@article{ref1,
title="Deliberate self-poisoning in an Irish county hospital",
journal="Irish journal of medical science",
year="2001",
author="McMahon, G. T. and McGarry, Kathleen",
volume="170",
number="2",
pages="94-7; discussion 90",
abstract="BACKGROUND: In 1997, 433 people committed suicide in Ireland, one-quarter of whom were less than 24 years of age. AIM: To determine demographics, agent choice and source, suicidality and follow-up care of deliberate self-poisoning patients. METHOD: Details of 111 patients admitted to one hospital in 1997 following drug overdose were studied retrospectively. Eleven had been accidental ingestions, the remaining 100 were deliberate self-poisoning. RESULTS: Men accounted for 38% of the presentations and were more likely to have suicidal intent than women. An average of 2.3 different agents were used. Paracetamol was taken by 37%, hypnotics/anxiolytics by 33% and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories by 17%. Alcohol was consumed synchronously by 51% and 17% fulfilled criteria for alcohol dependency. One-third of patients were clinically depressed. All six patients requiring ventilation had consumed a combination of tricyclic antidepressants and alcohol. There were no deaths. CONCLUSION: Deliberate self-poisoning remains a significant problem. Paracetamol and alcohol use are particularly marked in this population. The combination of tricyclic antidepressant drugs and alcohol were the most dangerous.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0021-1265",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}