2 results
Methanol intoxication “Eau de vie” in Morocco from 2013 to 2020
- O. Seyar, L. Azizi, M. Sabir, F. El Omari, H. Chaoui, N. Rhalem, R. Soulaymani Bencheikh
-
- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S670-S671
-
- Article
-
- You have access Access
- Open access
- Export citation
-
Introduction
Methanol intoxication is a public health problem in developing countries and can be ingested accidentally or with suicidal intent, leading to intoxication in isolated or collective forms. Methanol is used as a substitute for ethyl alcohol in several adulterated alcoholic beverages such as “eau de vie”, which is a drink distilled from dried fruits, such as dates, grapes and figs. Inside the body, it is metabolised into formic acid which, if left untreated, affects brain tissue, leads to blindness and can also cause death.
ObjectivesThe objective of this retrospective study of a series of cases was to describe the epidemiological characteristics of methanol “eau de vie” poisoning cases collected by the Anti-Poison and Pharmacovigilance Centre of Morocco between 2013 and 2020 and to explain these results.
MethodsThis is a descriptive and retrospective cross-sectional study over a period of 7 years from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2020, which concerned 16 cases of intoxication by methanol “eau de vie” reported to the Anti-Poison and Pharmacovigilance Centre of Morocco, the study population concerned the entire Moroccan population throughout the territory of Morocco. The analysis concerned the frequency, the distribution in time, the distribution in space, the characteristics of the intoxicated, the type and circumstances of the intoxication and its evolution.
ResultsThe CAPM recorded, during the study period, 16 cases of intoxication by methanol “Eau de vie” in Morocco. These cases were reported by telephone in 93.75% of the cases and collected by studies on hospital registers in 6.25% of the cases. Men were more affected than women. The most affected age group was adults, accounting for 50%. Adolescents accounted for 37% of cases and children for 13%. Drug addiction was the most frequent circumstance, followed by accidental intoxication and voluntary intoxication. The most frequently encountered signs were gastrointestinal signs followed by central and peripheral nervous system signs and heart rate and rhythm disorders. The outcome was favourable in 62% of cases, 6% with blindness after-effects and death occurred in 19% of cases.
ConclusionsMethanol poisoning can result from the consumption of illegal products containing methanol such as brandy, hence the importance of raising public awareness of this danger. It is also necessary to make health professionals aware of the clinical signs of methanol poisoning and what to do in the event of intoxication.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Chronic cannabis use in morocco
- H. Hami, F.-Z. Azzaoui, A. Mokhtari, A. Soulaymani, S. Skalli, R. Soulaymani
-
- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 26 / Issue S2 / March 2011
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 16 April 2020, p. 46
-
- Article
-
- You have access Access
- Export citation
-
Introduction
In Morocco, as in other countries, the cannabis consumption by a great number of the population remains worrisome, in terms of its effects on “mental and physical” health and its social repercussions.
Objectives and aimsTo determine the profile of the people poisoned by cannabis in Morocco in order to identify individuals and groups at high risk.
MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on chronic cannabis poisoning cases notified between 2000 and 2008 in the Morocco Poison Control Center.
ResultsDuring the study period, three hundred and one regular users of cannabis (28 women and 273 men) were poisoned, constituting 34 cases on average per year. The clinical symptoms presented by victims are different, depending on the quantity of inhaled and absorbed psychoactive substances (especially THC) and the frequency and method of use. The average age of victims is 22 years. Among the 225 patients for whom the evolution is known, a 23-year-old man died. The rest of the patients’ condition has improved under gut decontamination.
ConclusionsThe influence of consumption of the increasingly high doses of cannabis on the quality of life of young people justifies a public information, particularly young people for better prevention of using of this psychoactive product.