Læknablaðið - 15.04.1986, Page 22

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LÆKNABLAÐIÐ
earlier study from the same hospital during the years
1971-1975. There has been a 32% increase in admissions
due to self-poisoning during this period and this is a
significant increase, even when the increase in the
population of the area is taken into account. On the other
hand, the female/maleratio has decreased from 1.31/1 to
1.09/1. The age groups are practically unchanged, 70%
are less than 50 years of age and 32% are between 21 and
30 years old. The earlier trend of decreasing barbiturate
poisoning has continued but tranquilizers and anti-
depressants are now the most common drugs. Poisonings
due to hard drugs are very rare as in the earlier study. In
496 admissions there were seven hospital deaths (1.4%)
and this mortality figure is similar to comparable studies
elsewhere.
2. Jones DIR: Self-poisoning with drugs: the past 20
years in Sheffield. Br Med J 1977; 1: 28-9.
3. Sangster G, McCulloch DK, Lawson AAH: Medical-
ly serious self-poisoning in West Fife, 1970-1979.
Clin Toxicol 1981; 18: 1005-14.
4. Petersen H, Brosstad F: Pattern of acute drug
poisoninginOslo. ActaMed Scand 1977; 201: 233-7.
5. Jacobsen JB, Nielsen H, Ringsted C, Andersen PK:
Bevidst selvforgiftning: fem árs materiale fra en
intensivafdeling. Ugeskr Læger 1981; 143: 2430-3.
6. Heath A, Selander D: Self-poisoning treated in the
ICU. Acta Med Scand 1979; 206: 51-4.
HEIMILDIR
1. Guðmundur Oddsson: Lyfjaeitranir á lyflækninga-
deild Borgarspítalans 1971-1975. Læknablaðið
1978; (fylgirit 6) 120-4.