[Severe poisonings in intensive care unit: study of announced substances in 2011].

INTRODUCTION

To treat poisonings, physicians must rapidly make a diagnosis. As of today, exhaustive data on most frequently reported toxics are not available in France.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of announced substances at patients' admissions in intensive care unit for poisoning in 2011 at Lariboisière hospital. Announced substances were collected from anamnesis reported in patient medical records. Verbatims were harmonized and substances classified in medicinal products and three categories of non-medicinal products (recreational/addictive drugs, others, unknown nature).

RESULTS

Three hundred and fifteen patients were included, with 891 announced specified substances corresponding to 198 different verbatims. Most of them (83%) are medicinal products (mainly nervous and cardiovascular system molecules). There were 13% of recreational/addictive substances, 3% of other non-medicinal substances. Of the occurrences, 1.5% represent unknown substances.

DISCUSSION: These substances supposedly used in poisoning should be included in toxicology learning programs. Their dosage should be possibly performed in routine by toxicology laboratories.

CONCLUSION

An ongoing study in a prospective and retrospective manner will become an observatory of the substances involved in poisoning.