Unintentional, self-inflicted drug poisoning rises among young adults

The rate of ED visits for drug poisoning has increased since 2004, with roughly 1.1 million visits each year since 2008, according to a recently published data brief by the CDC.

“Poisoning is the leading cause of injury-related mortality in the U.S., with more than 40,000 deaths annually. Drugs account for 90% of poisoning deaths, and the number of deaths from drug poisoning has increased substantially in recent years,” Michael Albert, MD, MPH, division of health care statistics, CDC, and colleagues wrote.

Data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2008 to 2011 showed that overall, the highest rate of ED visits for drug poisoning was seen in adults aged 20 to 34 years. After age 34, visit rates declined, with only 25.2 per 10,000 among those aged 50 years and over. Similar rates were seen for persons aged 0 to 19 years, with 28.8 per 10,000 visits between 2008-2011.

No significant increase in ED visits for drug poisoning was seen among age groups from the initial analysis from 2004-2007 to 2008-2011, with the exception of adults aged 20-34 years. Between 2004-2007 and 2008-2011, the rate of visits for adults aged 20-34 years increased from 36.3 per 10,000 persons to 53.9 per 10,000 persons.

Women between the ages of 35 to 49 years had a higher visit rate compared with men, however, no other difference in visit rates were observed between genders. Men were more likely to visit the ED for unintentional drug poisoning (18 per 10,000) compared with self-inflicted poisoning (10.2 per 10,000).

Roughly half the ED visits for drug poisoning, both unintentional and self-inflicted, were from analgesics, antipyretics and antirheumatics or sedatives, hypnotics, tranquilizers and other psychotropic agents. Among ED visits for unintentional drug poisoning, opiates, heroin and methadone accounted for 14%.

Nearly a quarter of drug poisoning related ED visits led to hospitalization (24.5%), with this percentage increasing with patient age.

Reference:

Albert M, et al. NCHS Data Brief, no 196. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2015.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.