Evaluación de las intoxicaciones agudas por productos químicos atendidas en un Servicio de Urgencias / Evaluation of acute poisonings due to chemical agents treated in an Emergency Department

Fundamento y objetivo: Evaluar las características epidemiológicas y toxicológicas de las exposiciones a productos químicos que requieren consulta a un Servicio de Urgencias hospitalario. Método: Estudio descriptivo de las consultas realizadas a Urgencias y derivadas de la exposición a un producto químico.Resultados: Se han incluido 992 pacientes, con una edad media (DE) de 42,7 (18) años, siendo el 58,1% mujeres. La mayoría de casos han sido accidentes domésticos (67,3%) o laborales (14,8%), pero también se registraron tentativas suicidas (11,2%) y agresiones (3,2%). Hubo una mayor proporción de mujeres en los accidentes domésticos y de varones en los laborales (p<0,05). Los productos implicados con mayor frecuencia fueron cáusticos (39,9%), gases irritantes (13,8%), detergentes (12,3%), disolventes (12%) y gases asfixiantes (9,5%). Precisaron ingreso hospitalario el 10,8% de los pacientes y se registraron 10 fallecimientos (1%), constatándose una mayor gravedad en los accidentes no laborales (p<0,05). Conclusiones: Las exposiciones a productos químicos son un motivo relevante de consulta a Urgencias. El accidente doméstico es mucho más frecuente que el laboral, afecta mayoritariamente a mujeres e implica sobre todo a productos cáusticos. El pronóstico general es bueno y la mortalidad baja (AU)

Background and objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the epidemiological and toxicological characteristics of chemical exposures requiring Emergency Department consultation. Methodology: Descriptive study of Hospital Emergency Department consultations between 2000 and 2008 derived from exposure to a chemical agent. Results: A total of 992 patients were included; the mean age was 42.7+18 years and 58.1% were female. The main causes were domestic accidents (67.3%), occupational accidents (14.8%), attempted suicides (11.2%) and incidents of violence (3.2%). There was a significantly greater proportion of females involved in domestic accidents and males in occupational accidents (p<0.05). The most-frequently involved products were caustic substances (39.9%), irritating gases (13.8%), detergents (12.3%), solvents (12%) and asphyxiating gases (9.5%). Hospital admission was necessary in 10.8% of patients and 10 deaths occurred (1%), with non-occupational accidents being more severe (p<0.05). Conclusions: Exposures to chemical agents represent a high number of poisonings in Emergency Department. Domestic accidents, which mainly affect women and often involve caustic substances, are much more frequent than occupational accidents. The general prognosis is good and mortality is very low (AU)

[Evaluation of acute poisonings due to chemical agents treated in an emergency department]. / Evaluación de las intoxicaciones agudas por productos químicos atendidas en un servicio de urgencias.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to evaluate the epidemiological and toxicological characteristics of chemical exposures requiring Emergency Department consultation. METHODOLOGY: Descriptive study of Hospital Emergency Department consultations between 2000 and 2008 derived from exposure to a chemical agent. RESULTS: A total of 992 patients were included; the mean age was 42.7+18 years and 58.1% were female. The main causes were domestic accidents (67.3%), occupational accidents (14.8%), attempted suicides (11.2%) and incidents of violence (3.2%). There was a significantly greater proportion of females involved in domestic accidents and males in occupational accidents (p<0.05). The most-frequently involved products were caustic substances (39.9%), irritating gases (13.8%), detergents (12.3%), solvents (12%) and asphyxiating gases (9.5%). Hospital admission was necessary in 10.8% of patients and 10 deaths occurred (1%), with non-occupational accidents being more severe (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Exposures to chemical agents represent a high number of poisonings in Emergency Department. Domestic accidents, which mainly affect women and often involve caustic substances, are much more frequent than occupational accidents. The general prognosis is good and mortality is very low.