Demographic Factors, Duration and Costs of Hospitalization, and Causes of Death in Patients Intoxicated with Opioids and Amphetamines

Intoxications are medical emergencies and among the significant causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In recent years, prevalence of intoxication with opioids and stimulants, such as amphetamines, is increasing particularly among young people. In this study, we investigated demographic factors, duration of hospitalization, costs of hospitalization, and cause of death in patients intoxicated with amphetamines and opioids. This study was a prospective descriptive–analytic study. Sampling method was census, and Subjects were patients intoxicated with amphetamines and opioids, alone or combined, who referred to toxicology ward of Ali-Asghar hospital in Isfahan, from October 2009 to April 2010. During 6 months, among 2325 subjects, 419 patients used opioids, 98 patients used amphetamines, and 25 patients used both of them. The mean age of patients in the three groups was not significantly different. Most patients were male in all groups. The most common route of intoxication was orally in opioid group and inhalation in amphetamine group. The most common cause of intoxication was intentional attempt. Vital signs at admission were normal in three groups, but the average of heart rate, body temperature, respiratory rate and blood pressure, was slightly higher in the amphetamine group than the opioid group. Duration and cost of hospitalization were not significantly different between groups. Four patients were died totally and the outcome was not significantly different between groups. The mean age and duration of hospitalization were significantly higher in died compared to living patients. Opioids and amphetamines accounted for high percentages of intoxication, especially in young single men with self-employed job. Therefore, control and prevention of opioids and amphetamines consumption are important ways to reduce this kind of intoxication in this group.