ABSTRACT
Acute poisoning is commonly seen with pharmaceutical substance or pesticides.
Understanding pattern of acute poisoning due to different agents can enable
better emergency management. The aim of this study is to present and evaluate
the fatality-related data of acute poisoning due to aluminum phosphide (rice
pills) and methadone. This descriptive-analytical study was performed on
patients Shahid Rahimi Hospital due to poisoning with rice tablets (aluminum
phosphide) and methadone from 2015–2020. The data collection tool was a
questionnaire using with demographic data, type and dose of poison and clinical
presentation, duration of hospitalization was obtained and statistically
analyzed. Out of 19 238 patients with poisoning referred to this center, 412
people referred to the hospital due to rice pill poisoning, of which 56
(13.59%) died and among 2157 patients due to methadone poisoning, 22 of
them (1.09%) died. In both the groups, rice pill and methadone, there
were more male patients 53.57 and 81.81%, respectively. In aluminum
phosphide poisoning, the greatest population was in the age group
(15–35). However, no specific age group was seen in methadone poisoning.
The duration of hospitalization and the time of referral to the emergency
department to the death of the patient was significantly correlated with
mortality in both the groups. The prevalence of intentional rice kill poising
was greatest, effecting young population, we recommend that health care
awareness program and training should be provided in this regard. Furthermore,
psychiatric care should be made easily available in the region.
Key words
poisoning - aluminum phosphide - rice pills - methadone - pesticides - pharmaceutical
