[Deliberate self-poisonings treated in hospitals].
BACKGROUND
Due to lack of person-based national statistics, the exact incidence of deliberate self-poisoning in Norway is unknown. This study describes incidence of hospital discharges for deliberate self-poisoning with drugs based on data from Norwegian National Hospital Discharge Register.


METHODS
Cases of patients aged 15 years or older discharged with a diagnosis T4n or T50.9 "Intoxication with medical drugs and biological substances" from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2002 were selected. We have calculated age- and sex-specific national incidence rates and age- and sex-adjusted regional rates.


RESULTS
Annualized incidence was 4307 cases (120 per 100,000 person-years). The incidence was higher among women (144 per 100,000 person-years) than men (94 per 100,000 person-years). Incidence was higher among younger than older people and it was the highest in women aged 20 - 24. In-hospital mortality was 5 per 1000 cases. There were statistically significant differences in incidence among Norwegian counties, with one county having the highest incidence, 50 % above the national average.


CONCLUSIONS
Deliberate self-poisoning with drugs is a significant public health problem in Norway. Priority should be focused on high incidence among young people, particularly women. The causes of significant regional variations should be researched further.
Kopjar
Branko
B
Department of Health Services University of Washington.
Dieserud
Gudrun
G
Wiik
Johannes
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*