Independent risk factors for a complicated hospital course in intensive care unit overdose patients

Aim The purpose of the present study was to identify risk factors associated with a complicated hospital course in overdose patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Methods A total of 335 overdose patients were retrospectively studied in the surgical and medical intensive care unit of an academic tertiary hospital. Factors possibly associated with a complicated hospital course were evaluated. Complicated hospital course was defined as the occurrence of pneumonia, rhabdomyolysis, decubitus ulcer, nerve palsy, prolonged intubation, prolonged hospitalization, or death. Results Of the 335 overdose patients, 93 (27.8%) had a complicated hospital course. Complicated hospital course was found to be associated with a high number of ingested pills (median, 135 [interquartile range, 78–240] versus 84 [53–134] tablets, P