ABSTRACT
Background: Adverse reactions (ARs) are one of the most important causes of morbidity, hospitalization and increased healthcare cost. ARs to cosmetics are often underreported. The aim of our study was to assess the incidence, nature, causality and the outcome of ARs to cosmetics.Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted in a dermatology outpatient clinic of a secondary care hospital of UAE. All the patients with suspected AR to cosmetics and reporting to dermatology clinic were included. The required data were collected from patient case files, patients and their caretakers. The Colipa causality scale was used to assess the causality of reported ARs.Results: The incidence of cutaneous ARs to cosmetics was 1.58%. Shampoo was the most common [7 (16.6%)] type of cosmetic suspected to cause AR, followed by face cream [6 (14.2%)]. The most common cutaneous AR to cosmetics observed in our study was rash and pruritus [13 (30.9%)] followed by itching [10 (23.8%)]. The majority of the cutaneous ARs in our study were on scalp, face and lower limbs each contributing about 21.4%. Causality assessment reveals that 16 (38%) of the cutaneous ARs were very likely type, while 25 (60%) of ARs were of not clearly attributable to use of cosmetic/s.Conclusions: Good number of the adverse reactions documented were mild in nature. Majority of the adverse reactions were not clearly attributable type. The results of this study can form a basis for creating awareness regarding the most common cosmetics associated with ARs. The study fosters the role of initiating cosmetovigilance activities.
ABSTRACT
Background: Poisoning is an important public health problem, causing significant morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Currently limited data available in UAE regarding the incidence, type of poison, management and outcome of poisoning cases both in adults and children are very limited. The present study focused to assess the type, clinical characteristics, nature and outcome of poisoning cases in two secondary and Tertiary Care Hospitals of U.A.E.Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted in two hospitals of northern emirates of U.A.E. Patient case notes related to hospital admissions due to poisoning were identified and reviewed by the study investigator. Various details such as patient demographic characteristics, type, clinical characteristics, management and outcome of poisoning were entered into a suitably designed data collection form. The collected data were analyzed using poison severity and snakebite severity assessment scales.Results: A total of 97 poisoning cases was identified during the study period. The prevalence of poisoning among male (50.5%) and female (49.5%) was found to be almost similar. The majority of poisoning cases 55 (56.7%) was of accidental type. The most common type of agent responsible for poisoning was drugs 61 (62.9%). Paracetamol was the most common drug involved in poisoning 16 (26.2%). The outcome of the poisoning was a recovery in majority 96 (98.9%) of the cases. Demographic factors such as gender, age, nationality and occupation were found to be significantly (p<0.05) associated with the intention and type of poisoning agent.Conclusions: The study concluded that the most common poisoning agent involved in poisoning was drugs. The majority of the poisoning cases were of accidental type. The outcome of the poisoning was a recovery in the majority of the cases and no mortality were reported.