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Objectives: The aim of this study has been to assess the characteristics of acute poisoning deaths in Poland over a period of time 2009-2013., Material and Methods: The analysis was based on the data obtained from the patient records stored in toxicology departments in 6 cities - Łódź, Kraków, Sosnowiec, Gdańsk, Wrocław and Poznań. Toxicological analyses were routinely performed in blood and/or urine. Major toxic substances were classified to one of the following categories: pharmaceuticals, alcohol group poisonings (ethanol and other alcohols), gases, solvents, drugs of abuse, pesticides, metals, mushrooms, others. Cases were analyzed according to the following criteria: year, age and gender of analyzed patients, toxic substance category and type of poisoning. The recorded fatal poisonings were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases., Results: The record of 261 deaths were retrospectively reviewed. There were 187 males (71.64%) and 74 females (28.36%) and the male to female ratio was 2.52. Alcohol group poisonings were more frequently responsible for deaths in men compared to all poisonings, 91.1% vs. 71.6%, respectively (p < 0.05), and pharmaceutical agents were more frequently responsible for deaths in women, 47.4% vs. 28.4%, (p < 0.05). Methanol was the most common agent in the alcohol group poisonings, accounting for 43.75% (N = 49), followed by ethylene glycol, 39.29% (N = 44), and ethanol, 16.96% (N = 19)., Conclusions: Epidemiological profile data from investigation of poisoning deaths in Poland may be very useful for the development of preventive programs. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(6):897-908., (This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.)

The aim of the paper was to study frequency of laboratory determinations and toxicological information related to over-the-counter drugs (OTC): paracetamol (acetaminophen), salicylates and dextromethorphan. The research was based on data from Toxicological Laboratory and Poison Information Center UJ CM in Krakow in years 2010-2015. Paracetamol was determined averagely 102 times a year, more than 50% (57 cases) were positive with confirmation of poisoning. The least number of paracetamol poisoning was noted in 2011 (35 cases), the most were in 2015 (98 cases). In the time span there were averagely 40 salicylates check measurements a year, less than 50% (15 cases) were positive. Dextromethorphane was confirmed averagely in 31 patients a year, decrease of the drug intoxications was noted in 2013-2015. Paracetamol and dextromethorphan were the most often the cause of poisoning in group of patients 13-18 years old, salicylates – more than 30 years. In the group of small children there were only a few poisonings with paracetamol. Toxicological information data related to paracetamol, salicylates and dextromethorphan were similar to data from toxicological laboratory. Mean year numbers of drug poisoning information were: 90 (paracetamol), 14 (salicylates), 30 (dextromethorphan). The differences were in patients age distribution. Acute poisonings with OTC were related mainly to paracetamol, young patients (13- 18 years) and young adults (19-29 years). Salicylates poisoning information were related mainly to the group of adult patients (> 30 years), dextromethorphan was abused mainly by oung patients (13-18 years). There were no observed poisonings with salicylates and dextromethorphan in children, but there were toxicological information about paracetamol and salicylates poisoning and overdose in group of children (1-6 years).

The total number of out-patients and hospitalized poisoned patients above 14 years old in Krakow in 1966 was 520 and 2132 in 1983. The incidence of poisoning per 10 000 of Kraków population in 1966 was 25.0 and increased to 36.2 in 1983. The mortality in 1966 was 0.75%. It was low also in 1983 – 1.01%, whatever reached 7.8% if forensic data were included (the fatalities on the spot). There were 847 poisoned patient hospitalized in Clinic of Toxicology UJ CM in 2015 and mortality in this group was 1.06%. Forensic analysis shown decreasing number of deaths on the spot (154 in 1983 and 89 in 2015). The percentage of poisoned with ethanol was declining (78.9% in 1983 and 57.3% in 2015). The frequency of patients treated in intensive care unit were increased from 6% in 1966 to 21.7% in 2015. The percentage of addicted acute intoxicated patients was lower (8%) in 1983 and achieved 21.7% in 2015. Poisoning structure, particularly pharmaceuticals, significantly influenced medical procedures performed in intensive care unit, especially administration of antidotes (5% in 1966 and 48.9% in 2015). Social evolution and changes of culture habits increased percentage of addiction but the number of deaths caused by ethanol on the spot was smaller.

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was an evaluation of clinical factors affecting relationship between ethanol concentration and clinical status in case of acute ethanol poisoning in the 70s and the 80s of the 20th century and 2011-2013 y. Ethanol blood concentration was a criterion of ethanol dose, grade of coma was a decisive factor of toxic effect., Material and Methods: 112 patients treated at the Department of Clinical Toxicology Jagiellonian University Medical College in 1974-1975 y, 232 treated in 1984-1985 y and 663 treated in 2011-2013 y because of acute ethanol poisoning were analyzed. The degree of coma was evaluated according to Matthew's scale. Ethanol plasma concentration in each case was measured., Results: The lowest ethanol blood concentrations in the youngest (<19 y) and the oldest (>60 y) groups were noted also the highest in group of adults (30-49 y). The three-gradual relationship between ethanol plasma level and degree of toxic coma was distinguished. However, the average of ethanol blood concentration were statistically significant in every degree of coma in 2011-2013 y. A statistically significant increase in number of patients in 0 coma grade with severe withdrawal symptoms, alcohol psychosis or epilepsy were noted, also decrease of patient in IV degree of coma., Conclusions: The increase ethanol tolerance in the group of acute ethanol poisoned patients shows their ethanol addiction.