Drug intoxication at the critical care and toxicology unit of the Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona teaching hospital, Antananarivo, Madagascar

RAMAROLAHY Rija Niaina; RAKOTOMAVO Falihery Albertin; RAZAFINDRAIBE Faneva Angelo Parfait; RAKOTOARISON Ratsaraharimanana Catherine Nicole; RAVELOSON Nasolotsiry Enintsoa

Volume : IX, Issue : I, January - 2020

Drug intoxication at the critical care and toxicology unit of the Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona teaching hospital, Antananarivo, Madagascar

Ramarolahy Rija Niaina, Rakotomavo Falihery Albertin, Razafindraibe Faneva Angelo Parfait, Rakotoarison Ratsaraharimanana Catherine Nicole, Raveloson Nasolotsiry Enintsoa

Abstract :

Introduction: Drug intoxications are a major public health problem in the world. Our study consists in describing the clinical and evolutionary characteristics of drug intoxications. Methods: It was a retrospective, cross–sectional and descriptive study of patients admitted to the critical care and toxicology unit of the Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona teaching hospital, Antananarivo, Madagascar, from January to December 2013 for drug intoxications. Results: One hundred and thirty–four patients were retained during the study period. A female predominance was noted (52.23%). The average age of the patients was 26.12 ± 13.28 years old. Psychotropic drugs (27.6%) and analgesics (14.9%) were the most incriminated drugs. Intoxication was voluntary in 90% of cases. Neuromuscular disorders (56.71%), cardiovascular disorders (55.22%) and respiratory disorders (35.07%) were the most observed types of disorders. Patients’ evolution was favourable in 99.2% of cases. Conclusion: Drug intoxication is a frequent reason for admission to our department with a favourable prognosis. Prevention remains the best way to fight against intoxications.