Paracetamol poisoning among immigrants in a department of hepatology.
BACKGROUND
An increased incidence of suicides and suicidal behaviour among immigrants has been described in other countries. In Denmark, misuse of paracetamol is suspected in some foreign-born minority groups, although no data have been produced to substantiate this suspicion.


METHODS
A retrospective study of the incidence of paracetamol poisoning in patients admitted to a specialised department of hepatology from 1994 to 1999 was carried out.


RESULTS
Of a total of 580 patients, 56 (9.7%; 95%-confidence interval 7.2-12.1%) were immigrants, among whom a significant overrepresentation was found of immigrants from Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and Lebanon (Observed/Expected-ratios of 1.95, 4.14, 2.67, and 2.45 respectively; p < 0.05). The immigrants differed from the Danish-born patients being younger (21 vs 35 years of age; p < 0.05), having a lower level of alcohol consumption (3% vs 30% with regular alcohol abuse; p < 0.05), and in general being less severely intoxicated (3% vs 22% developing hepatic encephalopathy; p < 0.05). Compared to the Danish-born patients, the immigrants more frequently stated socio-economic problems as the reason for their self-poisoning (29% vs 10%; p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The study demonstrates an overrepresentation of immigrants among patients admitted with paracetamol poisoning in Denmark.
Schmidt
L E
LE
Department of Hepatology A, 2.12.1, H:S Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø. lars.schmidt@dadlnet.dk
Dalhoff
K P
KP
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000506:poisoning*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000506:poisoning*; D002648:Child; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000082:Acetaminophen