Intensive care admissions due to poisoning

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Public Health
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Poisoning is a significant cause of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions.
• Understanding the demographics and outcomes of these patients is crucial for public health.
• This study analyzes national quality register data for ICU-treated poisonings in Sweden.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the demographics of patients admitted to ICUs for poisoning in Sweden.
• To analyze the mortality rates and associated risk factors for these patients.
• To provide insights into the national burden of severe poisoning cases.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective national observational study was conducted.
• Data included all patients over 19 years admitted to an ICU in Sweden between 2010-2011 with an ICD-10 poisoning code.
• Information was sourced from the Swedish Intensive Care Register, National Patient Register, and Cause of Death Register.

Main Results:

• The incidence of ICU-treated poisoning was 43 per 100,000 population, with 21% of all medically attended poisonings requiring ICU admission.
• The median age was 38 years, with equal gender distribution. 46.5% had a history of previous poisoning.
• In-hospital mortality was 1.9%, associated with mechanical ventilation, age over 40, and no prior poisoning history. 30-day mortality was 2.7%.

Conclusions:

• Patients requiring ICU care for poisoning constitute a substantial proportion (one-fifth) of all poisoned individuals seeking medical attention in Sweden.
• Older males with no previous poisoning history represent a particularly vulnerable demographic.
• These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and risk stratification for poisoning patients.