Fatal antidepressant overdose among drug abusers and non-drug abusers.

Objective: This study examined the predictors, extent and pattern of fatal antidepressant overdose (FAO) in all psychoactive drug-related deaths and compared these in drug abusers and non-drug abusers.

Method: Inquest data on 491 psychoactive drug-related cases in England and Wales were analysed. We examined predictors of FAO relative to other drug-related deaths in drug abusers and non-abusers using logistic regression, and compared the relative fatality of different antidepressant classes using the Proportionate Fatality Index (PFI).

Methadone-related deaths: data from 18 coroners' jurisdictions in England.

This paper examines the methadone-related deaths (MRD) among entire cases of inquest on drug-related cases in 18 coroners' jurisdictions in England which were entered on the National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths during a six-month period in 1997. In 154 deaths methadone, either prescribed or not prescribed, was reported to be the substance directly implicated in the death of 40 individuals. The MRD between the prescribed and non-prescribed cases were compared in respect to various demographic variables and associated risks.

A case report of Usher's syndrome and anorexia nervosa.

Objective: This report describes the rare combination of anorexia nervosa, deafness, and visual impairment with a particular emphasis on management issues. To the author's knowledge, this is the first report of an eating disorder in a patient who is deaf with a visual impairment.

Discussion: It describes the history of such a patient and the difficulties encountered in her treatment.