Aim: Suicide is a global health problem with an increasing incidence among young adults and teenagers. The study was aimed at analyzing the profile and identifying the frequency, nature, and contributing factors of suicides.
Material and methods: This retrospective study included all patients who attempted suicide admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) of ‘St Spiridon’ Hospital Iasi - Romania, during 2015. They were analyzed by sex, age, residence, suicide method, associated pathology, potential risk factors and interventions.
Results and discussion: The study included 368 patients (53.81% female and 46.19% male). 63.58% were admitted to ED for drug ingestion, 14.13% for ingestion of organophosphorus compounds, rat poison, herbicide and corrosive substances and 22.28% for traumatic suicide attempts. Drug ingestion (42.11%) was preferred by women while self-inflicted cut injuries (14.94%) and corrosive substance ingestion (8.42%) were more common in males. Benzodiazepines ingestion (20.10%) followed by self-inflicted cut injuries (13.85%) and corrosive substance ingestion (6.52%) were the most frequently used suicide methods. At the time of admission to ED31.52% of patients were on psychiatric treatment and 65.48% were at the first suicide attempt. The admission rate was 57% and mortality rate 0.27%.
Conclusions: Suicidal behavior can be prevented by psychotherapeutic, pharmacological or neuromodulatory treatments for mental disorders. Also, regular follow-up of people who attempted suicide by mental health services is key to preventing future suicide attempts.