Patricia Cerda

Caracterización de las exposiciones a plaguicidas entre los años 2006 y 2013 reportadas al Centro de Información Toxicológica de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

BACKGROUND Pesticides are widely used to increase crop yields and vector control. However, both acute and chronic exposure have health consequences. There is paucity of information about the global occurrence of pesticide poisonings. AIM To characterize the reports of pesticide exposures received by a University Poison Information Center. MATERIAL AND METHODS All pesticide exposures reported in Chile between 2006 and 2013 were analyzed. A data-collection sheet provided by the International Programme on Chemical Safety of the World Health Organization, was used to collect information. RESULTS In the study period, 13,181 reports were analyzed. The main age groups exposed were preschoolers and adults. Sixty one percent of exposures occurred accidentally and 24.8% were suicide attempts. Exposures to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors was reported in 29.3% of cases, to superwarfarin rodenticides in 28.5% and to pyrethroids in 24.0%. An increased risk of suicide attempts with pesticides was observed among women, when compared with men (odds ratio: 1.5; 95% confidence intervals: 1.4-1.6; p < 0.001). The risk was higher among teenage girls. CONCLUSIONS The amount of cases under acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor exposure, the most toxic pesticides currently in use should be highlighted. Workers should be educated and all cases should be reported to take actions aiming at reducing these events.

Caracterización de la ingestión por sobredosis de paracetamol: Reporte de un centro de información toxicológica chileno

BACKGROUND Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is an analgesic and antipyretic drug widely used across the world. Its ingestion is one of the most common causes of drug overdose. In the United States is the first cause of acute hepatitis in adults. AIM To describe the epidemiological profile of paracetamol overdose in Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS Cross sectional retrospective study that included all the phone call inquiries received at the Poison Control Center of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile (CITUC) during 2009. RESULTS Nine hundred fifty nine inquiries involving acute paracetamol exposures were received. Women represented a 63.1% of the cases. Half of the cases were suicide attempts, of which 74.8% were women. Accidental exposures occurred mainly in children. In 29.3% of the patients, the exposure was considered to involve a hepatotoxic dose. Women had 2.7 times the risk of men to ingest a toxic dose of paracetamol with suicidal purpose (Odds ratio (OR) = 2.7; 95% confidence interval (Cl): 2.1-3.6; p < 0.001). Adolescents had 3.4 times the risk of the general consultants (OR: 3.4; 95% Cl: 2.4-4.7; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Paracetamol overdose is common in Chile. Authorities should carry out preventive measures. Antidotes and the capacity to measure plasma levels of paracetamol should be available in healthcare centers.Background: Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is an analgesic and antipyretic drug widely used across the world. Its ingestion is one of the most common causes of drug overdose. In the United States is the first cause of acute hepatitis in adults. Aim: To describe the epidemiological profile of paracetamol overdose in Chile. Material and Methods: Cross sectional retrospective study that included all the phone call inquiries received at the Poison Control Center of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile (CITUC) during 2009. Results: Nine hundred fifty nine inquiries involving acute paracetamol exposures were received. Women represented a 63.1% of the cases. Half of the cases were suicide attempts, of which 74.8% were women. Accidental exposures occurred mainly in children. In 29.3% of the patients, the exposure was considered to involve a hepatotoxic dose. Women had 2.7 times the risk of men to ingest a toxic dose of paracetamol with suicidal purpose (Odds ratio (OR) = 2.7; 95% confidence interval (Cl): 2.1-3.6; p Language: es

Exposición a agentes de riesgo biológico en trabajadores chilenos: Reporte del Centro de Información Toxicológica de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (CITUC)

Objetivo. Caracterizar las exposiciones a agentes de riesgo biologico ocupacional en trabajadores chilenos registradas por el Centro de informacion toxicologica de la Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile (CITUC) durante cuatro anos. Metodologia. Estudio descriptivo de las exposiciones a agente de riesgo biologico ocupacional registradas durante el periodo comprendido entre el 1o de enero de 2006 y el 31 de diciembre de 2009 . Resultados. En el periodo mencionado, se recibieron 77 llamados por exposiciones a agentes de riesgo biologico laboral. Se observo predominio del sexo femenino (57,1 %). El promedio de edad fue 34,8 (DS: 14,5). El principal agente correspondio a vacunas de uso veterinario (41,6%), seguido por arana de rincon (15,5%). Las principales vias de exposicion correspondieron a inyecciones y lesiones corto-punzantes (39,0%) y picaduras y mordeduras (37,7%). La mayor tasa de exposiciones se observo en las regiones de Los Rios y Los Lagos, principalmente por auto-inoculacion accidental de vacunas veterinarias utilizadas en la industria salmonera (22,7*100.000). Los llamados a CITUC fueron realizados principalmente por personal de salud (58,4%) en su mayoria desde un recinto hospitalario (50,6%). El 59,7% de las exposiciones se produjo durante las estaciones verano y primavera. El sexo femenino presento 4,5 veces mas riesgo de exposicion laboral a picaduras o mordeduras de animales, aranas e insectos en relacion al sexo masculino (OR: 4,5; IC 95% : 1,5-13,9; p El sexo masculino presento 4,2 veces mas riesgo de exposicion laboral a vacunas y medicamentos de uso veterinario en relacion al sexo femenino (OR: 4,2, IC 95% : 1,4-12,6, pBACKGROUND Exposure to Biological Agents during work is an emergent type of occupational risk. AIM To characterize occupational biological risk exposure among Chilean workers which have been registered by the Toxicology Information Center, between January 2006 and December 2009. MATERIAL AND METHODS All incoming calls reporting exposure to biological agents during the studied period were analyzed. The information obtained from the caller was registered using the Communication Record Instrument of the WHO International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS INTOX). RESULTS In the studied period, 77 calls were received. The mean age of exposed patients was 35 ± 15 years and 57% of them were females. The most common involved agents were vaccines for veterinary use (42%) followed by Loxosceles laeta bites in 16%. The main routes of exposure were injections, cuts and needle stick injuries in 39% and stings and bites in 38%. The highest exposure rates were observed in Southern Chile due to self-inoculation of veterinary vaccines used in the salmon industry (22.7/100.000 actual workers). Fifty-eight percent of calls were from health care workers, and 51% of them were from health care facilities. Sixty percent of exposures occurred during summer and spring. There was a fourfold higher risk of calls involving women exposed to bites or stings (odds ratio (OR) 4.5 (CI95 1.5-13.9, p < 0.01). Men had a fourfold higher risk of being exposed to vaccines or medications for veterinary use (OR 4.2, CI95 1.4-12.6 p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Most calls involving an exposure to a biological agent were caused by self-inoculation of veterinary medications.