerbaijan and Georgia. This investigation was performed on data of poisoned patients admitted to Republican Toxicology Center of Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan in Baku city and poisoned patients admitted to medical hospitals in Tbilisi (Georgia) from 1st January to 31st December, 2007. Total were 1182 hospitalizations in Republican Toxicology Center's (RTC) intensive care unit and 1646 poisoned patients admitted to medical hospitals in Tbilisi (Georgia). The mean lengths of hospitalization were 3.2 days in Azerbaijan and 1.2 days in Georgia. Acute intoxications were more frequent amount males (51% in Azerbaijan to 67% in Georgia) and in 20-40 age group. Among the pharmaceuticals poisonings by antiepileptic, sedative-hypnotic and antiparkinsonism drugs (T42) and poisonings by psychotropic drugs (T43) were the most frequent. The other cases of poisonings were inhalation of carbon monoxide (T58) - 173 hospitalization in Azerbaijan and 77 hospitalization in Georgia; toxic effect of alcohol (T51) - 50 admissions in Azerbaijan and 697 admissions in Georgia; poisoning by narcotics and psychodysleptics (T40) - 50 cases in Azerbaijan and 36 cases in Georgia; toxic effect of corrosive substances (T54) 176 patients in Azerbaijan to 56 patients in Georgia; toxic effect of pesticides (T60) - 39 patients in Azerbaijan to 11 patients in Georgia; toxic effect of contact with venomous animals (T63) - 70 patients in Azerbaijan to 23 patients in Georgia and toxic effect of other noxious substances eaten as food (T62) - 7 patients in Azerbaijan to 85 patients in Georgia The mortality rates were 3.1% in Azerbaijan and 0.74% in Georgia. Corrosive liquids (especially - concentrated acetic acid) poisonings were most often fatal (41% of total mortality) in Azerbaijan and alcohol poisonings were most often fatal (38% of total mortality) in Georgia. These data provide important preliminary information about toxicoepidemiological situation in South Caucasus countries and could help to develop program of chemical safety and prevention of acute chemical poisonings in this region.

Most common poisonings and their management--data from Tbilisi.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the toxicological aid and efficiency of preventive measures and methods in treatment of acute exogenous intoxications in hospitals in Tbilisi in 1990-2005. Structure of poisoning accidents in Tbilisi, its trends in last decade is analyzed and explained. The data were obtained in Georgian National Center for Disease Control and Medical statistics in Tbilisi. The study revealed that total number of hospitalizations due to acute poisoning in Tbilisi exceeded the number of hospitalizations due to acute myocardial infarction. In 1992-1994 Georgia was in severe social-economic crisis: the cases of acute poisoning increased and the number of hospitalizations had been reduced with concomitant longer hospital stay (in 1992--10.7 hospital days; in 1993-1994--13.7 hospital days), and higher mortality (in 1992--4%; in 1993--5.5%; 1994--5.2%). Low hospitalization rates in 1992-1994 should be explained by late patient referral to hospitals. Longer hospital stay was available due to free hospital care at that time. In 1995 with termination of free medical care number of hospitalized patients with acute intoxication raised annually; hospital stay shortened and mortality rate decreased. In 2003 mortality was reduced by 0.74% in Tbilisi. The prevalence of acute alcoholic intoxication incidence was noticed. Therefore hospital stay decreases. High prevalence of acute alcoholic intoxication was explained by the growth of alcohol consumption; lack of quality control of beverage production resulting in huge amount of unconditioned and counterfeit substances in the market, etc. As to poisonings due to medical substances 42% of cases were intoxications with anticonvulsants, sedative and psychotropic preparations; 17% with cardiovascular drugs; and 10% with narcotic substances. It was found, that poisoning incidence and their outcome significantly depend on social-economical conditions in Georgia. Measures to improve toxicology care in the country are outlined and the ways are ushered to reach it soon.