Prevalence of depression in patients with drug, medication, and chemical poisoning

Subject Areas :

Elham Mirzaali ¹ , Nima Safa ^{2 *} , Hadis kamyab ³ , Ladan Shahba ⁴

1 - Faculty of Medicine, Ke.C., Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran
2 - Faculty of Medicine, Ke.C., Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran
3 - Faculty of Medicine, Ke.C., Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran
4 - Faculty of Medicine, Ke.C., Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran

Received: 2024-11-16 Accepted : 2025-07-14 Published : 2025-09-13

Keywords: Depression, poisoning, chemical medicine, drugs,

Abstract :

Background: acute poisoning, a common cause of emergency visits, can be intentional or unintentional. In Iran, most deliberate poisoning occurs in young adults, often linked to depression. Depression increases suicide risk through drug or chemical use. This study aims to assess the frequency of depression in patients with narcotic, medication, and chemical poisoning. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 130 patients poisoned by narcotics medications, and chemicals who visited the emergency room of Payambar Azam Hospital in Kerman in 2022 were examined. Variables such as age, sex, marital status, education level, previous history and type of poisoning were recorded. The Beck Depression Questionnaire was used to assess depression. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and SPSS version 20. Results: The study included 80.8% women and 19.2% men, with an average age of 25.71 years. Among the participants, 40% were students, and 51.5% had not completed high school. A total of 20.8% had a history of previous poisoning, and 60.8% had used chemical substances. 77 patients were diagnosed with depression. Depression scores were higher in individuals with a history of poisoning and those using chemical substances, while other demographic factors showed no significant differences Conclusion: to prevent drug poisoning, it is recommended to conduct public education initiatives to increase awareness through mass media.

References:

1. Wilde M, Sommer MJ, Auwärter V, Hermanns-Clausen M. Acute severe intoxication with cyclopropylfentanyl, a novel synthetic opioid. . s.l. : Toxicology letters, 2020.
2. Piccioni A, Cicchinelli S, Saviano L, Gilardi E, Zanza C, Brigida M, Tullo G, Volonnino G, Covino M, Franceschi F, La Russa R. Risk management in first aid for acute drug intoxication. . s.l. : International journal of environmental research and public health, 2020.
3. RH., . McIntosh. Criminal Law: Temporary Insanity Produced by Voluntary Intoxication. s.l. : Florida Law Review, 2021.
4. . de Morais DR, Lanaro R, Barbosa IL, Santos JM, Cunha KF, Hernandes VV, Tessaro EP, Gomes CS, Eberlin MN, Costa JL. Ayahuasca and Kambo intoxication after alternative natural therapy for depression, confirmed by mass spectrometry. . s.l. : Forensic Toxicology, 2018.
5. . Rahimi M, Kargar A, Fetratjoo DH, Hosseini SM, Mahdavinejad A, Shadnia S. Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of 907 Cases with Naltrexone Intoxication; a 14-Year Cross-Sectional Study. . s.l. : Archives of Academic Emergency Medicine. , 2022.
6. Goudarzi MH, Eizadi-Mood N, Mansourian M, Mohammadi-Jouabadi S, Peymani P, Sabzghabaee AM. Pediatric toxicoepidemiology of tramadol intoxication in Iran: A 5-year cross-sectional study. s.l. : Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice, 2020.
7. Wang J, Wu X, Lai W, Long E, Zhang X, Li W, Zhu Y, Chen C, Zhong X, Liu Z, Wang D. Prevalence of depression and depressive symptoms among outpatients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. s.l. : BMJ open, 2017.
8. Izzeddin A. Alshawwa, Mohammed Elkahlout, Hosni Qasim El-Mashharawi & Samy S. Abu-Naser. An Expert System for Depression Diagnosis. s.l. : International Journal of Academic Health and Medical Research (IJAHMR) , 2019.
9. D. J. Stein, K. A. Phillips , D. Bolton , K. W. M. Fulford , J. Z. Sadler and K. S. Kendler. What is a mental/psychiatric disorder? From DSM-IV to DSM-V. s.l. : Cambridge University Press, 2010.
10. . Musić Milanović S, Erjavec K, Poljičanin T, Vrabec B, Brečić P. Prevalence of depression symptoms and associated socio-demographic factors in primary health care patients. s.l. : Psychiatria Danubina, 2015.
11. Larry S. Goldman MD, Nancy H. Nielsen MD, PhD, Hunter C. Champion,. Awareness, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Depression. s.l. : Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2001.
12. Laura Orsolini, Roberto Latini, Maurizio Pompili, Gianluca Serafini, Umberto Volpe, Federica Vellante, Michele Fornaro, Alessandro Valchera, Carmine Tomasetti, Silvia Fraticelli, Marco Alessandrini, Raffaella La Rovere,Sabatino Trot. Understanding the Complex of Suicide in Depression: from Research to Clinics. s.l. : Psychiatry Investig, 2020.
13. S.J,  MOHAMMAD HOSSEINI S. | KARIMI Z. | AFRASEYABIFAR A. | NAEIMI E. | MOGHIMI M. | SADAT. CAUSES OF ACUTE POISONING HOSPITAL ADMISSION IN SHAHID BEHESHTI HOSPITAL OF YASUJ, 2008. s.l. : Scientific Information Database, 2008.
14. Torkashvand F, Sheikh Fathollahi M, Shamsi S, Kamali M, Rezaeian M. Evaluating the Pattern of Acute Poisoning in Cases Referred to the Emergency Department of Ali-ebn Abi Taleb Hospital of Rafsanjan from October 2013 to September 2014 . s.l. : JRUMS, 2015.
15. Xiang Y, Zhao W, Xiang H, Gary A, SmithW. ED . visits for drug-related poisoning in the United States, 2007. s.l. : American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2012.
16. . Tuusov J, Vals K, Tõnisson M, et al. Fatal Poisoning in Estonia 2000-2009.Trends in Illegal DrugRelated Deaths. . s.l. : Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, 2013.
17. aghakhani N, cheraghi R, zarei A, Vahabzadeh D, roshani R, Boushehri B. LEVEL OF SERUM CHOLESTEROL AND DEPRESSION RELATIONSHIP IN PATIENTS REFERED TO THE POISONING DEPARTMENT OF TALEGHANI EDUCATIONAL AND TREATMENT CENTER IN URMIA. s.l. : UMSU PRESS, 2019.
18. Ghaleiha A, Behroozi Fard F. Epidemiologic Survey of Suicide Attempters Hospitalized in Hamadan Sina Hospital in 2001-2002. s.l. : Avicenna J Clin Med, 2007.
19. Shirzad J, Gharedaghi J. Study of methods and causes of Suicides resulting in death referred to Legal Medicine Organization of IRAN in first six month of 2004. s.l. : Iran J Forensic Med, 2007.
20. Mohammadi nia ali, jalilian jafar, shayesteh yaghoob,. Characteristics of Patients Hospitalized with drug and substance abuse in Gorgan, Iran, 2008 - 2015. s.l. : IJEC, 2017.
21. Yoon YH, Chen CM, Yi HY. Unintentional alcohol and drug poisoning in association with substance use disorders and mood and anxiety disorders: results from the 2010 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. s.l. : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent, 2016.
22. . Cox S, Kuo C, Jamieson DJ, et al. Poisoning hospitalizations among reproductive-aged women in the USA, 1998-2006. . s.l. : Inj Prev, 2011.
23. Mohammad Hoseini S., Karimi Z., Afrasiabi far A. Naeimi E., Moghimi M., Sadat J. the reasons of acute poisoning leads to admitting in th Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Yasouj,Iran. s.l. : SID, 2013.