Tricyclic antidepressants intoxication in Tehran, Iran: epidemiology and associated factors.
BACKGROUND
Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) intoxication contributes a large number of drug toxicities with serious complications. There are a few studies about factors associated with TCA intoxication. This study therefore aimed to identify determinants of this type of intoxication.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was carried out at Loghman-Hakim Poison Hospital during a 6-month period. All poisoned patients aged >12 years presented to this hospital during the mentioned period were evaluated. Then, TCA-poisoned patients were compared with other drug intoxications as the control group to determine factors associated with TCA intoxications.


RESULTS
There were 9809 admissions, of which 1583 (16.1%) patients including 601 (38%) males were intoxicated with TCAs. Mean age of the subjects was 26.5 + 10 years. Most of the TCA intoxications (74.4%) were intentional (p = 0.01). Amitriptyline was the most frequent agent followed by Nortriptyline. There was no significant difference between TCA and non-TCA intoxications regarding the mortality (1.3% in TCA vs. 1.1% in others, p = 0.45). Logistic regression analysis revealed that sex, addiction status, and history of psychological problems have association with TCA intoxication.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study are helpful in identifying individuals who are prone to TCA intoxication and may be useful in implementation of preventive strategies.
Dianat
Saied
S
Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, Sina Hospital, Tehrarn University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Zarei
Mohammd-Reza
MR
Hassanian-Moghaddam
Hossein
H
Rashidi-Ranjbar
Neda
N
Rahimian
Reza
R
Rasouli
Mohammad R
MR
D000328:Adult; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000506:poisoning; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000506:poisoning*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009661:Nortriptyline / Q000506:poisoning; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D000639:Amitriptyline; D009661:Nortriptyline