일개 응급의료센터를 내원한 급성약물중독 환자의 임상적 고찰

Abstract

Purpose: Numbers of drug-intoxicated patients are increasing with rapidly changing life styles and the development of industry. This study was designed to produce recommendations for the management of these patients. Methods: Clinical assessment were made of 288 cases of drug- intoxicated patients who visited the emergency department of Chosun University Hospital during the period from September 2001 to August 2006. Results: 1. The total number of cases of acute drug intoxication was 288, which was 0.33% of all patients presented at the emergency center. 2. Drug-intoxicated patients were predominantly male, with the highest incidence of intoxication among patients above the seventh decade of age(21.5%) and the next highest among those above the sixth decade. 3. 12.1% of patients visited in March. spring was the season of the year with the largest percentage of total admission. 4. 64.6% of patients were from rural areas, and 83.7% of patients were referred from other hospitals. 5. A Suicidal attempt was the most common reason for intoxication(80.9%). The most common intoxicating drugs, in order, were insecticides, herbicide, acid-alkali materials, and centrally active agents. 6. Unstable vital signs were observed for 29.9% of patients, and unclear mental stats was observed in 43.4% of patients. 7. Mean duration of admission was 8.9days, and the mean duration of intensive care was 4.5 days. The mortality rate in these cases was 20.5%. 8. 16% of patients had a psychotic problem, and 30.2% of these were newly detected during admission. Depressive disorder was the most common psychotic problem(27%). Conclusion: The majority of intoxicated patients had ingested drugs for a suicide attempt, and many of the drugs used are associated with a severe prognosis. We feel that new educational programs for preventing acute drug intoxication and strict legal control of drugs are important and necessary.