Citation

Jiménez Morón D. Psiquiatr. Biol. 2004; 11(6): 211-218.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Foglio Editora)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Drug overdose is the most common method of attempted suicide but few studies mention the quantity of drugs ingested.

METHOD: The number of tablets used in cases of voluntary drug overdose attended in a mental health unit over a 9-year period was analyzed. The association between this number and sociodemographic, clinical and therapeutic variables and the characteristics of the suicide attempt was evaluated.

RESULTS: In more than 75% of cases, the medical records contained information about quantity and type of drug used. The number of tablets ingested was usually between 10 and 20 (43.71%) and benzodiazepines were used in almost 70% of cases. Significant differences were found in the quantity of tablets taken according to sex, age, psychiatric history, repeated suicide attempts and the presence of personality disorders. The proportion of patients with an indication for admission to a psychiatric unit increased with the number of tablets ingested. In 81% of second suicide attempts, the number of tablets ingested was equal to or less than that in the first suicide attempt.

CONCLUSIONS: The number of tablets used in drug overdoses can be useful when assessmant patients who have attempted suicide. Further studies with an appropriate design to classify the relationship between the number of tablets ingested and factors such as intentionality or perceived lethality should be performed.

Language: es

Keywords

adult; human; female; male; Suicide attempt; drug use; suicide attempt; drug overdose; article; major clinical study; controlled study; neuroleptic agent; personality disorder; drug intoxication; hospital admission; benzodiazepine derivative; mental health center; drug utilization; tablet; Self-poisoning; Drug overdose