Suicidally motivated intoxication by psychoactive drugs: characterization among the elderly / A intoxicação por psicofármacos com motivação suicida: uma caracterização em idosos

ABSTRACT

Abstract Objective: to characterize suicidally motivated intoxication by psychoactive drugs among elderly people. Method: a retrospective and documentary study with a quantitative approach was carried out, based on the notification forms of 692 cases of suicidally motivated intoxications by psychoactive drugs, registered by the Centro de Assistência Toxicológica (the Toxicological Care Center) in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil from 2010 to 2014. The absolute and relative frequencies of social conditions, intoxication episodes and clinical conducts were obtained, and the Chi-squared Test was applied with a significance of p≤0.05. Results: elderly people aged between 60 and 69 years (65.9%), who were female and retired predominated. The most frequently used psychoactive drugs were antidepressants (48.3%) and anxiolytics/hypnotics (29.0%). The most frequent clinical conducts were the use of activated charcoal and gastric lavage. Moderate poisoning was the most frequent, and the main outcome was discharge arising from cure. There was a significant relationship between the elderly persons and gender, occupation, occurrence of intoxication at home, clinical manifestation and hospital admission. Conclusion: suicidally motivated poisoning by psychoactive drugs in elderly persons suggests the need to promote active aging, as well as the access to and rational use of these drugs, thereby reducing harm and preserving the lives of elderly persons. AU

RESUMO

Resumo Objetivo: caracterizar as intoxicações por psicofármacos com motivação suicida em idosos. Método: documental, retrospectivo, com abordagem quantitativa, desenvolvido a partir de 692 fichas de notificação de intoxicação por psicofármacos com motivação suicida, registradas pelo Centro de Assistência Toxicológica, no período de 2010 a 2014, em Fortaleza, CE, obtendo frequências absoluta e relativa das condições sociais, dos episódios de intoxicação e das condutas clínicas. Ainda houve aplicação do Teste qui-quadrado com significância de p≤0,05. Resultado: predominaram os idosos com idade entre 60 e 69 anos de idade (65,9%), sexo feminino e ocupação aposentado. Os psicofármacos mais utilizados foram os antidepressivos (48,3%) e ansiolíticos/hipnóticos (29,0%). O envenenamento moderado é o mais frequente e o principal desfecho a alta por cura. Conclusão: intoxicação por psicofármacos com motivação suicida em idosos sugere a necessidade de promoção do envelhecimento ativo bem como acesso e uso racional desses medicamentos, o que reduz danos e preserva a vida de idosos. AU