There's been a sharp rise in the severity of cases reported to U.S. poison control centers over the past two decades Cases of both intentional and unintentional exposures to drugs and other potential poisons are now more likely to end in death or diasbility Such trends are being seen among both adults and children THURSDAY, June 6, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- America's poison control centers are increasingly fielding calls on cases of deliberate or accidental poisonings that end in disability or death, a new report finds.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System reviewed more than 33.7 million poison exposures reported to the 55 poison centers in the United States between 2007 and the end of 2021. Over that time, the number of calls involving "intentional exposures" to poisonous drugs that resulted in a death more than tripled (a 233.
9% rise). Intentional exposures "include cases such as suicide attempts, use of illegal drugs and incorrect use of medications for reasons other than their intended purpose, such as to get high," UVA Health explained in a news release. Cases of accidental, unintentional exposures to poisons have also gotten more severe, the study found.
The number of unintentional exposures that ended up with the patient being disabled or maimed rose by 37.4% between 2007 and 2021, and the number resulting in death rose by 65.3%, according to a team led by Dr.
Christopher Holstege . He directs UVA Health’s Blue Ridge Poison Center. Cases of unintent.
