Comparison of poisoning patterns during COVID-19 pandemic with the trend analysis-predicted models
Journal
Clinical Toxicology
Date Issued
2023-05
Author(s)
Bekjarovski, Niko
Berat Huseini, Afrodita
Naumoski, Kiril
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2023.2192024
Abstract
Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a
reduced number of acute poisonings and changes in poisoning
pattern in some countries. The aim of our study is to compare
the profile of acute poisonings in 2020–2021 with the registered
poisoning pattern in the previous 10-year period (2010–2019).
Methods: Data from the Poisons Information Centre (PIC),
University Clinic of Toxicology, Skopje, North Macedonia were
analysed in a two-year retrospective study including data of 2212
acutely poisoned patients compared to the data from the trend
analysis of registered poisonings in the past 10-year period
(2010–2019).
Results: During 2020 and 2021, a continuous decrease in poisonings was registered (23.6 and 25.7%, respectively), with a more
significant decrease in females (30.5 and 26.8%, respectively)
than in males (17.5 and 24.8%, respectively) compared to the
predicted values. Beside the increased poisoning in males, there
was no significant difference in gender distribution between the
two observed years (v2¼2.304, df ¼1, p ¼ 0.129). There was significant partial association of females and recovery outcome in
the last two years (v2¼ 5.743, df ¼1, p ¼ 0.017). The smallest
decrease expressed in percentage change for 2020 and 2021 was
registered for alcohol poisoning (17.8 and 15.7%, respectively),
and psychoactive substance (PAS) use (22.4 and 23.3%) while the
largest decrease was observed in drug poisoning (26.4 and
28.7%) followed by poisoning with chemicals (24.0 and 26.3%).
During 2020, the biggest decrease compared to the predicted
values was observed among adolescents (27.7%), then among
the elderly (25.6%) and the smallest among adults (18.8%). In
2021, adolescents and the elderly had a smaller decrease compared to the predicted values (22.7 and 22.0%, respectively)
and to the previous year.
Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021,
acute poisonings maintained a decreasing trend in comparison
with predicated values according to the trend line statistic based
on data from the previous 10 years. We registered a smaller
decrease in the number of acute alcohol intoxications and use of
PAS comparing to other types of poisoning, and an increase in
poisonings in men. All of this indicates a changed intoxication
pattern and an increased need to direct more medical attention
to the treatment of PAS and alcohol abuse.
reduced number of acute poisonings and changes in poisoning
pattern in some countries. The aim of our study is to compare
the profile of acute poisonings in 2020–2021 with the registered
poisoning pattern in the previous 10-year period (2010–2019).
Methods: Data from the Poisons Information Centre (PIC),
University Clinic of Toxicology, Skopje, North Macedonia were
analysed in a two-year retrospective study including data of 2212
acutely poisoned patients compared to the data from the trend
analysis of registered poisonings in the past 10-year period
(2010–2019).
Results: During 2020 and 2021, a continuous decrease in poisonings was registered (23.6 and 25.7%, respectively), with a more
significant decrease in females (30.5 and 26.8%, respectively)
than in males (17.5 and 24.8%, respectively) compared to the
predicted values. Beside the increased poisoning in males, there
was no significant difference in gender distribution between the
two observed years (v2¼2.304, df ¼1, p ¼ 0.129). There was significant partial association of females and recovery outcome in
the last two years (v2¼ 5.743, df ¼1, p ¼ 0.017). The smallest
decrease expressed in percentage change for 2020 and 2021 was
registered for alcohol poisoning (17.8 and 15.7%, respectively),
and psychoactive substance (PAS) use (22.4 and 23.3%) while the
largest decrease was observed in drug poisoning (26.4 and
28.7%) followed by poisoning with chemicals (24.0 and 26.3%).
During 2020, the biggest decrease compared to the predicted
values was observed among adolescents (27.7%), then among
the elderly (25.6%) and the smallest among adults (18.8%). In
2021, adolescents and the elderly had a smaller decrease compared to the predicted values (22.7 and 22.0%, respectively)
and to the previous year.
Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021,
acute poisonings maintained a decreasing trend in comparison
with predicated values according to the trend line statistic based
on data from the previous 10 years. We registered a smaller
decrease in the number of acute alcohol intoxications and use of
PAS comparing to other types of poisoning, and an increase in
poisonings in men. All of this indicates a changed intoxication
pattern and an increased need to direct more medical attention
to the treatment of PAS and alcohol abuse.
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