ACUTE-POISONING IN IZMIR, TURKEY - A PILOT EPIDEMIOLOGIC-STUDY

Epidemiologic data on poisonings in Turkey are extremely limited. This is a retrospective chart review to describe the prevalence of poisoni ng in both adults and children, the presenting clinical features, morb idity and mortality to identify how poisoning in Izmir follows the pat tern of other countries and how it is unique. Three hundred sixty-five poisoned patients presented to the Dokuz Eylul University Hospital, I smir in 1989 to 1990. The distribution frequency of substances ingeste d reflects that of substances available in the home. Poisoning episode s in small children were most likely to involve hydrocarbons, analgesi cs, caustics or pesticides (55%). Ethanol, anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, and pesticides were the most common toxins seen in ad ults. A significant number of patients presented late in the course of their poisoning. Of those ingesting pharmaceuticals, mushrooms or pla nts, emesis, but no other modes of decontamination, was reported for 2 1%. Toxin ''antidotes'', gastrointestinal decontamination and enhanced drug removal techniques used in other parts of the world were rarely utilized. Nonetheless, only three patients (0.8%) died. This pilot stu dy supports the need for a Regional Poison Information Center offering poison management advice to the general public as well as to members of the health care professions, the initiation of a public education c ampaign, and regional treatment by physicians trained in medical toxic ology.