Evaluation of Drug Overdose Poisoning Cases and Indications for ICU Admission

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Evaluation of drug overdose cases presented to Assiut university hospitals' adults and pediatric emergency departments (EDs) in one year period. Evaluation the role of intensive care unit (ICU) admission in these cases and possible scoring system for common groups of drug overdose.

Detailed Description
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Poisoning is a medical emergency representing a health problem all over the world with an incidence rate that is variable from one place to another. The nature of poison used varies in different parts of the world and may vary even in different parts of the same country. The pattern of poisoning within a country depends on several factors such as the accessibility of various poisons, socio-economic status of the population, religious and cultural influences and drug prescription manners. Drug overdose continues to be the most common cause of acute poisoning all over the world. An estimated 2 to 5 million poisonings and drug overdoses occur annually in the United States of America. Overdose is the most common manifestation of deliberate self-harm behavior, and is a common cause of presentation to hospital Emergency Departments (EDs). It starts to get global attention due to its higher rate of morbidity and mortality in spite of being a preventable cause of death. Acute drug overdosing is an important cause of organ dysfunction and metabolic derangements and the patients often require intensive care admission. Among patients admitted to hospital following drug overdoses, approximately 13-22% will require Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission. Overdoses have been reported to account for 3.8-13.8% of all ICU admissions with 79.5-84% requiring mechanical ventilation in Australia. The treatment and complications of patients with acute drug intoxication in ICU vary according the nature of the substance ingested, individual amount of drug, and the concomitant use of other substances. The interventions requiring critical care in acute drug-poisoned patients include the need for airways protection and mechanical ventilation, hemodynamic stabilization and needs for vasopressors, and specific procedures that would enhance the clearance of the toxins involved.

Official Title
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Evaluation of Drug Overdose Poisoning Cases and Indications for ICU Admission

Conditions
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Drug Toxicity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Drug Toxicity


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients admitted or transferred to Assiut university hospitals' adults and pediatric EDs, with history of drug overdose intoxication within 24 hours prior to admission (single or multiple drug ingestions). Patients admitted or transferred to Assiut university hospitals' adults and pediatric EDs, with clinical signs and symptoms of drug overdose intoxication on examination. Patients admitted or transferred to Assiut university hospitals' adults and pediatric EDs, with blood and/or urine toxicology screens demonstrated the presence of non-prescribed, illicit drugs or inappropriately elevated levels of prescribed or over the-counter medications. Exclusion Criteria: Patients admitted or transferred to Assiut university hospitals' adults and pediatric EDs, with history of drug overdose intoxication more than 24 hours. Patients admitted or transferred to Assiut university hospitals' adults and pediatric EDs, with history of non-drug intoxication, e.g insecticides poisoning
Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Other: Drug Toxicity|Patients who took over dose of Drugs|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Evaluation of drug overdose cases presented to Assiut university hospitals' adults and pediatric E.D. | A) Sheet includes the following items:- Demographic data: Gender, Age, Marital status, Residence, Occupation, Special habits: smoking, drug abuse. Data regarding overdosed drug: Type, form, dose and method of administration and mode of exposure Symptoms of intoxication. B) Complete clinical examination C) Investigations: Routine: ABG, ECG, Electrolytes Specific Drug level, drug screening test in urine | One year | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Evaluation of the indications of intensive care unit (ICU) admission in drug overdose cases. | Evaluation the role of intensive care unit (ICU) admission in drug overdose cases and possible scoring system for common groups of drug overdose: Patients admitted to ICU will be monitored regarding: Criteria of admission: acid base disturbance, altered conscious level, organ failure, etc. Intervention methods: mechanical ventilation, inotropes, dialysis, etc. Period of ICU Admission. Fate : complete recovery, complications, death | one year |