Trends in deaths from drug overdose and poisoning in England and Wales 1993-1998.
BACKGROUND
The study examines time trends and sociodemographic aspects of drug poisoning deaths in England and Wales.


METHODS
Socio-demographic data from the four drug groups most commonly used in poisoning were extracted, and annual age- and sex-specific mortality rates calculated. Enumeration districts were ranked into five groups on the basis of their Carstairs scores, and the number of deaths in each of the five groups was calculated.


RESULTS
There were 15720 deaths from drug poisoning between 1993 and 1998. More deaths occurred in men than in women (10 223 versus 5497). Opiates were the most commonly used drugs in deaths from drug poisoning (32 per cent of deaths); mortality rates increased twofold for these drugs. Males had higher number of deaths from opiate poisoning than females (4523 versus 1221). Highest mortality rates from opiate poisoning (77.4 per million) occurred in men aged 24-35 years. Deaths from drug poisoning were strongly associated with deprivation.


CONCLUSIONS
There are substantial socio-demographic differences in mortality rates from drug poisoning.
Shah
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Mental Health Services for Older People, Sutton Hospital. heddon@heddon40.screaming.net
Uren
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Z
Baker
A
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Majeed
A
A
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000506:poisoning; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000506:poisoning; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000506:poisoning; D003625:Data Collection; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000401:mortality*; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends; D009294:Narcotics / Q000506:poisoning; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D009294:Narcotics; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000082:Acetaminophen