Epidemiological Profile of Drug Overdose Reported in South-East Morocco from 2004 to 2016

Drug overdose, either accidental or intentional, is the most common cause of acute poisoning worldwide.

The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological profile of drug poisoning recorded in the south east of Morocco and to identify the proportion of intentional versus accidental drug overdose.

This was an epidemiological study of 180 cases of medicinal poisoning registered with the Provincial Delegation of Health in Errachidia between January 2004 and December 2016. Information on demographic and drug overdose characteristics was obtained from the regional poison center. Drugs were categorized according to the anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) classification system.

Adults were the most affected group, with a median age of 21 years and a sex ratio of three females to every male. Drug poisoning mainly occurred in urban areas (83% of cases). Regarding clinical signs, 55.2% of patients presented with digestive signs and 27.6% with neurological signs. Other signs were also present: respiratory (5.1%), combined neurological and digestive (4.5%), cardiovascular (3.8%), and general (3.8%). Women represented 88.9% of those who had intentionally overdosed and 64.3% of those who had unintentionally overdosed. Benzodiazepine derivatives and other related drugs were involved in 21.5% of cases of drug poisoning, with other drugs found in patients with drug overdose as follows: paracetamol 3.3%, ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel 5%, and cyproheptadine 1.6%.

Our results indicate that the number of reported cases of drug poisoning in south-east Morocco increased between 2004 and 2016. The intentional use of drugs in overdose was mostly  among adults, especially women. The drugs involved were predominantly psycholeptic drugs, followed by analgesics. Mortality was low, but investigation in a representative sample will show  the real severity and outcomes of drug overdoses.