Effects of suicide methods and demographic data on mortality in patients presented with suicide attempts to the emergency department

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between demographic properties, suicide methods and mortality in patients presented with suicide attempt to the emergency department (ED).
Methods: The patient charts presented with suicide attempt to ED of Dicle University between 01.01.2003 and 31.12.2007 were evaluated retrospectively. Age, gender, social and demographic features, suicide methods, period from attempt to admission and mortality were recorded..
Results: One thousand and eighty one patients were included into the study. Nine hundred and one (70.4%) patients were female and 380 (29.6%) were male. Mean age was 23.36(±7.53). Eight hundred and fifty five (66.7%) attempted suicide by taking drugs, 337 (% 26.3) by taking insecticides, 33 (% 2.6) by hanging, 19 (1.5%) by gunshots, 13 (1%) by jumping and 24 (1.9%) by ingesting corrosive solvents, Nine hundred fourty six (73.9%) patients were admitted from the city centers and 335 (% 26.1) were from rural areas. Five hundred seventy seven (45%) were married, 704 (55%) were single. Twon hundred ninety three (22.9%) had been working, 988 (77.1%) were unemployed. The mortality rate was 5.78% (n=74) cases. The mortality rates were significantly higher in patients with female gender, suicide with insecticide ingestion, hanging, gunshot and jumping.
Conclusions: Suicide is an important public health problem that concerns patients, relatives and society. Preventing mortality from suicide, social and demographic characteristics should be regarded by a multidisciplinary approach.