Intentional Poisonings and Psychiatric Comorbidity in a Hospital Emergency Department: Epidemiological Changes Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic (2018–2022): Retrospective Study

Background: Poisoning is a frequent cause of emergency department (ED) visits. The COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced its epidemiology and clinical profile. Objective: To analyze and compare the characteristics of poisonings treated in the ED before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted including all patients who attended for acute poisoning in a Spanish tertiary hospital from January 2018 to December 2022. Sociodemographic variables, toxic agents, clinical features, psychiatric history, intentionality, and outcomes were analyzed. Results: A total of 170 cases were recorded. Medicinal agents were the most frequent toxicants, followed by ethanol. After the onset of the pandemic, there was an increase in poisonings due to medicinal agents and in cases with psychiatric comorbidity, particularly intentional overdoses. Hospital admissions and ICU referrals also increased, although mortality remained low. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with relevant changes in the epidemiology and clinical profile of poisonings treated in the ED, highlighting the growing importance of intentionality and psychiatric disorders.