Mortality resulting from poisoning with depilatory agent in patients who referred to Loqman Hakim hospital

ABSTRACT

Traditional depilatory agent has been rarely used as a means of suicidal attempt in Iran. Its complications arise from its corrosive effect, and systemic arsenic intoxication. This study was conducted to assess intoxication and mortality rate with depilatory agent in 1370-1382. In this retrospective study we collected published statistics from poisoning department of Loqman Hakim hospital and analized the patients' registries. The number of poisoned patients' referred to Loqman Hakim hospital increased from 12000 in 1370 to 24000 in 1382. Meanwhile the relative frequency of poisoned patients with depilatory agent in comparison to all of the poisoning in mentioned time was decreased [0.6% in 1370 to 0.4% in 1382]. 97% of patients used it for suicide attempt. During these years mortality rate from poisoning increased from 0.99% in 1370 to 1.27% in 1382, but mortality rate from depilatory agent decreased from 22% to 5.7%. After 1377 no case of surgery has been observed as a treatment whereas during previous years about 20% of patients need surgery. Elimination of arsenic from depilatory agent caused in decreasing of complications [Including surgical intervention] and mortality rate among the poisoned with this substance