A review of GP records relating to methadone-associated deaths in the Lothian region of Scotland 1997-9

Aims : To ascertain the characteristics of patients whose death was associated with methadone intoxication during the period 1997-9 in the Lothian region of Scotland. Design : Patients were identified from death certificates. General practitioner records relating to methadone-associated deaths were reviewed in association with autopsy, toxicology and police reports. Deprivation categories (DepCat) were derived from the postal code of residence and the Carstairs index. Findings : There were 77 methadone-associated deaths in the Lothian Health Board area. GP records were obtained for 60 patients registered with a general practitioner. The majority of methadone-associated deaths (73%) occurred in persons who were not prescribed methadone at the time of their death. Thirty-eight persons were prescribed medication other than methadone or dihydrocodeine at the time of death. Thirty (79%) of those being prescribed for were receiving benzodiazepines. Forty-seven per cent had a history of excessive alcohol consump...