Citation

Schmidt LE, Dalhoff KP. Dan. Med. Bull. 2001; 48(2): 88-90.

Affiliation

Department of Hepatology A, 2.12.1, H:S Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø. lars.schmidt@dadlnet.dk

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Danish Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11414125

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: An increased incidence of suicides and suicidal behaviour among immigrants has been described in other countries. In Denmark, misuse of paracetamol is suspected in some foreign-born minority groups, although no data have been produced to substantiate this suspicion. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study of the incidence of paracetamol poisoning in patients admitted to a specialised department of hepatology from 1994 to 1999 was carried out. RESULTS: Of a total of 580 patients, 56 (9.7%; 95%-confidence interval 7.2-12.1%) were immigrants, among whom a significant overrepresentation was found of immigrants from Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and Lebanon (Observed/Expected-ratios of 1.95, 4.14, 2.67, and 2.45 respectively; p < 0.05). The immigrants differed from the Danish-born patients being younger (21 vs 35 years of age; p < 0.05), having a lower level of alcohol consumption (3% vs 30% with regular alcohol abuse; p < 0.05), and in general being less severely intoxicated (3% vs 22% developing hepatic encephalopathy; p < 0.05). Compared to the Danish-born patients, the immigrants more frequently stated socio-economic problems as the reason for their self-poisoning (29% vs 10%; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates an overrepresentation of immigrants among patients admitted with paracetamol poisoning in Denmark.

Language: en