Causality of Poisoning of the Elderly: Prospective Study Based on Data From the Poison Control Centre of Bordeaux

Causality of Poisoning of the Elderly: Prospective Study Based on Data From the Poison Control Centre of Bordeaux Over 5 Months

Elderly is often associated with social, physiological and psychic changes. However, no study has examined accidental poisoning-induced changes.

The objective of the study is to identify and analyze the various causes of potentially toxic accidental exposure of the elderly to determine preventable causes and propose prevention strategies.

Elderly is often associated with social, physiological and psychic changes. Many studies tried to demonstrate their influence in the genesis of pathological events such as falls or suicide of the elderly but none on the genesis of accidental poisoning.

However, poisoning in this age group is frequent and sometimes severe. In order to improve care of the elderly, it seems necessary to focus on potential toxic accidental exposure.

For this, Poison Control Centre of the University Hospital of Bordeaux has identified the causes over a period of 5 months (from 01 March to 31 July 2017) from calls to the centre.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All subjects aged 65 and over,
• Victims of accidental exposure regardless of the agent (drug, household product, plant ...)
• Victims of voluntary exposure (out of suicidal behavior)
• And for which a call (notice, report) to the Poison Control Centre of Bordeaux has been recorded.
• Calling dates between March 1st and July 31st, even if the exhibition is prior to March 1st, 2017).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Suicide
• Calls for inquiries