A year of intentional self poisoning in Christchurch.

OBJECTS

a descriptive study to determine the pattern and resource usage of intentional self poisonings presenting to an urban emergency department.

METHODS

all intentional self poisonings presenting to the sole emergency department in Christchurch during 1989 were reviewed.

RESULTS

the 531 self poisonings represented 1% of attendances with peak demand on emergency services during the evenings. Sixty-four percent were admitted accounting for 16.5% of ICU admissions and 8.5% of acute medical admissions with a mean hospital stay of two days. Only 5% of patients suffered complications, despite the potential seriousness of many events, with an overall mortality rate of 0.5%. The self poisoning rate in Christchurch is currently 20 per 10,000 population. The most frequently involved drugs were benzodiazepines (23%), tricyclic antidepressants (16%) and paracetamol (11%). There were no barbiturate poisonings and no deaths due to tricyclic antidepressants despite their prevalence amongst admissions. All beta blocker poisonings required ICU admission and one death resulted.

CONCLUSIONS

self poisoning is an activity associated with a low morbidity and mortality that remains a resource consuming problem, even in postbarbiturate times. It is infrequently seen acutely by general practitioners however it is a condition that needs greater awareness as prescribed drugs are usually involved. The tricyclic antidepressants and the beta blockers are of relatively greater importance in utilising ICU services.