Evaluation of The Influence of COVID-19 Pandemic on The Incidence and Outcome of Acute Geriatric Poisoned Cases Admitted to the Poison Control Center Ain Shams University Hospitals (PCC -ASUH)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Forensic Medicine and Clinical toxicology department Faculty of Medicine Ain Shams University-Cairo

2 Forensic medicine and clinical toxicology department Faculty of Medicine Ain Shams university

Abstract

AAbstract: Acute geriatric poisoning during COVID-19 pandemic represented a critical situation for both cases and medical staff. Aim: To improve management of geriatrics exposed to pandemic-related consequences. Objective: evaluating the influence of COVID-19 pandemic on incidence and outcome of acute geriatric poisoned cases admitted to Poison Control Center Ain Shams University Hospitals (PCC -ASUH) during 2020,2021 and 2022.Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted including all acutely poisoned geriatric cases admitted to PCC-ASUH from 1/3/2020 to 31/12/2022.Results: 625 geriatric cases were received with admission of 21.28% who belonged mainly to the age group between 60 and 65 years with males outnumbering females. Recorded comorbidities included both organic and psychiatric illness. Admitted cases were linked mostly to deliberate self-poisoning (119 cases =89.5%). Used agents included therapeutic drugs (62cases=52%) with antipsychotic drugs ranking first (26cases=21.9%) followed by cardiovascular drugs (12 cases=10.1%) in addition to non-drug agents (49 cases=41.2%) mainly insecticides (35 cases=29.4%). Accidental cases (14 cases=10.5%) were mainly envenomations (9cases). Clinical presentations involved mainly gastrointestinal, neurological and cardiovascular manifestations. Recorded overall in-hospital mortality (6%) was related to both drugs and non-drug agents. Conclusion and recommendation: Increased incidence of deliberate self-poisoning in the geriatric age group resulting in major morbidities and in- hospital mortalities during COVID-19 pandemic. This warrants further research to evaluate acute poisoning and suicide risk in elderly. Suicide prevention strategy is recommended considering pandemic-related consequences.

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