Drug overdose: a wake up call! Experience at a tertiary care centre in Karachi, Pakistan.
OBJECTIVE
To study the characteristics of patients admitted with drug overdose caused either by accidental overdose of the prescribed medications or as an act of deliberate self harm (DSH) at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.


METHODS
A retrospective case series review was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital from January 2002 to October 2006. Three hundred and twenty four adult patients admitted with drug overdose were included in the study.


RESULTS
Our sample group revealed mean age of 36.2 +/- 17.0 years, more females (59%), housewives (34%), and students (20%). Fifty six percent of patients committing DSH were married (p = 0.001), 81% needed in-patient psychiatric services (p = 0.016) of whom a significantly high number (38%) refused it. Domestic and social issues were rated highest among DSH group (p = 0.003), depression among females was common (p = 0.028) and Benzodiazepines (41%) was the most frequently used drug (p = 0.021). Sub-group analysis of accidental overdoses revealed mean age of 45.6 +/- 19.6 years, single (75.4%) and males (54.1%). Drugs used were mainly Benzodiazepines (18%) followed by Opioids (11%), Antiepileptics (10%) and Warfarin (10%).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study showed that depressed housewives are at greater risk for DSH. Domestic and social issues were rated highest and Benzodiazepines were the most commonly used agents. Most of our patients refused inpatient psychiatric treatment leading us to believe that general awareness of psychiatric illnesses is imperative in our community. High number of accidental overdoses is alarming in older, single males convincing us to believe that existing pharmacy system needs further evaluation and modification.
Patel
Muhammad Junaid
MJ
Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi.
Shahid
Muhammad
M
Riaz
Mehmood
M
Kashif
Waqaruddin
W
Ayaz
Syed Imran
SI
Khan
Muhammad Shoaib
MS
Samdani
A Jawwad
AJ
Sorathia
Ayesha L
AL
Furqan
Muhammad
M
D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014859:Warfarin / Q000009:adverse effects
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D014859:Warfarin