Digital Toxicology Teleconsultation for Adult Poisoning Cases in Saudi Hospitals: A Nationwide Study

TL;DR

This study uses digital health data to analyze adult poisoning cases in Saudi hospitals, revealing patterns and management strategies across the country.

Contribution

The study presents a nationwide analysis of adult poisoning cases using a digital toxicology teleconsultation platform in Saudi Arabia.

Findings

Young adults aged 18–35 made up 58.67% of poisoning cases, with the highest rates among those aged 18–24.

Medicine-related poisonings were most common (50.04%), followed by bites and stings (15.31%).

Summer months saw peak poisoning incidents (29.25%), and substance abuse cases had higher severe manifestations (24.34%).

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Poisoning represents a significant global public health challenge, particularly with its complex manifestations in adult populations. Understanding regional epidemiology through digital health systems is crucial for developing evidence-based prevention and management strategies. This nationwide study analyzes hospital-based toxicology teleconsultation data from the Toxicology Consultation Service-Saudi Medical Appointments and Referrals Center (TCS-SMARC) platform to characterize the epidemiological patterns, clinical features, and outcomes of adult poisoning cases across Saudi regions. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 6427 adult poisoning cases where hospitals sought teleconsultation from the Saudi Toxicology Consultation Service (TCS) from January to December 2023. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze poisoning rates by demographic characteristics, agents responsible for the poisoning, clinical presentations, and management decisions. Population-adjusted rates were calculated using the national census data. Associations between variables were analyzed using cross-tabulations and chi-square tests. Results: Young adults aged 18–35 years constituted most cases (58.67%), with the highest population-adjusted rates observed among those aged 18–24 (5.15 per 10,000). Medicine-related poisonings were the most common across all regions (50.04%), followed by bites and stings (15.31%). Regional analysis indicated relatively uniform poisoning rates across Business Units (BUs) (2.02–2.74 per 10,000). Most cases (87.44%) were asymptomatic, with 91.71% exhibiting normal Glasgow Coma Scale scores, although substance abuse cases had higher rate of severe manifestations (24.34%). Significant seasonal variations were observed (p < 0.001), with peak incidents occurring in the summer (29.25%). Management decisions primarily involved hospital observation (40.27%) and admission (30.34%), with agent-specific variations in care requirements (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This comprehensive analysis demonstrates the effectiveness of Saudi Arabia’s digital health infrastructure in capturing and managing nationwide poisoning data. The integrated digital platform enables real-time surveillance, standardized triage, enhanced access to specialized toxicology services, and coordinated management across diverse geographical contexts. Our findings inform evidence-based recommendations for targeted prevention strategies, particularly for young adults and medicine-related poisonings, while establishing a scalable model for digital health-enabled poisoning management.

Figures