Caracterização do perfil de casos de intoxicações exógenas por medicamentos no Estado do Pará

Abstract

Medicines, when used properly, are essential for the treatment of diseases and illnesses. But when the medication is used incorrectly or consumed without medical criteria, it can harm health and bring serious complications that range from intoxication to more serious problems, possibly leading to death. The objective of the present study was to characterize the cases of intoxication and deaths related to drug intoxication in the state of Pará. This is an ecological, exploratory and descriptive study, conducted between August and November 2021, based on data available on the website of the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS), where data were collected through the Information System of Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) and the Mortality Information System (SIM). Analyzing the following variables sex, color and race, education, age group and circumstance for cases of exogenous drug intoxication, besides the variable circumstance according to ICD-10 codes (F13.0, F15.0, P93, X40, X41, X43, X44, X60, X61, X63, X64, Y10, Y11, Y13, Y14) referring to the toxic agent medication for cases of mortality from drug intoxication. The results show high rates of drug intoxication in children aged 1 to 4 years and adults aged 20 to 39 years, where the highest incidence occurs in females and in individuals of brown color. The most common circumstance was attempted suicide, which coincided with the cases of deaths found also related to suicide. Therefore, it is necessary to promote actions that involve guidance on the correct use and storage of medicines, as well as clarification and expansion of the dissemination of information about the medications used and their adverse reactions. The health professional has a fundamental role in the prevention of diseases related to the indiscriminate use of medicines, and thus it is essential to incorporate the collective health professional as a transforming agent and a driver of new ideas that can contribute to improving the quality of care and health demands. However, the importance of the creation of more Toxicological Information Centers in the state was also highlighted, in order to have a broader approach about exogenous intoxication by medication and other toxic agents.