Citation

Vázquez Lima MJ, Álvarez Rodríguez C, López-Rivadulla Lamas M, Cruz Landeira A, Abellás Álvarez C. Emergencias 2012; 24(2): 121-125.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, SEMES - Sociedad Española de Medicina de Urgencias y Emergencias)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine the rate of attempted suicide in the health care area of Salnés, Spain, attended by the assigned emergency medical service (EMS) provider and to analyze epidemiologic variables.

METHODS: Retrospective study of all suicide attempts attended by the EMS over a 5-year period. Data analyzed were day and time emergency care was given, age of the patient, sex, history of psychiatric disease, alcoholism, drug abuse, and history of attempted suicide.

RESULTS: A total of 285 attempts were on record (annual incidence, 76.1/100 000 population). The mean (SD) age was 35 (15) years and 58.9% were women. A history of psychiatric disease was present in 74.4% of the patients, and 46.7% had attempted suicide before. This history was more common in patients in the age range of 18-65 years. Women attempted suicide more often than men. A history of multiple drug abuse and alcoholism was more common in the men who attempted suicide than in the women. Fewer attempts occurred in February and on Wednesdays.

Language: en

Keywords

Suicide; Attempted