title: Evaluation of poisoning deaths in the Cukurova Region, Turkey, 2007-2011.
abstract: Complications of substances detected in poisoning deaths are important in order to observe changes in poisoning patterns and to monitor effects of preventive work. The aim of the present study was to describe the characteristics of substances investigated and detected in poisoning deaths by Adana Group Authority of the Council of Forensic Medicine, Department of Forensic Chemistry, Cukurova, Turkey, between 2007 and 2011 retrospectively. A total of 7681 examinations were performed, of which, 7% (n = 564) determined positive for at least one compound investigated. Ages of the cases ranged from 1 to 97 years (mean ± SD: 36.10 ±19.16). Carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings were found most frequently with an incidence of 27.0%, followed by prescription medications with 25.0%. Illegal drug poisonings were present in 20.0% of blood and urine samples analyzed. Pesticides, mostly endosulfan, were found in 13.0% of the 564 cases investigated. In the blood samples analyzed, methyl and ethyl alcohol were detected in 14.0% and volatile substances in 1.0%. Overall, this study has managed to contribute substantial additional information regarding the epidemiology of poisoning in Cukurova region, Southern Turkey. The results confirm other epidemiological data that indicate CO as the major cause of poisoning deaths in Turkey.
authors.affiliation: Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey diakunal@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Dilek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Battal
authors.affiliation: Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayca
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aktas
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sungur
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nursel Gamsiz
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Bilgin
authors.affiliation: Turkish Forensic Medicine Council, Adana Group Administration, Adana, Turkey.
authors.forename: Necmi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cekin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000506:poisoning; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010575:Pesticides / Q000506:poisoning; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000506:poisoning; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D010575:Pesticides; D055553:Prescription Drugs
keywords: Poisoning deaths; autopsy; case profiling; postmortem; retrospective analysis