TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2017//
TI  - Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with acute drug intoxication admitted to ICU
JO  - Journal of community hospital internal medicine perspectives
A1  - Orsini, Jose
A1  - Din, Nanda
A1  - Elahi, Ershad
A1  - Gomez, Anthony
A1  - Rajayer, Salil
A1  - Malik, Ryan
A1  - Jean, Elie
SP  - 202
EP  - 207
VL  - 7
IS  - 4
N2  - BACKGROUND: Drug overdose continues to be the most common cause of acute poisoning worldwide. There has been a substantial increase in drug overdose incidence and prevalence over the past decade, probably as a result of the emergence of new synthetic designer drugs. The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with acute drug intoxication admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). <br><br>METHODS: A single center, prospective, observational study was conducted among all adult patients with clinical signs suggestive of acute drug intoxication admitted from the Emergency Department (ED) to ICU during a 6-month period (September to March). <br><br>RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were admitted. Their median age was 49 years (mean 48.2, range 20-72), and the majority were male (48, 74%). Median Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score on admission to ICU was 6 (mean 6, range 0-13). Fifty-five patients (85%) had a positive urine and/or serum toxicology screen. Most commonly detected substances were: opiates (18, 33%), cocaine (13, 24%), methadone (12, 22%), benzodiazepines (10, 18%), and marijuana (9, 16%). In 16 patients (29%), >1 substance was isolated. Twenty-three patients (35%) had negative urine toxicology screen. Ethyl alcohol was detected in the serum of 23 patients (35%). Five patients (8%) expired in ICU. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Classic recreational drugs remain the most common substances involved in acute drug poisoning. More sensitive detection methods are warranted to identify new designer drugs of abuse such as synthetic cannabinoids.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 2000-9666
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20009666.2017.1356189
ID  - ref1
ER  -