Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie
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Although morbidity and mortality of acute poisoning are increased in elderly compared to younger patients, little has been published on this topics in the last years (Medline search). To investigate the influence of age on the clinical course of acute poisoning with different toxic agents, a longitudinal retrospective study at the Toxicological Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the 2nd Department of Internal Medicine (Klinikum Nürnberg, Germany) was performed. A total of 5883 patients treated at our toxicological ICU were enrolled into the study, including all patients of the years 1982, 1992, and 1997. ⋯ Age, suicide attempt, and ingestion of (multiple) drugs seem to be risk factors for a higher mortality and a prolonged stay in the ICU after acute poisoning. Although in general the clinical course after poisoning has more complications and an impaired prognosis in old age, each category of toxic agents (drugs, alcohol, chemicals, etc.) has its own special "risk profile" for elderly patients. However, due to advances in modern ICU medicine the general prognosis of acute poisoning is good in old and even in oldest old patients.