title: Characteristics of older and younger patients with suspected paracetamol toxicity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of older and younger patients with suspected paracetamol toxicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective audit of the medical records of older (≥65 years, n = 25) and younger (20-30 years, n = 50) patients with a detectable paracetamol level at a Sydney hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Older patients showed a different clinical pattern of suspected paracetamol toxicity and were more likely than younger patients to have multifactorial elevation of liver function tests. Additionally, older age was more likely to be associated with chronic therapeutic paracetamol dosing (71% older, 6% younger, P < 0.001), or with accidental toxic exposure (90% older, 29% younger, P < 0.001), while younger patients were more likely to have a deliberate high-dose exposure (10% older, 71% younger, P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The age-related differences in paracetamol exposure, paracetamol levels and liver function tests described in this population should be considered when ordering and interpreting paracetamol levels.
authors.affiliation: Kolling institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney and Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.forename: Slade
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: Sarah N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Hilmer
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000506:poisoning*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000506:poisoning*; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000082:Acetaminophen