[Epidemiology of acute poisonings during 2002-2011 in Toxicology Unit; Department of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland]. / Epidemiologia ostrych zatruc w latach 2002-2011 w Oddziale Toksykologii Instytutu Medycyny Pracy im. Prof. J. Nofera w Lodzi.

INTRODUCTION: Intoxication poses significant challenge for medical staff due to diagnostic difficulties, complex clinical pattern, resulting from polyethiology of poisoning and potential risk of life threatening complications. OBJECTIVES: the epidemiology of acute poisonings, observed in Toxicology Unit (TU) in Lodz during the period 2002-201--is the main objective of the study. Authors present their frequency and associated mortality and discuss the structure of poisonings with regard to type and causative agents. MATERIALS: The data used for analysis were drawn from National Poison Information Center in Lodz. They were divided into two groups. The first one comprised informations about patients treated in TU, whereas the second one included cases treated in other hospitals and only consulted by TU staff. RESULTS: Analysis of obtained data showed that medications overdose was the most frequent cause of hospitalization during 2002-2011. Patients between 15 and 30 years constituted the largest group in comparison with total number of poisonings. Medications, alcohols and gases constituted also the leading cause of deaths due to poisoning during the analysed period. Suicidal poisonings composed the largest group in 2002 and 2003 y respectively, whereas poisonings caused by abuse or abuse in the course of dependence were the most frequent in subsequent years.

Epidemiology of acute poisonings during 2003-2007 in Toxicology Unit, Department of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lódz, Poland.

OBJECTIVES: The epidemiology of acute poisonings, observed in Toxicology Unit in Lódz, is the main objective of the study. The authors present frequency of respective kinds of poisoning cases and associated mortality. They discuss also the structure of poisonings with regard to type and causative agents over a period between 2003 and 2007. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data used for the analysis were obtained from National Poison Information Center in Lódz. They were divided into two groups. The first one comprised information about patients treated at the Toxicology Unit (TU), whereas the other one included cases treated in other hospitals and only consulted by TU staff. RESULTS: Analysis of the data shows that overdosage of medications was the most frequent cause of hospitalization during 2006-2007. It constituted also the leading cause of deaths due to poisoning during 2003-2005. However, it was superseded during the subsequent period of 2006-2007 by intoxication with alcohols which was associated with the highest number of deaths in the latter period. Situation changed dynamically also with regard to the intention of poisoning. Suicidal poisonings constituted the largest group in 2003, whereas poisonings caused by abuse, including dependence-related abuse, were the most frequent in subsequent years. Patients between 15 and 30 years old formed the largest group among the total number of poisonings. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study on epidemiology of acute poisoning in Lódz between 2003-2007 show that poisoning is a frequent cause of admission to hospital and constitutes a major health problem in Lódz district because of large number of hospital admissions, associated mortality and the high proportion of patients at young age.

Poisonings with street drugs:a review of 1993-2008 data from the toxicology unit in Poland.

OBJECTIVE: Drugs of abuse have been known in many cultures and geographical zones, and also in Poland the extent of substance abuse has been increasing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This report refers to patients treated for poisonings with street drugs at the Toxicology Unit (TU), Lódz, Poland during the period 1993-2008. The data to be analyzed was obtained from medical files of all patients treated for street drugs or hallucinogens abuse. RESULTS: The kind of the drugs used has changed significantly; between 1993 and 1998 the majority of patients were opiate users, in 1999-2002 the dominant drug was amphetamine and in 2003-2008 there was recurrent increase in the number of opiate poisonings. Male patients were represented in the studied group more often than female ones. The percentages of patients treated after suicidal attempts ranged from 9.3% in 1993-1994 to 15.9% in 2007-2008. During the analyzed period 1993-2008, cases of overdose were less frequent, while accidental intoxications became more common. CONCLUSIONS: Drug abuse is a serious problem in Poland, it has expanded in recent years and it is likely to expand further in the years to come. The treatment of drug-addicted people needs to be improved and a suitable prevention program should be developed.

Acute poisonings registered since 1970: trends and characteristics. Analysis of the files collected in the National Poison Information Centre, Lódz, Poland.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the presented study was to trace the trends and characteristics of acute poisonings in Poland, including the rate, type, and causal agents, over a long period of time (1970-2000) to define the dynamics of changes and major causes of poisoning-related mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The analysis was based on the data obtained from the patients' records submitted by all poison centers in Poland (Gdansk, Kraków, Lublin, Lódz, Poznan, Sosnowiec, Rzeszów, Warszawa, and Wroclaw). RESULTS: Drugs were the most frequent group of chemical substances, responsible for more than 50% of all admissions because of acute poisonings. From 1980, the rate of drug poisonings showed a slightly downward trend from 56.4% in 1980 to 48.8% in 2000. Ranked second with respect to the prevalence rate were alcohol poisonings. A clear upward trend from 8.0% in 1980 to as high as 30.8% in 2000 was noted in this category. Poisonings with carbon monoxide became less frequent, ranging from 15.3 to 5.1%, respectively in the aforesaid years. The percentage of poisonings with pesticides, corrosives and metal compounds have been reduced in recent years. The greatest number of lethal outcomes was also due to poisonings with alcohols and drugs. The highest mortality ratio was recorded for ethylene glycol, methanol and Amanita phalloides poisonings. CONCLUSIONS: A constantly growing number of acute poisonings in Poland makes it necessary for all the medical and other professionals involved (clinical toxicologists, diagnostic laboratory staff, and poison information specialists) to enhance and coordinate their efforts. These activities should be focused on: (a) better and faster accessibility of all information on the agent of poisoning, possible health effects, and methods of treatment to support the medical staff; (b) selection of the most effective methods to eliminate poisons from the system and improve further therapy, and (c) better accessibility of antidotes.

[Acute poisonings in Poland during the period 1997-1999. An analysis of files from the Krakow Poison Information Center]. / Ostre zatrucia w Polsce w latach 1997-1999. Analiza danych zgromadzonych w Krajowym Centrum Informacji Toksykologicznej.

This work analyses the 1997-1999 data received from Polish poison units at Gdansk, Kraków, Lublin, Lódz, Poznan, Rzeszów, Tarnów, Sosnowiec, Warszawa, Wroclaw on patients hospitalised there and patients treated at other hospitals but consulted by specialists of those centres. The analysis shows that drugs constituted the most frequent cause of the poisonings (over 45% all poisonings). Poisonings with: alcohols accounted for 17.6%, gases (primarily by carbon monoxide) for 5.3%, pesticides for 4.5%, substances of abuse for 4.1%, and with organic solvents for 4.0% total poisonings. Suicidal poisonings constituted about 36% total poisonings, accidental over 25%, poisonings resulting for street-drugs and alcohol abuse over 23%, chemical emergency or fire 1%, while occupational poisonings constituted only 0.9% total poisonings. In 1997-1999, the highest numbers of deaths were recorded after intake of: drugs (102), ethylene glycol (39), alcohols (49, including 16 after intake of methanol and 33 after intake of ethanol), pesticides (15 deaths).

Intentional poisonings in children below 15 years of age in the city of Lodz.

Data on self poisonings in children < l5 y of age from all over Poland are not available. An analysis of intentional poisonings among juveniles < 15 y of age in the city of Lodz in 1991-1995 was done. Intentional poisonings accounted for over 14% of total poisonings in children < 15 y of age. Self-poisonings in 9-11 and 12-15 y old, accounted for 5.2% and 86.8%, respectively, of the total juvenile intentional poisonings. They were more frequent in girls (80.8%) than boys (19.2%). Drugs were the most common agents (93%), of which 56% were sleep-inducing and psychotropic drugs. The dominating reasons for attempts were family and school problems, and impaired social relations. The high number of these poisonings indicates impaired parent-child relationship and resulting difficulties in social adaptation. The wide use of sleep-inducing and psychotropic drugs by adults makes these medicines more accessible.