Objetivo: Determinar las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de los pacientes con intoxicación inducida e intencional, atendidos en un hospital general. Material y métodos: Se incluyeron pacientes con intoxicación inducida e intencional; de ambos sexos, mayores de 14 años. La información se obtuvo de la historia clínica de ingreso, entrevista personal, test de Hamilton y evaluación toxicológica en orina en los intoxicados inducidos. Resultados: De marzo a diciembre del 2006 hubo 45 pacientes con intoxicación inducida y 382 pacientes con intoxicación intencional, de estos últimos se tuvo información completa en 104. Los pacientes con intoxicación inducida en comparación a los intoxicados intencionales fueron varones (p=0,001); de mayor edad (31,62 ± 9,38 vs 26,85 ± 12,18 años) (p=0,011), mayor nivel de instrucción (p=0,04), empleados (p=0,01) y mayor nivel socioeconómico (p=0.01); los intencionales fueron mayormente estudiantes (34,62%), amas de casa (19,23%) y pobres no extremos (p=0,02). Los pacientes con intoxicación inducida a diferencia de los intencionales ingresaron a Emergencia los días domingos (p=0,001), trasladados por la Policía Nacional (p=0,001); los intencionales ingresaron trasladados por la madre (p=0,001). Los pacientes inducidos a diferencia de los intencionales estuvieron expuestos al alcohol (p=0,001), relacionados con amigos (33,33%), taxistas (28,89%) ó desconocidos (33,33%), ingresaron en estado de estupor (p=0,001), con Glasgow > 8 y < 13 (p=0,03), Hamilton normal (p=0,001) y toxicológico positivo a benzodiacepinas en el 11,11%; mientras los intencionales ingresaron con síntomas y signos colinérgicos (p=0,001), con Glasgow >13 (0,001), y con depresión mayor (p=0,001).Conclusión: Los pacientes con intoxicación inducida a diferencia de los intencionales fueron varones, con nivel de instrucción superior, empleados, no pobres, ingresaron los días domingo, trasladados por la Policía Nacional y en estado de estupor, y los intoxicados intencionales fueron mujeres, estudiantes o amas de casa, ingresaron trasladados por la madre, con síntomas y signos colinérgicos, y con depresión mayor. (Rev Med Hered 2009;20:183-189)

Objectives: To determine clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with self and non-self intentional poisoning admitted at the emergency room (ER) of general hospital. Material and methods: Prospective evaluation of patients with self and non-self intentional poisoning in 2006, demographic and clinical data were assessed; patient interviewed, Hamilton’ scale and urine toxic screen were performed. Results: Forty five patients with non-self intentional poisoning (NSP) and 382 patients with self intentional poisoning (SP), were evaluated from March to December of 2006; One hundred four of 382 clinical charts from patients with SP were fully available only, NSP patients were older than SP patients (mean age: 31.62 ± 9.38 years and 26.85 ± 12.18 years; p=0.011); most of patients with NSP were males (p=0.001) and females (p=0.001) in the group of SP; high educational level (p=0.04), employer (p=0.01) and high income (p=0.01) were more frequent in NSP than in SP patients. SP patients were students (34.62%), housewife (19.23%) and had low income (p=0.02); most of NSP patients were admitted on Sunday (p=0.001), and transferred by the police (p=0.001); SP patients were transferred by their mother (p=0.001). NSP was related with drinking alcohol (p=0.001), meeting with friends (33.33%), been in a taxi (28.89%) and meeting unknown people during the episode. Admitted in stupo mental status (p=0.001), Glasgow coma scale > 8 and < 13 (p=0.03), and normal Hamilton’ scale (p=0.001) were more frequent in NSP than in SP patients; urine toxic screen for benzodiazepines was positive in 11.11% of NSP patients; at admission, cholinergic signs and symptoms (p=0.001), Glasgow coma scale > 13 (p=0.001) and mayor depression (p=0.001) were more frequent in SP than in NSP patients. Conclusions: Patients with NSP were males with high education level, employers, had high income, most of them were admitted on Sundays, transferred by the police to the ER and were admitted in stupor mental status, SP patients were females, students and housewife, mostly transferred by their mother to the ER and at admission had cholinergic signs and symptoms and mayor depression.(Rev Med Hered 2009;20:183-189).