Table 2 Clinical variables seen in the suicidal and accidental overdose groups
Variable | Accidental overdose (n = 13) | Suicidal overdose (n = 80) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
Presentation >24 hours after overdose (n/n studied [%]) | 6/9 (66) | 7/55 (13) | < 0.001 |
Peak acetaminophen (mg/l) | < 0.050 | ||
Mean ± SD | 64.5 ± 61.8 | 121.7 ± 97.0 | |
Median | 49 | 99 | |
Range | 0–184 | 0–439 | |
Peak acetaminophen <10 mg/l (n [%]) | 5 (38) | 8 (10) | NS |
Peak ALT (IU/l) | 0.070 | ||
Mean ± SD | 1386 ± 1918 | 580 ± 1836 | |
Median | 187 | 30 | |
Range | 30–5584 | 30–10356 | |
Peak AST (IU/l) | 0.070 | ||
Mean ± SD | 1330 ± 2697 | 504 ± 1708 | |
Median | 114 | 30 | |
Range | 30–9794 | 30–10773 | |
Peak aminotransferase >1000 IU/l (n [%]) | 5 (39) | 10 (12) | < 0.050 |
Peak prothrombin time (seconds) | < 0.050 | ||
Mean ± SD | 15.6 ± 7.4 | 12.7 ± 2.1 | |
Median | 12 | 12 | |
Range | 12–35 | 12–25 | |
Peak serum bilirubin (mg/dl) | < 0.050 | ||
Mean | 3.8 ± 5.5 | 1.3 ± 1.3 | |
Median | 1 | 1 | |
Range | 1–5 | 1–10 | |
N-acetylcysteine therapy (n [%]) | 8 (62) | 59 (73) | 0.500 |
Hepatic coma (n [%]) | 2 (15) | 0 (0) | < 0.050 |
Death (n [%]) | 2 (15) | 0 (0) | < 0.050 |
Length of stay in hospital (days) | < 0.010 | ||
Mean | 6.4 ± 6.1 | 3.9 ± 2.7 | |
Median | 4 | 3 | |
Range | 1–17 | 1–17 |