title: Parasuicide in central London 1984-1988.
abstract: Experience of a central London unit dedicated to the care of patients following parasuicide between 1984 and 1988 is reviewed. There were 1160 admissions, which accounted for 11% of all acute adult medical admissions. The female to male ratio was 1.3, with a peak rate for females below 25 years and for males between 20 and 35. Unemployment was found to be a risk factor for parasuicide in men. Benzodiazepines were the most frequently used drug in parasuicide (35%), followed by paracetamol (13%) and aspirin (9%).
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, St Stephen's Hospital, London.
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Rea
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Lant
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000506:poisoning; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000506:poisoning; D001241:Aspirin / Q000506:poisoning; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D002648:Child; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014478:Unemployment
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000082:Acetaminophen; D001241:Aspirin