Neda Mohtasham1, Farkhondeh Jamshidi1, Maryam Dastoorpoor2, Narges Khodadadi3, Ali Hassan Rahmani1

Alcohol consumption epidemic and its complications
during the COVID-19 pandemic in Khuzestan Province,
Iran; 2020

1 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University
of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
2 Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical
Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
3 3DVM Graduated from Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract
Background: After unprecedented demand for ethanol in the pandemic, profiteers used methanol for making illegal
alcoholic drink. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study investigated the effects of methanol poisoning
on 400 patients who referred to hospitals affiliated with Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences from
March 20 to September 20, 2020. Results: Ninety-eight-point five percent of patients had consumed alcohol for social
reasons and only 0.3% had used it as a measure to avoid COVID-19. Eighty-seven percent of the patients used homemade
alcohol bought from peddlers. The most common clinical symptom was gastrointestinal disorders (64.8%) and
the most common complications were vision problems (12.3%). Ten-point-six percent (42 patients) of the patients
died. The most important factors affecting mortality risk were dyspnea, neuropathic problems, abnormal radiological
findings, dialysis, abnormal blood pressure, vision problems and dizziness. Conclusions: Informing the public about
the risks of using homemade alcoholic beverages is essential if the associated disability and mortality has to be avoided.
Key words: Crisis, Alcohol, Methanol, COVID-19

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