Significant decrease in the rate of fatal alcohol poisonings in Finland validated by blood alcohol concentration statistics

Kriikku, Pirkko; Ojanperä, Ilkka

doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107722

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…This is consistent with the profile of long-standing heavy drinkers, with a preference for beverages with a high alcohol content and lower cost per unit, as was also seen in cases of noncommercial beverage consumption. Consistent with earlier studies, the mean BAC was 0.331 g/100 mL [5,[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. BACs in this series, however, covered a broad range.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…Consistent with earlier studies, the mean BAC was 0.331 g/100 mL [5, 11–19]. BACs in this series, however, covered a broad range.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…While death due to alcohol toxicity is a significant public health concern, there are surprisingly few studies that present the toxicology and circumstances of alcohol poisoning deaths [5,[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. In these relatively few studies, cases may be characterised broadly as predominantly male, aged in their late 40s, with a history of dependent heavy drinking.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characteristics, toxicology and major organ pathology of deaths due to acute alcohol toxicity in Australia, 2011–2022

Darke,

Duflou,

Peacock

et al. 2024

Drug and Alcohol Review

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IntroductionAcute alcohol toxicity is a significant component of alcohol‐related mortality. The study aimed to: (i) determine the circumstances of death and characteristics of fatal alcohol toxicity cases, 2011–2022; (ii) determine their toxicological profile and major autopsy findings; and (iii) determine trends in population mortality rates.MethodsRetrospective study of acute alcohol toxicity deaths in Australia, 2011–2022, retrieved from the National Coronial Information System.ResultsA total of 891 cases were identified, with a mean age of 49.2 years, 71.0% being male. Alcohol use problems were noted in 71.3%. In 57.5% death was attributed solely to acute alcohol toxicity, and combined acute alcohol toxicity/disease in 42.5%. There was evidence of sudden collapse in 24.9% of cases. The mean BAC was 0.331 g/100 mL (range 0.107–0.936), and spirits were the most commonly reported beverages (35.8%). Cases of combined toxicity/disease had significantly lower BACs than those attributed solely to alcohol toxicity (0.296 vs. 0.358 g/100 mL). Cardiomegaly was diagnosed in 32.5%, and severe coronary artery disease in 22.1%. Aspiration of vomitus was noted in 18.0%, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 19.6%. Severe liver steatosis was present in 33.4% and 13.6% had cirrhosis. There was an average annual percentage increase in deaths of 7.90.Discussion and ConclusionsThe ‘typical’ case was a long‐standing, heavy spirits drinker. BACs showed enormous variation and no arbitrary concentration may be deemed lethal. Clinically significant disease was associated with death at a lower BAC and people with such disease may be at increased risk of alcohol poisoning.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…Consistent with earlier studies, the mean BAC was 0.331 g/100 mL [5, 11–19]. BACs in this series, however, covered a broad range.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characteristics, toxicology and major organ pathology of deaths due to acute alcohol toxicity in Australia, 2011–2022

Darke,

Duflou,

Peacock

et al. 2024

Drug and Alcohol Review

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“…Even though data on poisoning substances were not gathered in this study, the prior literature allows us to hypothesize that a significant number of alcohol poisonings are present in this population. 28 , 29 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Accuracy of dispatch and prehospital triage performance in poisonings – A retrospective study from northern Finland

Koskela

Raatiniemi

Ehrola

et al. 2022

Acta Anaesthesiol Scand

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Background Increasing numbers of dispatches place a burden on EMS; this study sought to assess the prehospital evaluation of poisoned patients transported to hospital. The primary aim of this study was to measure dispatch centre and EMS provider performance as well as factors contributing to the recognition of poisoning among prehospital patients. The secondary aim was to compare triage performance between dispatch centres and EMS providers. Methods A retrospective single‐centre study in Northern Finland was conducted. Patients suspected as poisonings by dispatch centres as well as other EMS‐transported patients who received a diagnosis of poisoning in hospital between June 1, 2015 and June 1, 2017, were included. Results There were a total of 1668 poisoning‐related EMS missions. Dispatch centres suspected poisonings with sensitivity of 79.9% (95% CI 76.7–82.9) and specificity of 98.9% (95% CI 98.9–99.0) when all EMS missions were taken into account. In a logistic regression model, decreased state of consciousness as dispatch code (OR 7.18, 95% CI 1.90–27.05) and intravenous fluid resuscitation (OR 6.58, 95% CI 1.34–32.37) were associated with EMS transport providers not recognizing poisoning. Overtriage rate appeared significantly higher (33.6%, 95% CI 28.6–39.2) for dispatch when compared with transport (17.8%, 95% CI 13.9–22.6). Conclusion Dispatch centres seem to suspect poisonings fairly accurately. Poisonings unrecognized by EMS providers may be linked with intravenous fluid resuscitation and decreased patient consciousness. Overtriage appears to resolve somewhat from dispatch to transport. There were no fatal poisonings in this study population.

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Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol

Jones¹

2022

Handbook of Forensic Medicine

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Significant decrease in the rate of fatal alcohol poisonings in Finland validated by blood alcohol concentration statistics

Cited by 7 publications

References 26 publications

Characteristics, toxicology and major organ pathology of deaths due to acute alcohol toxicity in Australia, 2011–2022

Characteristics, toxicology and major organ pathology of deaths due to acute alcohol toxicity in Australia, 2011–2022

Accuracy of dispatch and prehospital triage performance in poisonings – A retrospective study from northern Finland

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol

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