OBJECTIVE: To describe poisoning hospitalisations among reproductive-aged women from 1998 to 2006. METHODS: 1998-2006 data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample of the Healthcare Cost and Utilisation Project were used to identify hospitalisations for poisonings among US women aged 15-44 years. Differences in hospitalisation characteristics were compared by intent using χ(2) statistics. Trends in poisoning hospitalisation rates were calculated overall and by subgroup. RESULTS: There were approximately 636,000 poisoning hospitalisations in women aged 15-44 years during 1998-2006. Hospitalisations for intentionally self-inflicted poisonings had a higher proportion of women aged 15-24 years and privately insured women than did unintentional poisonings (p<0.001). Poisoning hospitalisations in rural areas and those that resulted in death were more likely to be of undetermined intent than those for which intent was specified (p<0.001). Co-diagnoses of substance abuse (34.5%) or mental disorders (66.5%) were high. The rate of poisoning hospitalisations overall and unintentional poisoning hospitalisations increased 6% and 22%, respectively, during this period (p<0.001). The most frequently diagnosed poisoning agent was acetaminophen. Poisonings attributable to acetaminophen, opioids, central nervous system stimulants and benzodiazepines increased, while poisonings attributable to antidepressants decreased (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The increase in unintentional poisoning hospitalisations among women aged 15-44 years and the changing profile of poisoning agents should inform the healthcare community's poisoning prevention strategies. Poisoning prevention strategies should include a component to address substance abuse and mental health disorders among reproductive-age women.
OBJECTIVE: To describe poisoning hospitalisations among reproductive-aged women from 1998 to 2006. METHODS: 1998-2006 data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample of the Healthcare Cost and Utilisation Project were used to identify hospitalisations for poisonings among US women aged 15-44 years. Differences in hospitalisation characteristics were compared by intent using χ(2) statistics. Trends in poisoning hospitalisation rates were calculated overall and by subgroup. RESULTS: There were approximately 636,000 poisoning hospitalisations in women aged 15-44 years during 1998-2006. Hospitalisations for intentionally self-inflicted poisonings had a higher proportion of women aged 15-24 years and privately insured women than did unintentional poisonings (p<0.001). Poisoning hospitalisations in rural areas and those that resulted in death were more likely to be of undetermined intent than those for which intent was specified (p<0.001). Co-diagnoses of substance abuse (34.5%) or mental disorders (66.5%) were high. The rate of poisoning hospitalisations overall and unintentional poisoning hospitalisations increased 6% and 22%, respectively, during this period (p<0.001). The most frequently diagnosed poisoning agent was acetaminophen. Poisonings attributable to acetaminophen, opioids, central nervous system stimulants and benzodiazepines increased, while poisonings attributable to antidepressants decreased (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The increase in unintentional poisoning hospitalisations among women aged 15-44 years and the changing profile of poisoning agents should inform the healthcare community's poisoning prevention strategies. Poisoning prevention strategies should include a component to address substance abuse and mental health disorders among reproductive-age women.
Authors: Jacqueline M Major; Esther H Zhou; Hui-Lee Wong; James P Trinidad; Tracy M Pham; Hina Mehta; Yulan Ding; Judy A Staffa; Solomon Iyasu; Cunlin Wang; Mary E Willy Journal: Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf Date: 2015-11-03 Impact factor: 2.890