Demographic Characteristics of Patients, who Attempted Suicide with Paracetamol in a Research Hospital

Abstract

Purpose: Diversity and widespread availability of paracetamol containing preparations increasethe likelihood of their use for suicidal attempts. This retrospective study aimed to provideinformation regarding the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with paracetamolintoxication.Material and Methods: A total of 214 patients attending to the Emergency Unit of the IzmirBozyaka Training and Research Hospital between 1 January–31 December 2009 with apreliminary diagnosis of paracetamol intoxication were included. Demographic and clinicaldata have been collected.Results: Patients younger than 20 years of age represented the majority (78 patients, 36.4%) ofthe cases. Most of the emergency visits were recorded between 22:00 and 23:00 p.m. andbetween 00:00 and 01:00 a.m. Proportion of patients was highest in June as compared to othermonths. Of the whole study population, 55 (26%) ingested only paracetamol, while 159 (74%)were intoxicated with other drugs and/or alcohol as well. Symptoms were present in 174 patients(81%); 40 patients (19%) had no symptoms.Conclusions: Good knowledge of demographic data of the patients and effective use of poisoncall centers may help to improve diagnosis and management in paracetamol intoxication

Keywords

• Paracetamol,intoxication,suicide,demographic data

Bir Eğitim Hastanesinde Parasetamol ile İntihar Girişiminde Bulunan Hastaların Demografik Özellikleri

Abstract

Amaç: Parasetamol içeren preparatların çeşitliliği ve yaygın olması, suicid amaçlı kullanılmaihtimalini artırır. Bu retrospektif çalışmada, parasetamol intoksikasyonuyla gelen hastalarınklinik ve demografik özelliklerininin ortaya konulması amaçlanmıştır.Yöntem ve Gereç: Çalışmaya parasetamol zehirlenmesi ön tanısı ile 1 Ocak–31 Aralık 2009tarihleri arasında İzmir Bozyaka Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi Acil Ünitesine başvuran 214hasta dahil edilerek hastaların demografik ve klinik verileri toplanmıştır.Bulgular: Vakaların büyük bir kısmını 20 yaşın altında hastalar oluşturmuştur (78 hasta,%36.4).Başvuruların 22:00-23:00 ve 00:00-01:00 saatleri arasında yoğun olduğu görülürken, Haziranayında diğer aylara oranla daha fazla vakanın acile başvurduğu görüldü. Olguların 55’i (%26)sadece parasetamol, 159’u (%74) ise parasetamolü diğer ilaçlar ve/veya alkol ile birlikte almıştır.İntoksikasyon semptomları 174 hastada (%81) mevcutken, 40 hastada (%19) herhangi birintoksikasyon belirtisi yoktu.Sonuç: Hastaların demografik bilgilerinin iyi bilinmesi ve Zehir Danışma Merkezlerinin etkinkullanımı, parasetamol zehirlenmesinin tanı ve tedavisinin geliştirilmesinde faydalı olabilir

Keywords

• Parasetamol,zehirlenme,intihar,demografik bilgiler

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