Clinical observation of acute drug intoxications.
10.12701/yujm.1991.8.2.164
- Author:
Jun Ha CHUN
;
Kyung Chul SHIN
;
Jin Hong CHUNG
;
Chong Ki LEE
;
Bong Sup SHIM
;
Hyun Woo LEE
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Acute drug intoxication
- MeSH:
Blood Pressure;
Consciousness;
Emergency Service, Hospital;
Female;
Glycosuria;
Herbicides;
Humans;
Hypnotics and Sedatives;
Incidence;
Intention;
Leukocytosis;
Male;
Miosis;
Mortality;
Nausea;
Pesticides;
Physical Examination;
Pneumonia;
Pulmonary Edema;
Pupil;
Respiratory Insufficiency;
Rodenticides;
Seasons;
Seizures;
Suicide;
Sweat;
Sweating;
Vomiting
- From:Yeungnam University Journal of Medicine
1991;8(2):164-173
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Clinical observations were made on 349 cases of acute drug intoxication who were visited to emergency room of Yeungnam University Hospital during recent 7 years from January 1984 to December 1990. The following results were obtained. 1) Total number of cases of acute drug intoxication was 349 which was 0.39% of the total patients of the emergency room during the same period. 2) The ratio of male to female was 1.1:1. The age incidence was highest in the third decade (26.7%). The monthly incidence was highest in May. Higher frequency was observed in summer season. 3) The most common drug of the intoxication was pesticides and herbicides (71.9%), the remainders were miscellaneous drugs (11.2%), sedatives (7.7%), rodenticides (6.3%) and unknown drug (3.2%) in orders. 4) The most common cause of drug intoxication was suicide (69.1%) and the others were accident, unknown cause, intention in orders. 5) Main clinical manifestations were the impairment of consciousness, nausea, vomiting and convulsion. Physical examination revealed increased pulses, increased blood pressure, miosis of the pupil and sweating. Above symptoms and signs were more prominent in pesticide intoxication. Leukocytosis, glycosuria and abnormal LFT were common findings in acute intoxications. 6) The complications were developed in 18.3% among 349 cases and the most common complication was respiratory failure, pneumonia, cardiovascular collapse and pulmonary edema in orders. 7) Overall mortality rate was 8.3% of total cases and mortality rate was highest in herbicide intoxication (22.2%).
