SELF-POISONING PATIENTS IN AN INTENSIVE-CARE UNIT

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 13  (2) , 96-101
Abstract
Self-poisoning cases (147) admitted within 1 yr to an intensive care unit (ICU) were analyzed. About half the patients had taken only 1 substance. The most important poisons were alcohol (53% of cases), neuroleptics (37%), anxiolytics (28%), hypnotics (27%), antidepressants (16%) and analgesics (13%). On admission, 25% of patients with hypotensive and 25% had cardiac arrhythmias or conduction disturbances. Retention of CO2 was found in 28% of cases. In 60% of patients the stomach contents were emptied. Four patients, all of whom survived, were treated with hemodialysis. Most patients were treated in the ICU for < 2 days. Three patients died; all had taken large amounts of poisons and/or were in a critical condition on admission. Among men the most common psychiatric disorder preceding the poisoning was alcoholism; among women it was depression. A serious attempt at suicide was the reason with 38% of cases and .apprx. 2/3 patients were sent for psychiatric aftercare. To reduce further suicide attempts, large general hospitals should have psychiatric outpatient clinics or consultation facilities.

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