<p>Psychiatric comorbidities in patients with intentional methanol intoxication</p>

Abstract

BackgroundIntentional methanol intoxication (IMI) is an emerging public health issue in Asian countries, but few data are available in the literature on underlying psychiatric comorbidities in these suicide attempters.Patients and methodsWe conducted a retrospective chart review on patients with methanol intoxication (MI) treated at Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan during 2000–2016. Of the 56 cases of documented MI, 16 were IMI. Baseline demographic, clinical, laboratory, psychiatric diagnoses, and mortality data were collected and analyzed.ResultsPatient group with IMI had more females (62.5% vs 7.5%, P=0.000), less alcohol consumption (33.3% vs 92.5%, P=0.000), and less smoking (40.0% vs 79.5%, P=0.009), but higher past psychiatric disease (73.3% vs 10.0%, P=0.000) and past suicide attempts (81.1% vs 2.5%, P=0.000) than patient group with unintentional MI (UMI). Pesticides (50.0%) comprised the most common source used for suicide, followed by industrial methanol (37.5%). There was no significant difference in mortality rates between these two group (25.0% vs 22.5%, P=0.548). Twelve (75.0%) survivors of IMI were referred to a psychiatric consultation-liaison team, and depressive disorder (58.3%) and adjustment disorder (25.0%) were common.ConclusionThere is a female predominance and a high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities, namely depression and adjustment disorder in patients with IMI. Besides, alcohol consumption is a prevalent but not adequately treated condition in UMI group.

Incidence of Intoxication Events and Patient Outcomes in Taiwan: a Nationwide Population-based Observational Study

“…We found that patients with previous psychiatric illnesses were more likely present to an ED with intoxication, have more severe intoxication, and die from intoxication. These results are consistent with previous studies that patients with psychiatric illness had higher risks of drug overdose (30)(31)(32)(33). However, in our study these patients had longer hospital LOS, but lower daily medical expenses.…”

Incidence of intoxication events and patient outcomes in Taiwan: A nationwide population-based observational study

“…We found that patients with previous psychiatric illnesses were more likely present to an ED with intoxication, have more severe intoxication, and die from intoxication. These results are consistent with previous studies that patients with psychiatric illness had higher drug overdose [40][41][42][43]. Additionally, in our study, these patients had longer hospital LOS, but lower daily medical expenses.…”