TY - JOUR PY - 2014// TI - Epidemiological and clinical features of suicide attempts admitted to the critical care unit JO - Gaceta Medica de Bilbao A1 - Fores-Novales, B. A1 - Díez-Fores, P. A1 - Aguilera-Celorrio, L. SP - 92 EP - 99 VL - 111 IS - 4 N2 - 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

LA - es SN - 0304-4858 UR - http://dx.doi.org/ ID - ref1 ER -