Poisoning: Overview and Statistics

Abstract

It is difficult to obtain reliable information on the morbidity and mortality resulting from poisoning, even in countries with comparatively advanced population health data collection systems. Despite difficulties in the interpretation of available data, certain general observations can be made on the epidemiology of poisoning. Childhood poisoning is usually accidental, and tends to be associated with low morbidity and mortality. In western Europe and North America it is most often due to household products and pharmaceuticals: in developing countries, pesticides and household products are most commonly involved. In adults, self-poisoning is usually deliberate (suicide or parasuicide) and has higher morbidity and mortality. Analgesics and psychotropics predominate in western Europe and North America as cause of admission to hospital, though carbon monoxide is responsible for most deaths occurring outside hospital. In developing countries accidental and deliberate pesticide poisoning remains the commonest cause of adult deaths by poisoning. The mortality rate for deliberate self-poisoning in developing countries is estimated at 10–20%, largely with pesticides but including all sources, in contrast with the 0.5–1% commonly found in western Europe and North America.