Trends in age-specific human poisoning exposures reported to a regional poison control center, 1997-2001

Vet Hum Toxicol. 2004 Feb;46(1):39-42.

Abstract

This study examined age-specific trends in the annual incidence rates of poisoning exposures reported to a regional poison control center over a 5-y period. Data from the poison control center's 1997-2001 computerized case records were combined with age-specific population estimates from the US Census Bureau. Incidence rates of reported poisoning exposures were calculated and evaluated for the following age groups: < 6 y; 6 to 12 y; 13 to 19 y; 20 to 35 y; 36 to 65 y; and > 65 years. Ordinary linear regression analysis revealed a statistically significant decreasing trend in the annual crude incidence rate of poisoning exposures/1.000 population (r2 = .87, slope = -.33 p = .02). Different patterns were observed in the rates of reported poisoning exposures between the 6 age groups. While there was a significant decrease in the rate of reported poisoning exposures in children < 6 y of age or less, and for adults 20-35 and 36-65 y-old, the incidence rate among children 6-12 y, adolescents, and people > 65 y-old showed no significant decreasing trend.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Medical Records
  • Middle Aged
  • New Jersey / epidemiology
  • Poison Control Centers / statistics & numerical data
  • Poison Control Centers / trends
  • Poisoning / epidemiology*
  • Poisoning / etiology*
  • Retrospective Studies