Epidemiología de las intoxicaciones agudas en el Servicio de Urgencias del Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela

Abstract

Introduction and methods. Acute poisoning is a common reason for consultation in Emergency Services. This retrospective observational study looks for analysing the epidemiology of acute poisonings in the Emergency Service of the Clinic University Hospital of de Santiago de Compostela between June and November 2019. Results. Acute poisonings were 1,2% of Emergency Service consults (mean age 44 years, 64.9% men). Abuse drugs were the most usual group (specially in male sex), being ethanol the principal agent; followed by polycompsumption and medicines (specially in female sex), highlighting benzodiazepines. Poisonings were more frequent in weekends and during the night. The first modality was voluntary (principally in men), followed by suicidal (principally in women). 26.5% of patients came by ambulance. 53.9% of patients showed toxicological history (specially men) and 32.3% had psychiatric history (specially in women). The most common clinical manifestations were neurological. Most patients got symptomatic treatment, using specific treatment in a small proportion. 84.4% of patients were discharged from the Emergency Service, needing attention from the Intensive Care Unit 2.0%; the elderly patients were admitted more frequently. Conclusions. Acute poisonings have little gravity in this environment. There are differences in their features according to sex and age, as wells as in modality depending on the toxic agent and the personal history.