The epidemiology of self-poisoning in the UK.
Self-poisoning by ingestion or inhalation is common, and it is important to study its various epidemiological manifestations with clear definitions. Data on fatal self-poisonings are recorded nationally within the UK and are codified according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) revision relevant at the time. Most fatal self-poisonings are codified as suicides, accidental deaths or undetermined deaths ('open verdicts'). Non-fatal self-poisoning data, whether accidental or as a manifestation of deliberate self-harm, are recorded through hospital discharge information nationally but are not routinely published in the same way as mortality data. The bulk of the UK's published epidemiological information on nonfatal self-poisoning episodes is largely based on individual hospitals' admission or discharge records ('special studies'). After establishing definitions for different self-poisoning categories we discuss the published data on self-poisoning as they relate to suicide, accidental self-poisoning and deliberate self-harm in the UK.
Camidge
D R
DR
Scottish Poisons Information Bureau, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 9YW, UK. drcamidge@talk21.com
Wood
R J
RJ
Bateman
D N
DN
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000506:poisoning; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000506:poisoning; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000082:Acetaminophen