A prospective study of acute poisonings in a sample of Greek patients.

Objectives: Acute poisoning is one of the most common situations managed in the emergency department. Significant differences have been reported concerning the prevalence and etiology of poisoning. This study aims to present the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of poisonings in the region of Thrace in Northern Greece, where no similar studies have been performed.

Methods: A prospective study was carried out in our hospital's emergency department during 4 years (1999-2003). Atotal of 223 adult patients were admitted with acute poisoning, 87 males (39%) and 136 females (61%).

Results: Mean age of male and female patients was 37.1 years (standard deviation 16.1) and 33.4 years (standard deviation 14.5), respectively. Intoxications were more common in summer (34.1%). The median time between poisoning and presentation was 4 hours. Poisonings were more common in the urban population (64.1%). Psychotropes were the leading cause of poisoning in patients with a psychiatric disease (74.1%) and analgesics in all the other patients groups (34.8%). The clinical status on admission was: conscious (45.7%), confused (35.4%), precoma/coma (18.9%). Haemodialysis was performed only in one patient and respiratory support was necessary in 10 patients. An antidote was administrated in 73 patients. Median hospital stay was 1 day. Two patients died (0.9%).

Conclusions: Poisoning's aetiology varies significantly in different countries. Previous suicide attempts are common in these patients. Precipitating factors can be major depressive, or dysthymic disorders. The mortality rate is low.