Deliberate self-poisoning in an Irish county hospital.
BACKGROUND
In 1997, 433 people committed suicide in Ireland, one-quarter of whom were less than 24 years of age.


OBJECTIVE
To determine demographics, agent choice and source, suicidality and follow-up care of deliberate self-poisoning patients.


METHODS
Details of 111 patients admitted to one hospital in 1997 following drug overdose were studied retrospectively. Eleven had been accidental ingestions, the remaining 100 were deliberate self-poisoning.


RESULTS
Men accounted for 38% of the presentations and were more likely to have suicidal intent than women. An average of 2.3 different agents were used. Paracetamol was taken by 37%, hypnotics/anxiolytics by 33% and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories by 17%. Alcohol was consumed synchronously by 51% and 17% fulfilled criteria for alcohol dependency. One-third of patients were clinically depressed. All six patients requiring ventilation had consumed a combination of tricyclic antidepressants and alcohol. There were no deaths.


CONCLUSIONS
Deliberate self-poisoning remains a significant problem. Paracetamol and alcohol use are particularly marked in this population. The combination of tricyclic antidepressant drugs and alcohol were the most dangerous.
McMahon
G T
GT
Department of Medicine, Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, Co Meath, Ireland.
McGarry
K
K
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000506:poisoning; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000506:poisoning; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000082:Acetaminophen