Clinical and Paraclinical Patterns of Opioid Poisoning: A Cross-Sectional Study in Hamadan, Iran

Introduction Opioids are widely utilized for their analgesic and sedative properties in pain management. This study aimed to study characterize the demographic, clinical, and paraclinical features of patients hospitalized due to opioid poisoning at Sina Hospital, Hamadan. Methods This retrospective study employed a census approach to enroll 280 patients admitted to the poisoning center of Sina Hospital, Hamadan, in western Iran, with a confirmed diagnosis of opioid poisoning. Data encompassing patients' demographic profiles, initial clinical history and findings upon hospital admission, results from comprehensive laboratory and paraclinical investigations, and ultimate treatment outcomes were systematically extracted from their medical records. The collected data were subsequently analyzed descriptively using SPSS software, version 26. Results The mean age of enrolled patients was 29.36±16.16 years. The majority of opioid poisoning cases were observed among males (83.6%), urban residents (78.2%), individuals with a diploma-level education (37.1%), and those who were self-employed (47.6%) or unemployed (23.9%). Furthermore, the predominant county of residence among these patients was Hamadan (57.14%). Urine toxicology analyses revealed high positivity rates for methadone (48.7%), tramadol (39.3%), and morphine (29.1%). The most prevalent clinical symptoms included drowsiness (77.9%), nausea (32.8%), headache (24.2%), miosis (25.3%), vomiting (20.7%), and dizziness (17.8%). Regarding the cause of poisoning, 43.6% (n=122) of cases resulted from consumption exceeding the prescribed daily dose, 30.4% (n=85) were attributed to intentional self-harm, and 26.1% (n=73) were of unknown etiology. Methadone (50.7%) and tramadol (25%) were the opioids most frequently implicated. The mean length of hospital stay was 2.33±1.27 days, and the overall mortality rate was 1.8%. Discussion The typical patient presenting with opioid poisoning in Hamadan during the study period was a male in his thirties, poisoned predominantly by methadone, tramadol, or opium. Approximately one-third of cases involved suicidal intent. Conclusion These findings underscore the ongoing public health challenge posed by opioid poisoning and emphasize the need for targeted preventive and management strategies.