Paracetamol overdose and hepatotoxicity at a regional Australian hospital: a 4-year experience.
BACKGROUND
Paracetamol is a component of a number of drugs taken in overdose (OD). The influence of alcohol use (acute or chronic) on the presentation and clinical course of paracetamol OD is contentious. This study explores the relationship between paracetamol OD, alcohol consumption and clinical outcomes at a regional Australian hospital.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency, circumstances and outcomes of paracetamol OD presentations to a regional Australian general hospital over a 4-year period.


METHODS
Medical records of patients admitted to the Ballarat Health Services (BHS) as a result of paracetamol OD between January 2000 and December 2003 were reviewed. Patient demographics, amount of paracetamol ingested, other drug coingestions, alcohol history, previous medication OD, clinical course and outcomes were recorded.


RESULTS
Annual admissions resulting from paracetamol OD almost doubled during the 4 years studied. The risk of a repeat paracetamol OD was highest within 4 weeks of the initial OD. Alcohol, benzodiazepines and antidepressants were commonly coingested. The strongest predictor of severe hepatotoxicity was delayed or no N-acetyl cysteine treatment in patients consuming greater than 10 g of paracetamol or with toxic serum paracetamol levels. A history of alcohol consumption did not appear to worsen outcomes.
Ayonrinde
O T
OT
Department of Gastroenterology, Wollongong Hospital, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. oyekayon@yahoo.com
Phelps
G J
GJ
Hurley
J C
JC
Ayonrinde
O A
OA
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000506:poisoning*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution
D000082:Acetaminophen