Characteristics of 76,113 Acute Poisoning Cases Registered in Emergency Medical System of Tehran Province; A Cross-sectional Study.

Abstract

Introduction: Understanding the epidemiological patterns of poisoning cases in specific regions is essential for health authorities to implement preventive measures and strategic planning. This study aimed to describe the epidemiologic characteristics of acute poisoning cases registered in Tehran province's emergency medical services (EMS).

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on all registered acute poisoning cases from 2022 to 2024 in the Asayar database of Tehran Province's EMS. The cases were included through census sampling and descriptive analysis was used for evaluating the epidemiologic characteristics of registered cases.

Results: 76,113 acute poisoning cases were registered by Tehran Province EMS during the study period. The mean age of cases was 34.3 ± 15.0 years (59.1% male). The most frequent method of poisoning was oral, with 71,521 (94.0%) cases, and inhalational, with 3,236 (4.2%) cases. The highest number of cases was reported in the eastern region of Tehran with 15,058 cases. Seasonal distribution of poisonings was as follows: 20,201 (26.6%) cases in summer, 21,322(28.0%) cases in winter, 21,105 (27.7%) cases in autumn, and 13,485 (17.7%) cases in spring. Most poisonings occurred in residential settings, accounting for 72,194 (94.9%) cases. The most frequent used antidote was naloxone, in 12,662 (16.6%) cases, and atropine, in 961 (1.3%) cases.

Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, the most vulnerable population groups to the poisoning were young individuals, males, and those with a history of psychiatric illness and substance abuse, predominantly affected by oral route. The geographical and temporal distribution of poisonings highlights the need for targeted preventive interventions, public education, and enhancement of prehospital emergency service infrastructure in high-risk areas.