Causes of acute poisoning with a fatal outcome in the Republic of Serbia in the period from 2010 to 2018

Teodora  Ćirić; Katarina  Baralić; Djurdjica Marić; Dragana  Javorac; Aleksandra  Buha Djordjević; Evica  Antonijević Miljaković; Marijana  Ćurčić; Zorica  Bulat; Biljana  Antonijević; Danijela Djukić-Ćosić

Teodora Ćirić University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology „Akademik Danilo Soldatović“
Katarina Baralić University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology „Akademik Danilo Soldatović“
Djurdjica Marić University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology „Akademik Danilo Soldatović“
Dragana Javorac University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology „Akademik Danilo Soldatović“
Aleksandra Buha Djordjević University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology „Akademik Danilo Soldatović“
Evica Antonijević Miljaković University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology „Akademik Danilo Soldatović“
Marijana Ćurčić University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology „Akademik Danilo Soldatović“
Zorica Bulat University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology „Akademik Danilo Soldatović“
Biljana Antonijević University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology „Akademik Danilo Soldatović“
Danijela Djukić-Ćosić University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology „Akademik Danilo Soldatović“

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to present data analysis on acute poisonings with fatal outcome in the Republic of Serbia in from 2010 to 2018, based on the published Annual reports of the National Poison Control Center of the Military Medical Academy. In the observed 9-year period, the most common cause of acute poisoning was alcohol (50%), followed by drugs (30.1%), while in the third and fourth place were psychoactive substances (7.1%) and gases 4%. Corrosive and pesticide poisoning was present in only 2% of the total number of examined patients per year. The most common reason for the hospitalization was due to drug poisoning (71%), corrosives (9%), pesticides (5%), psychoactive substances (4%), gases (4%) and other pathogens (7%). From 2010 to 2018, number of deaths due to acute poisoning ranged from 26 to 43 annually with an average value of 33. Of 290 deceased patients, 101 (34.9%) were of drug poisoning, 108 (38.5%) corrosives, 28 (9.8%) pesticides, 4 (1.4%) gases, 14 (4.6%) psychoactive substances and 37 (12.4%) other substances, predominantly alcohols and mushrooms. Combination of two or more drugs most often led to death (n=51), while among corrosives, hydrochloric acid was the most common (n=40). Of the pesticides, the most common were organophosphorus insecticides (n=14), while heroin was the most common psychoactive substance (n=7). The analyzed data indicated the importance of preventive measures that need to be carried out in our country to reduce the number of acute poisonings, especially the most severe forms that lead to death.

References

Annual Report of the NPCC MMA (2010-2018). National Poison Controle Centre, Military Medical Academy. Available at: http://www.vma.mod.gov.rs/sr-lat/specijalnosti/centri/nacionalni-centar-za-kontrolu-trovanja/godisnjak-NCKT