Deaths by poisoning in New Zealand, 2008–2013

AbstractIntroduction: While a number of developed countries have witnessed a decline in carbon monoxide (CO) deaths and increasing numbers of opioid-related fatalities, it is not known whether these or other trends have occurred in New Zealand. The aim of this study was, therefore, to review deaths due to poisoning in New Zealand, describe the causative substances, and identify any trends.Methods: Retrospective study reviewing New Zealand’s poison-related death findings recorded in the National Coronial Information System (NCIS) database over the 6-year period 2008–2013.Results: We identified 1402 poisoning-related deaths recorded in the NCIS database representing a mortality rate of 5.4 deaths/100,000 population per year. The mortality rate due to poisoning was higher in males (6.96/100,000) than females (3.83/100,000). Fatalities peaked in the 40–50-year age group with the highest proportion of intentional deaths occurring in people aged 80–90 years. Pharmaceuticals accounted for 731 fatalities (52%) an...