Differential characteristics of unintentional poisoning deaths by main drug classes

Background/Purpose: Unintentional poisoning (UP) is a growing public health problem with steadily rising number of deaths. From 2002-2011, deaths from UP have risen from 67 to 199 deaths (197% increase). The primary cause of death in 2011 was from illicit drugs, other medications, and alcohol. The purpose is to examine differences in rates and increased odds in UP deaths across age, gender, and population size by drug class.

Methods: All UP deaths were obtained from Iowa Death Certificates (2009-2011). Main drug classes focused on included illicit drugs, other medications, and alcohol. Bivariate analyses of age, gender, and population size by drug class were performed. Rates of each drug class were calculated for covariates. Logistic regression was used to identify covariates associated with UP deaths among the three drug classes.

Results/Outcomes: There were 462 UP deaths in Iowa. Rates were higher in males across drug class, ages 25-44 for illicit drugs and other medications, and among urban populations for illicit drugs and in rural populations for other medications. Adjusted odds for alcohol-related poisoning deaths were 2.2 times more likely for males and half as likely to occur among those aged 25-44 than other medications. And those living in urban areas were 2.3 times more likely to die from illicit drug poisonings than other medications.

Conclusion: Males and those in urban populations were at increased risk of UP deaths and further investigation is warranted to determine the reason and means of prevention and control of poisoning deaths in this group.