TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1997//
TI  - Epidemiology of inhalant abuse reported to two regional poison centers
JO  - Journal of toxicology - clinical toxicology
A1  - Spiller, H. A.
A1  - Krenzelok, E. P.
SP  - 167
EP  - 173
VL  - 35
IS  - 2
N2  - BACKGROUND: The regional poison information center is a potential sentinel for substance abuse patterns. Its central data collection system allows it to access information from large population groups. We report results from a one year prospective cases series of inhalation abuse from two regional poison information centers. DESIGN: Prospective case series. All inhalation exposures reported to two regional poison information centers with a reason of intentional abuse were included. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-five cases were collected. One hundred twenty-four exposures (75%) were male. Age ranged from 4 to 45 y, with a mean, median and mode of 16.6 (SD 7.3), 15 and 13, respectively. Nine children were < 6 years old. There were 22 substances involved, but two substances (spray paint and gasoline) accounted for more than 61% of all cases. In children < 9 y (n = 18, 11%) gasoline alone accounted for 83% of exposures. Abuse occurred statewide, in both urban and rural settings, but tended to occur more often in rural environments (75%). Abuse was reported throughout the day with a peak incidence at 8 pm. One hundred twenty-three patients received direct medical evaluation or care. There was one fatality in this series and 15 patients were described as having life threatening symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Inhalation abuse may begin very early in childhood and abuse appears to peak in adolescence. The regional poison information center can act as a sentinel for abuse patterns. This information can assist health care providers in poison and abuse prevention efforts.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0731-3810
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -