PSU-TOX

This study investigates patterns of polysubstance use (PSU) and their association with mortality by applying principal component analysis (PCA) to toxicological data from autopsy cases in Norway. The dataset spans from 2004 to 2024 and includes blood concentrations of psychoactive substances. Through registry linkage to national health databases, the study aims to identify PSU patterns, analyze their temporal trends, and explore associations with overdose deaths and descriptive analyses of cause-specific mortality. The exploratory design leverages retrospective and cross-sectional data, with a focus on fatal poisonings and overdoses. Findings will inform understanding of substance combinations contributing to drug-related deaths and guide future public health interventions.