Acute poisonings in Northern Finland in 2007–2017
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Auditorium 4, Oulu University Hospital
Topic of the dissertation
Acute poisonings in Northern Finland in 2007–2017
Doctoral candidate
Licentiate of Medicine Lauri Koskela
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Research Unit of Translational Medicine
Subject of study
Medicine
Opponent
Professor Matti Reinikainen, University of Eastern Finland
Custos
Professor Janne Liisanantti, University of Oulu
Poisoning deaths in Northern Finland mostly take place outside the hospital, and adolescents in low-income areas are at an increased risk of hospital-treated poisoning
Poisoning-related deaths have decreased both globally and in Finland. However, the substances responsible for poisonings are constantly changing, which can lead to fluctuations in the situation, as exemplified by the increase in opioid overdoses in the United States. In Finland, regional studies on poisonings have been relatively scarce. Northern Finland is a sparsely populated area where long distances pose particular challenges for the treatment of poisonings.
In my dissertation, I examine the ability of emergency dispatch centers and the Oulu-Koillismaa emergency medical services to identify poisoning patients. Additionally, I compare poisoning-related deaths in Northern Finland between urban and rural areas, as well as between those who died in the hospital and those who died elsewhere. I also analyze poisonings assessed in hospitals in Northern Ostrobothnia in relation to the median income levels of residential postal code areas. The studied periods fall within the years 2007–2017.
The results indicate that only a small proportion of poisoning-related deaths occur in hospitals. No significant difference in mortality was observed between rural and urban areas, but other differences in poisonings emerged; for example, alcohol was a more common cause in rural areas, whereas drug poisonings and suicides by poisoning were more prevalent in cities. The findings suggest that emergency dispatch centers and emergency medical services are generally effective in identifying poisoning patients.
The results also suggest that poisoning-related deaths can likely be reduced more effectively through preventive measures rather than by improving emergency or hospital care. Preventive efforts should be particularly targeted at high-risk groups, which, according to this study, include young people in low-income areas. Among adolescents (aged 13–17), the number of poisonings assessed in hospitals in relation to population was three times higher in low-income areas compared to other regions.
In my dissertation, I examine the ability of emergency dispatch centers and the Oulu-Koillismaa emergency medical services to identify poisoning patients. Additionally, I compare poisoning-related deaths in Northern Finland between urban and rural areas, as well as between those who died in the hospital and those who died elsewhere. I also analyze poisonings assessed in hospitals in Northern Ostrobothnia in relation to the median income levels of residential postal code areas. The studied periods fall within the years 2007–2017.
The results indicate that only a small proportion of poisoning-related deaths occur in hospitals. No significant difference in mortality was observed between rural and urban areas, but other differences in poisonings emerged; for example, alcohol was a more common cause in rural areas, whereas drug poisonings and suicides by poisoning were more prevalent in cities. The findings suggest that emergency dispatch centers and emergency medical services are generally effective in identifying poisoning patients.
The results also suggest that poisoning-related deaths can likely be reduced more effectively through preventive measures rather than by improving emergency or hospital care. Preventive efforts should be particularly targeted at high-risk groups, which, according to this study, include young people in low-income areas. Among adolescents (aged 13–17), the number of poisonings assessed in hospitals in relation to population was three times higher in low-income areas compared to other regions.
Last updated: 13.2.2025