A Comparative Prospective Study of Self-poisoned Patients in Trondheim, Norway between 1978 and 1987: Epidemiology and Clinical Data

1 In a prospective study of patients hospitalized for deliberate self-poisoning between 1978 and 1987 the number of admissions increased from 303 to 425. The annual incidence increased significantly for both women (P < 0.05) and men (P < 0.01). The mean age decreased significantly in the male group (P < 0.05), but increased in the female group (P < 0.05). 2 The median latency time for patients presenting at the hospital was short; 3.7 h in 1978 and 2.9 h in 1987. 3 There was a significant reduction in the percentage using barbiturates (9% in 1978 and 1% in 1987; P < 0.001) and the use of benzodiazepines increased (18% in 1978 and 32% in 1987; P < 0.05). The percentage of unconscious patients did not change significantly. 4 In 1987 N-acetyl-cysteine was the most frequently used antidote. Physostigmine has almost been abandoned since 1978. 5 Significantly more patients were hypotensive in 1978: 24% vs 11% in 1987; (P < 0.001) and significantly less patients needed treatment in the central intensive care unit (2% in 1987 and 5% in 1978; P < 0.05). Complications were few (8-10%) and the mortality low (approximately 1%) in both years studied. 6 The mean duration of hospitalization in 1978 was 65 h vs 30 h in 1987, (P < 0.001).