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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

Suicide attempts and emergency room psychiatric consultation

Authors: Patrizia Zeppegno, Carla Gramaglia, Luigi Mario Castello, Fabrizio Bert, Maria Rosaria Gualano, Francesca Ressico, Isabella Coppola, Gian Carlo Avanzi, Roberta Siliquini, Eugenio Torre

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Suicidal behaviours are major public health concerns worldwide. They are associated with risk factors that vary with age and gender, occur in combination, and may change over time. The aim of our study was to investigate how frequently patients visiting a hospital emergency room (ER) require a psychiatric consultation for attempted suicide, and to outline the characteristics of this population.

Methods

Determinants of emergency room visits for psychiatric reasons were studied prospectively from 2008 to 2011 at the “Maggiore” Hospital in Novara.

Results

280 out of 1888 patients requiring psychiatric consultation were referred to the ER because of suicide attempt. Suicide attempters were more often female. The rate of suicide attempters among Italian people was 14.2%, compared to 19.5% in foreigners. Subjects living with parents or own family and those having a permanent job had a higher frequency of suicide attempt. Suicide attempts were more frequent among patients with a history of psychiatric disorders; nonetheless, suicide attempts were more common among those who had not previously been hospitalized in a psychiatric ward or were not under the care of a psychiatrist. The multivariate analysis found that female gender was a risk factor for suicide attempt, while being in the colder months of the year and, surprisingly, unemployment were protective factors.

Conclusions

A better understanding of patients referring to the ER due to attempted suicide may allow the identification of at-risk subjects and the implementation of targeted treatment approaches.
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Metadata
Title
Suicide attempts and emergency room psychiatric consultation
Authors
Patrizia Zeppegno
Carla Gramaglia
Luigi Mario Castello
Fabrizio Bert
Maria Rosaria Gualano
Francesca Ressico
Isabella Coppola
Gian Carlo Avanzi
Roberta Siliquini
Eugenio Torre
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-015-0392-2

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