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Hospitalizations for acetaminophen overdose: a Canadian population-based study from 1995 to 2004

Robert P Myers1, Bing Li, Andrew Fong

  • 1Liver Unit, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. rpmyers@ucalgary.ca

BMC Public Health
|July 7, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Acetaminophen overdose hospitalizations decreased overall, especially intentional overdoses. However, accidental overdoses rose, and older adults, females, Aboriginals, and those on social assistance remain at high risk for acetaminophen overdose.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Toxicology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Acetaminophen overdose (AO) is a leading cause of acute liver failure.
  • Understanding temporal trends and risk factors for AO is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine temporal trends in hospitalization rates for acetaminophen overdose (AO).
  • To identify sociodemographic risk factors associated with AO in a large Canadian health region.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 1,543 patients hospitalized for AO.
  • Data collected from administrative records in the Calgary Health Region between 1995 and 2004.

Main Results:

  • Hospitalization rates for AO decreased by 41% from 1995 to 2004.
  • Intentional overdoses significantly declined, while accidental overdoses showed an increasing trend after 2002.
  • Key risk factors identified include female sex, Aboriginal status, and receipt of social assistance.

Conclusions:

  • Hospitalization rates for AO, particularly intentional ingestions, have declined in the study region.
  • Younger populations, females, Aboriginal individuals, and those receiving social assistance face the highest risk for AO.
Abstract

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