[Proved self-poisoning. A 10-year case load from an intensive care unit].

During the period 1.1.1979-31.12.1988, a total of 2.023 admissions (involving 1.511 patients) occurred on account of deliberate self-poisoning in the Intensive Care Unit of the Anaesthetic Department of Odense Hospital. No significant alterations were observed in the female/male ratio or in the average age, during this period. Duration of hospitalization in the Intensive Care Unit showed a decrease. The frequencies of cases of poisoning with barbiturates showed a decrease while poisonings with acetaminophen, alcohol and chemical-technical agents showed increasing frequencies. Poisoning with benzodiazepines, neuroleptics, polycyclic antidepressive drugs, dextropropoxyphen or acetylsalicylic acid occurred with unaltered frequency. Treatment consisted mainly of endotracheal intubation, artificial ventilation, circulatory therapy, forced alkaline diuresis, haemodialysis and antibiotic therapy. The frequency of forced alkaline diuresis decreased during the period while circulatory therapy, haemodialysis, antibiotic therapy and treatment with antidotes were employed increasingly frequently. The acute lethality was 1.6%. It is concluded that treatment was mainly symptomatic and concentrated on ensuring respiratory and circulatory functions and that the acute lethality is unchanged and will probably not be lowered further. The "Scandinavian method" is thus still the cornerstone in the treatment of poisoning and is responsible for the continued low acute lethality.