Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Deliberate self-poisoning in an Irish county hospital

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Irish Journal of Medical Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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 ani-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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Personal communication from Declan Bedford, Specialist in Public Health Medicine for the North Eastern Health Board. On file, October 1999.

  2. Bialas MC, Reid PG, Beck P et al. Changing patterns of self-poisoning in a UK Health District.Q J Med 1996; 89: 893–901.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. British Department of Health, Hospital Episode Statistics System 1993–94. Finished consultant episodes by diagnosis, operation and speciality: Poisoning and toxic effects. Department of Health, London.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Hawton K, Fagg J. Suicide and other causes of death following attempted suicide. Br J Psychiatry 1988; 152: 359–66.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Neilsen B, Wang AG, Bille-Brahe U. Attempted suicide in Denmark, IV. A five year follow-up.Acta Psychiatr Scand 1990; 81: 250–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Nordentoft M, Breum L, Munck LK et al. High mortality by natural and unnatural causes: a 10 year follow-up study of patients admitted to a poisoning treatment center after suicide attempts.Br Med J 1993; 306: 1637–41.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Yeo HM. The cost of treatment of deliberate self harm.Arch Emerg Med 1992; 9: 8–14.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Kenny B, McCarthy R. Responding to Youth Suicide and Attempted Youth Suicide in Ireland. Barnardo’s (Ireland) Policy Briefing no. 1. 1999. ISBN: 1898662525.

  9. Stark C, Smith H, Hall D. Increase in parasuicide in Scotland,Br Med J 1994; 308: 1569–70.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Hawton K, Fagg J, Simkin S, Mills J. The epidemiology of attempted suicide in the Oxford area, England (1989– 1992).Crisis 1994; 15: 123–35.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Platt S, Bille-Brahe U, Kerkhof A et al. Parasuicide in Europe: the WHO/EURO multicentre study on parasuicide. I. Introduction and preliminary analysis for 1989.Acta Psychiatr Scand 1992; 85: 97–104.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Hall AK, Curry C. Changing epidemiology and management of deliberate self-poisoning in Christchurch.New Zealand Med J 1994; 107: 396–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Stein MD, Bonanno J, O’Sullivan PS, Wachtel TJ. Changes in the pattern of drug overdoses.J Gen Intern Med 1993; 8: 179–84.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Grootenhuis M, Hawton K, VanRooijen L, Fagg J. Attempted suicide in Oxford and Utrecht.Br J Psychiatry 1994; 165: 73–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Quigley N, Galloway R, Kelly C. Changes in the pattern of deliberate self-poisoning presenting at Craigavon Area Hospital: 1976, 1986 and 1991.Ulster Med J 1994; 63: 155–61.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Kelleher MJ, Keohane B, Corcoran P, Keeley HS. Elderly suicides in Ireland.Irish Med J 1997; 90: 72–4.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Brandon G. Paracetamol overdose: the way forward.Pharm J 1994; 252: 804.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Hall AK, Curry C. Changing epidemiology and management of deliberate self-poisoning in Christchurch.New Zealand Med J 1994; 107: 396–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Hawton K, Fagg J, Simkin S, Bale E, Bond A. Trends in deliberate self harm in Oxford, 1985–1995.Br J Psychiatry 1997; 171: 556–60.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Darragh P. Epidemiology of suicide in Northern Ireland 1984–89.Irish J Med Sci 1991; 160: 354–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Masterson G. Monthly and seasonal variation in parasuicide.Br J Psychiatry 1991; 158: 155–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Barker A, Hawton K, Fagg J, Jamison C. Seasonal and weather factors in parasuicide.Br J Psychiatry 1994; 165: 375–80.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Holding T, Buglass D, Duffy JC et al. Parasuicide in Edinburgh: a seven year review 1968–74.Br J Psychiatry 1977; 130: 534–43.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Hawton K, Fagg J. Deliberate self-poisoning and selfinjury in adolescents: a study of characteristics and trends in Oxford.Br J Psychiatry 1992; 161: 816–23.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Dennis M, Beach M, Evans PA, Winston A, Friedman T. An examination of the accident and emergency management of deliberate self harm.J Accid Emerg Med 1997; 14: 311–15.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Prescott LF, Highley MS. Drags prescribed for self-poisoners.Br Med J 1985; 290: 1633–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Rygnestad T. A comparitive prospective study of self-poisoning patients in Trondheim, Norway between 1978 and 1987. Epidemiology and clinical data.Hum Toxicology 1989; 8: 475–82.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Malone K, McCormack G, Malone JP. Non-fatal deliberate self-poisoning in Dublin’s north inner city: an overview.Irish Med J 1992; 85: 132–5.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Merrill J, Miner G, Owens J, Vale JA. Alcohol and attempted suicide.Br J Addict 1992; 87: 83.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Ôjehagen A, Daanielsson M, Träskman-Benz L. Deliberate self-poisoning; treatment follow-up of repeaters and nonrepeaters.Acta Psychiatr Scand 1992; 85: 370–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Suokas J, Lönnquist J. Suicide attempts in which alcohol is involved; a special group in general hospital emergency rooms.Acta Psychiatr Scand 1995; 91: 36–40.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Alsen M, Ekedahl A, Löwenhielm P et al. Medicine selfpoisoning and the sources of the drugs in Lund, Sweden.Acta Psychiatr Scand 1994; 89: 255–61.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Hall AK, Curry C. Changing epidemiology and management of deliberate self-poisoning in Christchurch.New Zealand Med J 1994; 107: 396–99.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Hawton K, Ware C, Mistry H et al. Why patients choose paracetamol for self-poisoning and their knowledge of its dangers.Br Med J 1995; 310: 164.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. McLoone P, Crombie IK. Hospitalisation for Deliberate Self-Poisoning in Scotland from 1981 to 1993: Trends in Rates and Types of Drugs Used.Br J Psychiatry 1996; 169: 81–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Buckley N, Whyte IM, Dawson AJ, McManus PR, Ferguson NW. Self-poisoning in Newcastle, 1987–1992.Med J Aust 1995; 162: 190–3.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Hawton K, Ware C, Mistry H et al. Paracetamol self-poisoning. Characteristics, prevention and harm reduction.Br J Psychiatry 1996; 168: 43–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Spooner JB, Harvey JG. Paracetamol overdosage — facts not misconceptions.Pharm J 1993; 250: 706–7.

    Google Scholar 

  39. O’Grady JG, Wendon J, Tan KC et al. Liver transplantation after paracetamol overdose.Br Med J 1991; 303: 221–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Jick SS, Dean AD, Jick H. Antidepressants and suicide.Br Med J 1995; 310: 215–8.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. O’Donovan FC, Owens J, Tracey JA, Self poisoning: admission to intensive care over a one year period.Irish Med J 1993; 86: 64–5.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Mulcahy HE, Hegarty JE. Paracetamol Hepatotoxicity.Irish J Med Sci 1993; 162: 1–2.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. DeMoore GM, Robertson AR. Suicide in the 18 years after deliberate self-harm: A prospective study.Br J Psychiatry 1996; 169: 489–94.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Michel K, Waeber V, Valach L, Arestegui G, Spuhler T. A comparison of the drugs taken in fatal and non-fatal self-poisoning.Acta Psychiatr Scand 1994; 90: 184–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Cugino A, Markovich EI, Rosenblatt S et al. Searching for a pattern: repeat suicide attempts.J Psychosoc Nurs 1992; 30: 23–6.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. MacNamara AF, Riyat MS, Quinton DN. The changing profile of poisoning and its management.J Royal Soc Med 1996; 89: 608–10.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Irish Department of Health & Children. Report of the National Task Force on Suicide. Government Publications. January 1998.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, Co Meath, Ireland

    G. T. McMahon & K. McGarry

Authors
  1. G. T. McMahon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. K. McGarry
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

McMahon, G.T., McGarry, K. Deliberate self-poisoning in an Irish county hospital. Ir J Med Sci 170, 94–97 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03168817

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03168817

Keywords

Search

Navigation