The Analysis of Toxicological Situation According to Three Specialized Centers of Russian Federation

The relevance of the study is associated with the exceptional medical and social significance of the issues of toxicological assistance. In order to improve toxicological assistance to the population, we analyzed the dynamics of patient admission to major toxicological centers in St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk and Kazan in 2011–2017, which revealed a significant increase in the number of patients with a toxicological pathology and unidirectional changes in the structure of acute poisoning. We used statistical and analytical research methods. According to the results of the study, in all three centers the proportion of poisoning by narcotic substances increased, and the qualitative characteristics of poisoning changed (compared to 2011). Poisonings with opioid alkaloids and heroin haven’t been substantially found recently; the main proportion of poisonings was associated with the use of synthetic drugs (phencyclidines, piperazines, synthetic cathinones, synthetic cannabinoids, amphetamines, γ-butyrolactone and 1,4-butanediol, etc.). The proportion of patients with ethanol poisoning increased significantly: the number grew by 2.5 times in St. Petersburg, 3.0 times in Novosibirsk and 30% in Kazan. At the same time, the number of drug poisoning decreased in all three centers by an average of 20–30%. The number of carbon monoxide poisoning has also decreased in St. Petersburg and Novosibirsk. Data were obtained on some regional features of poisoning. The prevalence of poisoning by cauterizing agents in Novosibirsk and by plant poisons in Kazan. Despite a decline of mortality, the absolute number of deaths by acute poisoning during the study period increased. The study resulted in an attempt to identify the main problems and tasks of the toxicological service at present and to develop mechanisms for its improvement, taking into account modern changes in the volumes and structure of acute poisonings.

Authors declare lack of the conflicts of interests.

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