Epidemiology of poisoning

https://doi.org/10.1016/0163-7258(93)90069-PGet rights and content

Abstract

Despite difficulties in the interpretation of available data, certain general observations can be made on the epidemiology of poisoning. Childhood poisoning is usually accidental and tends to be associated with a low morbidity and mortality. In Western Europe and North America, it is most often due to household products and pharmaceuticals; in developing countries, paraffin, traditional medicines, snakes bites and insect stings are more commonly involved. In adults, self-poisoning is usually deliberate (suicide or parasuicide) and has a higher morbidity and mortality rate. Analgesics and psychotropics predominate in Western Europe and North America as causes of admission to hospital, though carbon monoxide is responsible for most deaths (the majority of which occur outside hospital). In developing countries, accidental and deliberate pesticide poisoning is probably the commonest cause of adult deaths.

References (45)

  • M.R. Alderson

    National trends in self-poisoning in women

    Lancet

    (1985)
  • M.W. Calnan et al.

    Suspected poisoning in children. Study of the incidence of true poisoning and poisoning scare in a defined population in North East Bristol

    Arch. Dis. Child.

    (1976)
  • Centers For Disease Control

    Unintentional poisoning mortality—United States, 1980–1986

    Morb. Mort. Weekly Rep.

    (1989)
  • S.F. Clarke

    Deliberate self poisoning in adolescents

    Arch. Dis. Child.

    (1988)
  • M.T.I. Crowe

    Trends in fatal poisonings in Leeds, 1977 to 1987

    Med. Sci. Law.

    (1989)
  • M. Dennis et al.

    Epidemiology of deliberate self-poisoning; trends in hospital attendances

    Health Trends

    (1990)
  • Department of Health

    Finished consultant episodes by diagnosis, operation and speciality. England: Financial year 1989–1990

  • M. Eriksson et al.

    Accidental poisoning in pre-school children in the Stockholm area

    Acta Paed. Scand.

    (1979)
  • J.A. Ferguson et al.

    Some epidemiological observations on medicinal and non-medicinal poisoning in preschool children

    J. Epidemiol. Community Health

    (1992)
  • R. Fernando

    National poisons information centre in a developing Asian country—the first year's experience

    Human exp. Toxic.

    (1990)
  • R.J. Flanagan et al.

    Volatile substance abuse

  • G.N. Fuller et al.

    Parasuicide in central London 1984–1988

    J. Roy. Soc. Med.

    (1989)
  • R. Goulding et al.

    Poisoning with drugs and chemical substances: introduction and epidemiology

  • K. Hawton

    By their own hand

    Br. Med. J.

    (1992)
  • K. Hawton et al.

    Trends in deliberate self-poisoning and self injury in Oxford, 1976–1990

    Br. Med. J.

    (1992)
  • J. Hettiarachchi et al.

    Pattern of poisoning in rural Sri Lanka

    Int. J. Epidemiol.

    (1989)
  • J. Hettiarachchi et al.

    Self-poisoning in Sri Lanka: factors determining the choice of the poisoning agents

    Hum. Toxic.

    (1989)
  • J. Higa et al.

    Childhood poisoning in less developed countries: an overview from the countries of the Rio de la Plata basin

    Ann. Nestlé

    (1990)
  • F. Hincal et al.

    Self poisoning in children: a ten year survey

    Clin. Toxic.

    (1987)
  • Home and Leisure Accident Research
  • D. Jacobsen et al.

    A prospective study of 1212 cases of acute poisoning: general epidemiology

    Hum. Toxic.

    (1984)
  • B. Jacobson et al.

    Accidental ingestion of oral prescription drugs: a multicenter survey

    Am. J. Publ. Health

    (1989)
  • Cited by (52)

    • Epidemiology of acute poisoning

      2020, Toxicologie Analytique et Clinique
    • Toxic Gases and Vapors

      2018, Veterinary Toxicology: Basic and Clinical Principles: Third Edition
    • An assessment of suicide attempts by self-poisoning in the west of Iran

      2014, Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine
      Citation Excerpt :

      Poisoning is defined as unfavorable complications caused by the use of drugs, chemical substances and other materials. These unfavorable complications are more severe in young and elderly people.4 The method of attempted intentional self-poisoning is dependent upon the cultural-social factors of each region, and also toxicants and available drugs.5

    • Toxic gases

      2012, Veterinary Toxicology: Basic and Clinical Principles
    • Toxic gases

      2012, Veterinary Toxicology
    • Epidemiology and outcomes of poisoning-induced out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

      2012, Resuscitation
      Citation Excerpt :

      Poisoning is a common and acute medical emergency.1

    View all citing articles on Scopus

    The contents of this paper represent the author's views alone and in no way commit the Department of Health.

    View full text