ABSTRACTS
Frequency of opioid overdoses in two hospitals in Bogotá, ColombiaAuthor: Patricia Caro | PHYSICIAN | CLINICAL TOXICOLOGIST Associate Authors: Izquierdo, Alejandra, Physician | Cáceres, Stevan, EMT | Perilla, Angie, EMT | Gutierrez, Stefania, EMT | Cairol, Andrés, Physician
Introduction Opioids have raised a global alert, not only due to their high risk of addiction but also because of their short-term consequences. Depending on the type of opioid, the dose, and the route of absorption, they can trigger respiratory depression, neurological impairment, pulmonary edema, hypotension, seizures, among others. Some of these effects can be reversed with an antidote called naloxone, a medication that can be administered both in hospital and prehospital settings. Considering that there is limited literature in Colombia regarding opioid intoxications, it is highly important to determine their frequency as well as their intra- and extra-hospital treatment. Materials and Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study in which information was collected from medical records of patients admitted in two hospital at Bogotá with opioid intoxication between 2018 and 2022. Results A total of 40 patients with opioid overdose were identified, the majority being women (60%). The main cause was suicide attempts, followed by recreational use. The most used opioids were tramadol (50%) and heroin (15%), and only six patients received naloxone. Conclusion Patients with opioid overdose are admitted to emergency services; however, there is underreporting—not only regarding management based on the type of opioid in emergency departments but also in prehospital care. Tramadol, being available over the counter and easily accessible in Colombia, may explain why it is the most frequently used opioid for intentional purposes. It is important to identify the clinical manifestations and assess the need for naloxone administration.
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