Abstract
Objective: Drug overdose exposures were compared with chemical poisoning in terms of demographics, associated factors and final outcomes.
Method: Deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) cases admitted to Penang General Hospital during the years 2000-2004 were Studied. Chi-square, independent t-test and binary logistic were used whenever applicable.
Results: Indian patients were more likely to use household products, whereas Malay and Chinese patients were more likely to take drug overdoses (P=.001). Drug overdose victims experienced more socioeconomic problems (P=.05) and were more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (P=.052). Chemical poisoning patients presented earlier (P=.011), were hospitalized for shorter time (P=.001) and had a higher rate of mortality (P=.01).
Conclusion: The present study has identified a unique ethnic variation in the choice Of Suicide attempts from toxic substances. DSP associated with drug overdose showed significant morbidity, but increased mortality was seen in chemical poisoning. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.