[Epidemiological study of attempted suicide managed at the hospital emergency department]

Abstract

Purpose: The authors investigate psychiatric and sociodemographic characteristics of the patients attended at the emergency department in the General Hospital of Mostoles, after their suicidal intent, and of those who repeated a suicidal intent in the first year of follow-up.

Methodology: It is a prospective study, with a duration of one year, in a real sample with 119 patients randomized as a stratified sample from the population attended after their intent. Data recollection was made with a psychiatric semi-structured interview and Beck's letality and suicidal intent scales. Recruitment and follow-up periods were one year long for each of them. Statistical analysis was realized with the chi square test and Fischer's exact test to evaluate associations among cualitative variable and the variance analysis of the relations between qualitative and quantitative variable.

Results: Suicide intent ratio was 82/100,000 inhabitants, being in 83% by medicament ingestion. 71% were women, 66% were between 15 and 30 years old, 50% were unmarried and 12% were separated. 33% suffered from a affective disorder, and 23% were alcohol abusers. 6% of them bad a psycotic disorder. 52% of the patients had previous psychiatric disorders and 43% had been in treatment. 46% of them had someone in their families with a psychiatric disorder. 29% were repeaters after a previous attempt. Concerning to a prior contact with the Mental Health Services in the preceding month Significant differences were observed by age, but no significant differences were observed by sex. 26% used alcohol prior to the intent, mainly men. EIB and ELB ratings were significatively higher in retired than in students. Among the patients who repeated their intent (14.5%) of the followed, 78% were women, with an age between 30 and 56 years old. 61% were diagnosed having an affective disorder and 10% had psycotic disorders. 88% of the repeaters were in psychiatric treatment for five years or more.