Self-poisoning by drugs and chemicals: variations in demographics, associated factors and final outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
Drug overdose exposures were compared with chemical poisoning in terms of demographics, associated factors and final outcomes.


METHODS
Deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) cases admitted to Penang General Hospital during the years 2000-2004 were studied. Chi-square, independent t-test and binary logistic were used whenever applicable.


RESULTS
Indian patients were more likely to use household products, whereas Malay and Chinese patients were more likely to take drug overdoses (P=.001). Drug overdose victims experienced more socioeconomic problems (P=.05) and were more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (P=.052). Chemical poisoning patients presented earlier (P=.011), were hospitalized for shorter time (P=.001) and had a higher rate of mortality (P=.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The present study has identified a unique ethnic variation in the choice of suicide attempts from toxic substances. DSP associated with drug overdose showed significant morbidity, but increased mortality was seen in chemical poisoning.
Fathelrahman
Ahmed Ibrahim
AI
National Poison Center, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, USM Pulau Pinang 11800, Malaysia. afathelrahman@yahoo.com
Ab Rahman
Ab Fatah
AF
Mohd Zain
Zaininah
Z
D000328:Adult; D002423:Cause of Death; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006795:Household Products / Q000506:poisoning; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000506:poisoning; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010575:Pesticides / Q000506:poisoning; D011041:Poisoning / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000506:poisoning; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D010575:Pesticides; D055553:Prescription Drugs