Citation

Fathelrahman AI, Ab Rahman AF, Mohd Zain Z. Gen. Hosp. Psychiatry 2008; 30(5): 467-470.

Affiliation

National Poison Center, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, USM Pulau Pinang 11800, Malaysia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2008.04.004

PMID

18774431

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Drug overdose exposures were compared with chemical poisoning in terms of demographics, associated factors and final outcomes. METHOD: Deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) cases admitted to Penang General Hospital during the years 2000-2004 were studied. Chi-square, independent t-test and binary logistic were used whenever applicable. RESULTS: Indian patients were more likely to use household products, whereas Malay and Chinese patients were more likely to take drug overdoses (P=.001). Drug overdose victims experienced more socioeconomic problems (P=.05) and were more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (P=.052). Chemical poisoning patients presented earlier (P=.011), were hospitalized for shorter time (P=.001) and had a higher rate of mortality (P=.01). CONCLUSION: The present study has identified a unique ethnic variation in the choice of suicide attempts from toxic substances. DSP associated with drug overdose showed significant morbidity, but increased mortality was seen in chemical poisoning.

Language: en