Admissions to the Cardiff Poisons Unit involving paracetamol poisoning (1989–2002)

Abstract

In this study, the trends in paracetamol poisoning were examined over more than a decade in Cardiff and compared with patterns for other substances taken in overdose. All data concerned patients aged 14 years and over of both genders, who were referred to the Cardiff Poisons Treatment Unit between 1989 and 2002. The Chi-squared test for trend was used. During the 14-year study period, there were 18,834 admissions to the hospital, involving poisoning either with pure paracetamol or paracetamol in combination with other drugs (37%, N = 6975), and the proportion of admissions with paracetamol poisoning increased from 36% in 1989 to 44% in 2002. Paracetamol was the second most common drug associated with admissions related to poisoning to the Cardiff Poisons Treatment Unit (37%), after alcohol (48%). Thus, paracetamol poisoning remains a major public health concern in the UK.

Keywords:

• paracetamol poisoning
• admissions
• Cardiff Poisons Treatment Unit
• age
• overdose

Acknowledgements

We thank Mrs. G. Alldridge, Dr A. Hutchings and Prof. PA Routledge for permission to access the database of the Poisons Unit at Llandough Hospital and Dr N. Bateman for helpful recommendations.