Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Finnish Poison Information Center call records

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate calls made to the Finnish Poison Information Center (FPIC) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that the number of calls concerning COVID-related drugs and disinfectants would have increased, as well as the number of calls regarding intentional poisonings, due to the social and economic stress caused by the pandemic. Methods: We analysed the FPIC call records to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our statistics. The pandemic started in Finland in March 2020 and the highest peaks were experienced during April 2020, December 2020, March 2021 and August 2021. We compared the mean number of calls per month from the same time period (March-June) before the pandemic (years 2018-2019) and during the pandemic (years 2020-2021). Results: The FPIC receives approximately 40,000 calls yearly from healthcare professionals and the public. The total number of calls was not significantly changed by the pandemic. Compared with 2018-2019, we observed a mean 161% increase (2018, n=24;2019, n=25;2020, n=61;2021, n=67) in calls concerning hand disinfectants during the pandemic. Respectively, there was a 180% increase concerning hydrogen peroxide (2018, n=3;2019, n=2;2020 n=9;2021, n=5) and a 24% increase in calls concerning vitamin D (2018, n=38;2019, n=50;2020, n=60;2021, n=49). Hydrogen peroxide (1%) was used at the dentist as a mouth disinfectant during the pandemic, so the abundant use was seen in our call records. Most of the vitamin D and hand disinfectant exposures were accidental and concerned toddlers. There was also an increase in cases of intentional drinking of hand disinfectants due to their easy availability. Calls regarding intentional poisonings (including drug of abuse and suicide attempts) experienced a slight (13%) increase (2018, n=342;2019, n=351;2020, n=369;2021, n=413), which has also been the trend for the past few years. There was no increase in calls concerning drugs (such as antivirals) used in the treatment of COVID-19. Conclusion: The total number of calls to the FPIC was not affected by COVID-19. Some of the most prominent changes during the pandemic were the increase in calls concerning hand disinfectants and hydrogen peroxide. There was no increase in calls concerning COVID-related drugs, which has been the case in some Poison Information Centers in the United States.