Changes in characteristics of drug intoxication after COVID-19 pandemics: a retrospective study in a tertiary university-affiliated hospital

ABSTRACT

Objective@#The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus has adversely affected people in socioeconomic fields as well as mental health, thereby increasing suicidal attempts. This study analyzes the altered characteristics of drug-poisoned patients visiting the emergency department (ED) during the COVID-19 pandemic era in South Korea. @*Methods@#This was a retrospective observational study using medical records of adults who visited the ED for intoxication. Data obtained were compared before and after the COVID-19 pandemic era. @*Results@#In all, data from 1,102 drug-poisoned patients (586/516 during the pre-/post-COVID-19 periods, respectively) were included in the study. Despite a decrease in total ED visits, the pandemic period saw an increase in the proportion of poisoned patients visiting the ED. Young, female, and psychiatric patients accounted for a significant portion. Months, holidays, time zones, and urbanization showed no difference in the incidence of intoxication. Financial difficulty and couple and family troubles were determined to be frequent causes of intoxication during the COVID-19 pandemic. Comparing the drugs intoxicated, pesticide ingestion was decreased, while the ingestion of other less-fatal drugs was comparatively increased. Although there was an increase in the admission rate of poisoned patients, the severity during admission and outcomes at discharge were not worse after the COVID-19 pandemic era. @*Conclusion@#The COVID-19 crisis has seriously impacted people, especially female, young-aged, and psychiatric patients.