[Paracetamol poisoning among immigrants in a department of hepatology].

INTRODUCTION

An increased incidence of suicides and suicidal behaviour among immigrants has been described in other countries. In Denmark, misuse of paracetamol is suspected in some foreign-born minority groups, although no data have been produced to substantiate this suspicion.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A retrospective study of the incidence of paracetamol poisoning in patients admitted to a specialised department of hepatology from 1994 to 1999 was carried out.

RESULTS

Of a total of 580 patients, 56 (9.7%) were immigrants, among whom a significant overrepresentation was found of immigrants from Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and Lebanon (observed/expected ratios of 1.95, 4.14, 2.67, and 2.45 respectively). The immigrants differed from the Danish-born patients in that they were younger (21 vs 35 years of age), had a lower level of alcohol consumption (3% vs 30% with regular alcohol abuse), and were in general less severely intoxicated (3% vs 22% developing hepatic encephalopathy). Compared to the Danish-born patients, the immigrants more frequently stated socio-economic problems as the reason for their self-poisoning (29% vs 10%).

DISCUSSION: The study demonstrates an overrepresentation of immigrants among patients admitted with paracetamol poisoning in Denmark.