Gender differences in opioid and stimulant poisoning in the central region of iran: a cross-sectional study

Despite the importance of sex differences in substance-related issues, regional studies have paid little attention to their impact on opioid poisoning. This study aimed to assess this disparity in patients with opioid and stimulant poisoning. The cross-sectional study was conducted at a referral poisoning center in Isfahan, Iran. Medical records of patients admitted between December 2014 and October 2016 with opioid and stimulant poisoning were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 1243 patients with opioid poisoning and 94 with stimulant poisoning were evaluated, with a majority being male (70.9% and 79.8%, respectively). Methadone poisoning was the most common opioid substance (49.7%), followed by tramadol (18.4%), and methamphetamine was the most common cause of stimulant poisoning(52.1%). Among both sexes, methadone from the opioid class and methamphetamine from the stimulant class were the most frequent causes of intoxication. Males were more likely to have a history of addiction and a criminal record compared to females in both types of poisoning. No significant differences in outcomes were observed between the sexes. Males were about 3.92 times more likely to experience multiple opioid poisonings compared to females (OR: 3.92, 95% CI 1.39-11.09). Sex disparities in opioid and stimulant poisoning were identified, highlighting the importance of considering sex-specific educational programs when developing strategies for opioid and stimulant use prevention.