Citation

Fores-Novales B, Díez-Fores P, Aguilera-Celorrio L. Gaceta Medica de Bilbao 2014; 111(4): 92-99.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to ascertain the incidence of suicide attempts in the critical care unit (CCU) of our hospital, to describe the epidemiological features of the patients, to know the utilization of clinical resources and the outcome in patients. Material and methods: Descriptive survey and retrospective analysis of clinical records in a Critical Care Unit of tertiary teaching Hospital. Consecutive patients admitted to the CCU with suicide attempt over one year were reviewed. Demographics, attempt method, underlying psychiatric disorders, toxicology results, intensive treatment, admission duration and outcome were recorded.

RESULTS: A total of 13 patients were included: 54 % females and 46% males. All patients had prior psychiatric history and 7 had previous suicide attempt. Drug intoxication was the most prevalent suicide attempt method (12 patients), and precipitation in one case. Mechanical ventilation was required in 8 patients, vasoactive agents in 3, and one patient were treated with haemodialysis. The mean stay was 2,57 days. 11 patients were discharged from CCU and 2 died.

CONCLUSION: Suicide attempts represented 2,25% of total CCU admissions. The most prevalent intensive therapy required was mechanical ventilation. The mean stay was half of the global mean stay in the CCU. Epidemiology of the patients was similar to the set of patients who committed suicide attempts. © 2014 Academia de Ciencias Médicas de Bilbao. All rights reserved.

Language: es

Keywords

human; Epidemiology; female; male; incidence; Suicide attempt; mortality; hemodialysis; suicide attempt; Critical care; toxicology; mental disease; retrospective study; clinical article; drug intoxication; hospital admission; length of stay; clinical feature; intensive care unit; demography; hospital discharge; artificial ventilation; health care utilization; Article; teaching hospital; medical history; medical record review; vasoactive agent; clinical outcome; tertiary care center; Mechanical ventilation; Vasoactive agents