Which pharmaceutical agent is most commonly used for suicide? An epidemiological investigation inLoghman Hakim Hospital, 2018 - 2019

Acute accidental and deliberate poisoning by medications and pharmaceuticals is the third cause of death in suicides after hanging and self-immolation. To determine the common pattern of intentional drug poisoning in Tehran, this descriptive and retrospective study has reviewed and analyzed the data related to the records of patients admitted due to intentional drug poisoning, 2018-2019 at Loghman-Hakim-Hospital-Poison-Center (LHHPC).

This is an epidemiological, cross-sectional investigation based on the medical profile of 9245 patients who were admitted to LHHPC for intentional drug poisoning from May 2018 to May 2019. The verified variables included: age, gender, type of drug used, previous history of mental health problems, presence or absence of a previous history of suicide, the outcome of hospitalization and time of emergency visit. All inquiry data were coded and statistically analyzed using SPSS Version 26 software.

The average age of the admitted cases was 29.3±12.4, with a minimum age of 12 years. The greatest proportion of poisoning occurred between the ages of 21-30 years. About 17.10% of patients had a previous history of self-harm and 57.77% had mental disorders. The most common pharmaceuticals for deliberate poisoning were anti-epileptics-sedative-hypnotics, antipyretics-non-opioid-analgesics, narcotics- hallucinogens and antidepressant-antipsychotic. Mortality was significantly higher in men and also following methadone and benzodiazepines.

The high prevalence of intentional poisoning and its resulting mortality among young adults requires considerable attention and further studies to understand the underlying causes. Besides, strict rules need to be enforced regarding the sale of central nervous system drugs and opioids.