Assessment of type, clinical characteristics, nature and outcome of poisoning cases in two hospitals of U.A.E.

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.