Evaluating the Course of Vital Signs in Poisoned Patients with Opioid Drugs During Hospitalization and Its Relationship with Epidemiological Variables

Abstract

Background: Opioid poisoning has a high prevalence in Iran. Due to the significant mortality rate of opioid intoxication, recognizing the vital signs in these patients can help with early diagnosis and treatment. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data of opioid-poisoned patients, including personal information, type of poisoning, vital signs upon arrival, and 3 and 6 hours after admission, was collected and analyzed. Findings: In this study, 204 patients poisoned with opioids were examined, including 150 (73.5) men and 54 (26.5) women. The average age of the patients was 37.28 ± 16.62 years, with the most common cause of hospitalization being methadone and tramadol poisoning. A significant difference was found between the average systolic blood pressure at the time of admission and the type of opioids (P = 0.035). No significant relationship was observed between the mean vital signs of men and women who used opioids at different hours. However, a significant relationship was seen between the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures on arrival and the respiration rate at 3 and 6 hours, as well as the percentage of arterial blood oxygen saturation at arrival and 3 hours after hospitalization, based on the history of addiction and whether naloxone was received. Conclusion: The results of the present study show that in opioid abuse, the vital signs of patients of all ages and both sexes are often within the normal range. © 2025 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.