title: Poisoning in older adults: the experience of the national poisons information centre.
abstract: Data regarding the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of poisoning in older adults are limited. A retrospective review of enquiries to the National Poisons Information Centre, involving adults aged over-65 years, was conducted from 2001-2003 inclusive. Information on poisoning circumstances, patient demographics, type and number of agent(s), symptoms, enquiry source, location, and route of exposure was collated. 575 adults over-65 years of age were poisoned during the study period. 37.2% (n=214) of poisonings were intentional, 54.4% (n=313) were unintentional, in 5.6% (n=32) of cases the circumstances were unknown, and 2.8% (n=16) were requests for information only. 70.3% (n=404) of poisonings involved pharmaceuticals, 29.0% (n=167) chemicals, and 0.7% (n=4) foreign bodies. The principal pharmaceuticals included cardiovascular drugs, hypnotics/sedatives, and antidepressants. 145 (25%) patients were poisoned with multiple pharmaceutical agents. Overall, 301 (52.3%/) older adults were symptomatic and there were 5 fatalities. Substantial morbidity and mortality occurred following poisoning in older adults. Poison prevention strategies are needed to reduce toxic exposures.
authors.affiliation: National Poisons Information Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. npicdublin@beaumont.ie
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cassidy
authors.forename: S K K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Donegan
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Tracey
mesh_terms: D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011039:Poison Control Centers; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019338:Polypharmacy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*