ot:ED visits for drug-related poisoning in the United States, 2007

[Guest guest]

ED visits for drug-related poisoning in the United States, 2007.

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21367556>

Xiang Y, Zhao W, Xiang H, GA.

Am J Emerg Med. 2011 Feb 28.

http://www.ajemjournal.com/article/S0735-6757(10)00583-8/abstract

BACKGROUND: Fatal drug-related poisoning has been well described.

However, death data only show the tip of the iceberg of drug-related

poisoning as a public health problem. Using the 2007 Nationwide

Emergency Department Sample, this study described the characteristics of

emergency department visits for drug-related poisoning in the United States.

METHODS: Any ED visit that had an International Classification of

Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis code of

960-979 was defined as a drug-related poisoning case. Intentionality of

poisoning was determined by E-codes. Weighted estimates of ED visits

were calculated by patient and hospital characteristics, intentionality

of poisoning, and selected drug classes. Population rates by sex, age,

urban/rural classification, median household income in patient's zip

code, and hospital region were calculated.

RESULTS: An estimated 699123 (95% confidence interval, 666529-731717) ED

visits for drug-related poisoning occurred in 2007. Children 0 to 5

years old had the highest rate for unintentional poisoning (male, 237

per 100000; female, 218 per 100000). The rate of drug-related poisoning

in rural areas (684 per 100000) was 3 times higher than the rates in

other areas. Psychotropic agents and analgesics were responsible for

43.7% of all drug-related poisoning. Women 18 to 20 years old had the

highest ED visit rate for suicidal poisoning (245 per 100000). The

estimated ED charges were $1394051262, and 41.1% were paid by Medicaid

and Medicare.

CONCLUSION: Antidepressants and analgesics were responsible for nearly

44% of ED visits for drug-related poisoning in the United States.

Interventions and future research should target prescription opioids,

rural areas, children 0 to 5 years old for unintentional drug-related

poisoning, and female ages 12 to 24 years for suicidal drug-related

poisoning.

two news synopses:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/drug-related-poisoning-the-cause-for-nea\

rly-700000-emergency-department-visits-a-year-according-to-new-research-11808475\

4.html

http://tinyurl.com/4ogl3db