Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #117552

Sue Mallonee, RN, MPH, Office of Scientific Affairs, Oklahoma State Department of Health, 1000 NE 10th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1299, 405-271-4200, suem@health.ok.gov and Fhamida Khan, MD, MPH, Office of the Commissioner, Oklahoma State Department of Health, 1000 NE 10th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1299.

Background. Drug/poison exposures are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in Oklahoma. This study will describe the epidemiology of unintentional prescription and nonprescription medication-related deaths and determine trends and types of drugs used.

Methods. Cases were identified by an electronic search of the statewide Medical Examiner (ME) database from 1994-2003 where cause of death was coded as unintentional drug or poisoning-related; only deaths related to prescription or nonprescription drugs were analyzed.

Results. A total of 923 persons died unintentionally from ingestion of medications (annual death rate: 2.7 per 100,000 population). The average number of deaths from 2001-2003 (183) was nearly six times higher than from 1994-1996 (32). The highest death rates were found among whites, males, and persons 35-54 years. There were 1,335 medications ingested; 43% of persons ingested only one medication, 39% ingested two substances and 18% ingested three or more substances. 60% of the medications were narcotics, followed by anti-anxiety (12%), muscle relaxant (6.9%) and antidepressant (6.3%). The leading drugs were methadone (21%), hydrocodone (14%), oxycodone (10%), and alprazolam and propoxyphene (7% each). Males were significantly more likely than females to have ingested narcotics (OR 1.37, 95%CI 1.09-1.72) and anti-anxieties (OR 1.76, 95%CI 1.21-2.59); females were significantly more likely to have ingested tricyclic antidepressants (OR 1.65, 95%CI 1.03-2.63). Alcohol contributed to 18% of the drug overdoses.

Conclusion. Physician and patient education regarding the potential fatal consequences of drug ingestion are recommended. Further epidemiological research on risk factors and trends in medication prescription uses are needed.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the epidemiology of medication-related deaths in Oklahoma from 1994-200
• Identify the most common drugs contributing to unintentional medication-related deaths.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation