Use of paracetamol for suicide and non-fatal poisoning in the UK and France
Are restrictions on availability justified
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 11181048 |
|---|---|
| Authors | D Gunnell (University of Bristol), Keith Hawton (0000-0003-4985-5715, University of Bristol), Virginia Murray (0000-0003-4746-4024, University of Bristol), R Garnier (0000-0002-6318-7058, University of Bristol), C Bismuth (University of Bristol), Joan Fagg (0000-0002-0870-3830, University of Bristol), Sue Simkin (University of Bristol) |
| Year | 1997 |
| Volume | 51 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 175-179 |
| Publication date | 1997-04-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0143-005X • E-ISSN: 1470-2738 |
| Publisher | BMJ (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1136/jech.51.2.175 |
| PMID | 9196648 |
| OpenAlex | W2094813179 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 7 |
| References cited | 12 |
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the availability of paracetamol and its use for overdose and suicide. DESIGN: Analysis of routinely collected information on time trends for paracetamol suicides, non-fatal overdoses, and sales. SETTING: England and Wales and France. RESULTS: There were strong correlations between trends in paracetamol sales in the UK and trends in non-fatal paracetamol overdose in Oxford between 1976 and 1993 (Spearman's r = 0.86; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54, 0.96) and between paracetamol sales and non-fatal overdoses in France between 1974 and 1990 (r = 0.99; 95% CI 0.97, 1.00). Sales figures were also correlated with paracetamol related suicides in both England and Wales, 1983-91 (r = 0.72; 95% CI 0.11, 0.94) and France, 1974-90 (r = 0.79; 95% CI 0.50, 0.92). Similarly strong relationships were observed between trends in non-fatal overdoses and suicide by paracetamol poisoning in England and Wales (r = 0.85; 95% CI 0.61, 0.95) and France (r = 0.79; 95% CI 0.50, 0.92). It is estimated that approximately 32,000 overdoses involving paracetamol occur annually in England and Wales. Fatality rates from paracetamol overdose were four times as high in England and Wales (0.4%, 95% CI 0.38, 0.46) as in France (0.1%, 95% CI 0.06, 0.17). CONCLUSION: Trends towards greater availability of paracetamol are paralleled by increases in its use for both non-fatal overdose and suicide. Paracetamol related morbidity and mortality seem to be less frequent in France where the quantity of paracetamol in a single purchase is limited. Although not conclusive, these data add to a body of evidence which suggests that restrictions in the quantity of paracetamol available as a single purchase in the UK may reduce suicide and liver failure related to paracetamol
Acetaminophen · Anesthesia · Case fatality rate · Confidence interval · Drug overdose · Injury prevention · New england · Occupational safety and health · Poison control · Suicide prevention · Demography · Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Protection · Emergency Medicine · Epidemiology · Internal Medicine · Medicine · Nephrotoxicity and Medicinal Plants · Poisoning and overdose treatments
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| Unique citing works | 7 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0.24 |
| Citation span | 1997 - 2014 (18) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 7 |