An Investigation into the Frequency and Clinical Symptoms of Lithium Poisoning in patients Admitted to Razi Hospital, Ahvaz in ۲۰۱۵ -۲۰۱۸

Background: Bipolar disorder (BD) is considered as a severe mental disease. Lithium, which is widely used to treat BD, has a limited therapeutic index, and its toxicity is common in people who use it. Lithium poisoning can occur intentionally or accidentally.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we assembled data from ۲۱ profiles of patients with lithium poisoning that referred to Razi Hospital in Ahvaz from ۲۰۱۵ to ۲۰۱۸. After studying the records of lithium poisoning patients, the checklist was adjusted based on demographic characteristics (age, gender, and cause of poisoning) and clinical information (need for dialysis, duration of hospitalization, clinical signs, and …). The data were analyzed using the SPSS software.Results: Finding shows that among ۲۱ subjects, ۱۰ patients (۴۷.۶%) were men and ۱۱ (۵۲.۴%) were women. In addition, most of the patients poisoned with lithium (۴۷.۶%) were in the age range of ۲۰-۲۹ years. Among all patients younger than ۵۰ years, poisoning was caused by suicide. Also, decreased consciousness (۴۷.۶%) was the most common symptom of poisoning, and ۱۶ patients (۷۶.۲%) were hospitalized in the ICU. ۷۱.۴% of lithium poisoning patients were associated with concomitant use of other drugs, and one person died in this study. Conclusion: Considering the use of lithium with the intention of suicide in ۹۰.۵% of cases with lithium poisoning and also the significant simultaneous use of lithium with antidepressants and hypnotic drugs, further research should be seemingly performed in the psychological and social fields for preventive measures, as well as planning to reduce committing suicide and poisoning.    

Keywords:

Lithium , Poisoning , patient , Suicide , Iran