Author/Editor		Lipnik-Štangelj, Metoda
Title		Hospitalizations due to poisonings in Slovenia - epidemiological aspects
Type		članek
Source		Wien Klin Wochenschr Suppl
Vol. and No.		Letnik 122, št. Suppl 2
Publication year		2010
Volume		str. 54-8
Language		eng
Abstract		Introduction: Poisonings continue to be an important public health problem. Here we review the incidence and trend of poisoning by medicaments, drugs and biological substances in Slovenia during a five-year period, 2001-2005. We also investigate the etiological and demographic characteristics of poisoning cases in the Slovenian population, based on acute-poisoning admissions to hospitals in Slovenia. Patients, materials and methods: this retrospective study comprised all cases of poisoning admitted to Slovenian hospitals during a five-year period. Data were obtained from the Annual Health Statistics and from the Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Slovenia. Results: Poisonings by medicaments, drugs anti biological substances were found to represent more than half (61%) of the poisonings treated in hospitals. Female poisonings were recorded at a higher rate than male poisonings. the majority of cases occurred in the age group 15-49 years but age groups 1-3 years and > 65 years were also shown to be at risk. Children under 3 years of age were poisoned by accident, whereas most cases in teenagers and adults were intentional poisonings (attempted suicide); in the oldest age group, rates of intentional and unintentional poisonings were similar. Although there was a significant downward tend in the overall number of cases from 2001 to 2005, the incidence in children aged 1-3 years and in persons > 66 years remained the same. Conclusiohs: Poisoning is an important health problem. A multidisciplinary approach is required so that preventive measures may be increased for all groups at risk.
Descriptors		POISONING HOSPITALIZATION INCIDENCE SLOVENIA