[Epidemiological analysis of drug self-poisonings treated by a mobile intensive care unit]

Abstract

Purpose: Study the epidemiology, prehospital emergency care and short-term evolution of the drug self poisonings.

Methods: Retrospective analysis from January 1999 to December 2000 of drug self poisonings requiring Grenoble (France) intensive care unit action and patient follow up.

Results: 325 patients, 39.3 years old +/- 14.5 have been treated. The drug self poisonings are representing 4.6% of Grenoble mobile intensive care unit activity. The sex-ratio was, for the 15 to 24 years old population, 2.3 females for 1 male. Mobile intensive care unit has been decided in first intention on 56.3%. 556 toxic substances have been reported, psychotropics are prevailing (79.4% of all drug self poisonings). Intubation has been necessary in 24%. 64.4% of the treated population has been hospitalized into intensive care units. The main exit step of the first admission unit was returning home. Death rate was 0.9%.

Conclusion: Drug self poisoning is an important part of mobile intensive care unit activity. The very low death rate could be related to several criteria: a high efficient rescue unit setting up a symptomatic based medical treatment and the current decreased toxicity of the ingested drugs.