title: The pattern of poisoning in southwestern region of iran: envenoming as the major cause.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An analysis performed on the collected data from the Local Drug and Poison Information Centre (DPIC) of Jundishapur University revealed that stings are the main causes of poisonings with frequency of 56%, followed by drug poisoning in 31%, and chemical exposure poisoning in 5.5% in Khuzestan, the southwestern province of Iran.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to report the prevalence of poisoning in Khuzestan province referred to hospitals during the year 2007, on the basis of documents from the local Drug and Poison Information Centre (DPIC) and the main Khuzestan Hospitals Discharge Registry, to elucidate demographic trends of poisoning in this region.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, 3258 cases of poisoning including 4.7% of all admissions to hospitals of Khuzestan during one year (2007) were investigated. Antidepressant drugs were the main-drug category inducing poisoning (24.37%). Others include sedative-hypnotics (19%), tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) (14.7%) and cardiovascular drugs (11.4%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The research showed that most poisonings are occurred in autumn (29.6%) season. Besides the high poisoning rate of envenoming by animals in Khuzestan province, it seems that the pattern of poisoning is different with other Iran and worldwide regions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This may raise the attention of health service policy makers in Iran to establish a more effective diagnosis, management and implementing health policy services.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahwaz, IR Iran ; Toxicology Research Center, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahwaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jalali
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahwaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Marzie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Savari
authors.affiliation: Medical School, Persian Gulf International Division of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Shaiesteh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dehdardargahi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahwaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Armita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azarpanah
keywords: Bites and Stings; Iran; Poisoning; Snake Bites