Adolescent hospital discharges associated with self-poisonings in Wisconsin, 2000-2002.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the Wisconsin adolescent self-poisoning problem, using state discharge data on medication-related self-inflicted injuries, focusing on medications used and risk factors.

METHODS

Wisconsin inpatient discharge files for 3 years (January 1, 2000-December 31, 2002) were evaluated. Medication-related injuries were analyzed for intentionality, medications used, discharge status, and risk factors such as mental illness, eating disorders, and alcohol abuse or dependence.

RESULTS

There were nearly 3000 medication-related injury hospitalizations--1150 of them self-poisoning hospitalizations--among Wisconsin 12-17 year olds during 2000-2002. Females 12-17 years had twice as many medication-related injuries as males. Sixty percent of medication-related injuries occurred in patients with a mental disorder diagnosis. Non-narcotic analgesics were most commonly used and had one of the highest rates of intentionality (65%). A large proportion of intentional/suicidal medication-related injuries were discharged to another facility (35%), compared to 14% among all medical injuries. Males with medication-related injuries were twice (95% CI: 1.60, 2.75) as likely and females 1.4 (95% CI: 1.2, 1.6) times as likely to have intentional/suicidal injuries if they also abused or depended on alcohol.

CONCLUSIONS

Given that a nonfatal suicide attempt is the strongest predictor of eventual suicide, the hundreds of self-poisoning discharges per year in Wisconsin 12-17 year olds is a serious public health concern. Both the medical community and public health community should heed the warnings of these nonfatal suicide attempts and implement educational programs addressing this issue.