title: Characteristics of hospital-treated intentional drug overdose in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study compared the profile of intentional drug overdoses (IDOs) presenting to emergency departments in Ireland and in the Western Trust Area of Northern Ireland between 2007 and 2012. Specifically the study aimed to compare characteristics of the patients involved, to explore the factors associated with repeated IDO and to report the prescription rates of common drug types in the population.
  
  
  METHODS
  We utilised data from two comparable registries which monitor the incidence of hospital-treated self-harm, recording data from deliberate self-harm presentations involving an IDO to all hospital emergency departments for the period 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 2007 and 2012 the registries recorded 56 494 self-harm presentations involving an IDO. The study showed that hospital-treated IDO was almost twice as common in Northern Ireland than in Ireland (278 vs 156/100 000, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the overall difference in the rates of IDO, the profile of such presentations was remarkably similar in both countries. Minor tranquillisers were the drugs most commonly involved in IDOs. National campaigns are required to address the availability and misuse of minor tranquillisers, both prescribed and non-prescribed.
authors: National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Eve
authors: E
authors: Griffin
authors: National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Corcoran
authors: Public Health Agency, Derry, Northern Ireland.
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Cassidy
authors: Public Health Agency, Derry, Northern Ireland.
authors: Amanda
authors: A
authors: O'Carroll
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Ivan J
authors: IJ
authors: Perry
authors: Public Health Agency, Derry, Northern Ireland.
authors: Brendan
authors: B
authors: Bonner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000506:poisoning; D009660:Northern Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000506:poisoning; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs
keywords: EPIDEMIOLOGY; PUBLIC HEALTH