Refined Opium Extract (Shireh) Poisoning: A ۱۰-Year Retrospective Study in a Referral Poison Control Centre in Iran

Background: There is limited data on refined opium extract (Shireh) abuse, especially the magnitude of its complications and its mortality rates. To bridge such a gap, in this study, we aimed to investigate the frequency of pure refined opium extract poisoning and its consequences in a sample of our patients. Methods:This retrospective study was conducted on all the patients presented to our center with pure refined opium extract poisoning. Patients’ demographics, clinical and laboratory data, and outcome were collected during a ten-year period between ۲۰۰۶ and ۲۰۱۶. The included patients were divided into two groups: those who remained conscious and those who developed loss of consciousness. However, they were compared subsequently. Results:A total of ۲۲۷ patients were evaluated. Most (۷۵.۸ %) of them were male. Mean age was ۳۸.۲۶±۲۵.۹۱ years. We found a significant correlation between educational (.۰۳۸), marital (<.۰۰۱), and occupational status (<.۰۰۱) and age-gender groups of the patients. The mean amount of refined opium extract consumed was ۴۴۰۰ mg which had significant correlation with hospitalization period (<.۰۰۱) and on-arrival rhabdomyolysis (<.۰۰۱). We also found a correlation in vomiting (<.۰۰۱), dizziness (.۰۱۵), respiratory distress (.۰۰۱), and apnea (<.۰۰۱) between the two groups. The mean hospitalization period was ۲.۳ days and the mortality rate was ۱.۷۶%. Conclusion: Naloxone therapy use effective in most cases of pure poisoning with refined opium extract. There were four deaths incidences three of which happened due to cardiopulmonary arrest following body packing. Further studies in this type of poisoning are recommended.

Keywords:

Opium , Toxicity , Poisoning , Mortality , Iran