[Suicides and attempted suicides with corrosive substances 1968-2000]

The authors analyzed attempted and committed suicides with corrosive substances registered at the Department of the General Hospital of the Health Center "Dr. Gere Istvan" in Senta in the period 1968-2000. Out of 42 registered, there were 33 attempted and 9 committed suicides with corrosive substances. In regard to the total number of suicides attempted and committed with poisoning, these poisonings take the last place, that is they come after suicides by drug intoxication, organophosphorus compounds and rodenticides. Data analysis included substance, sex, education level, marital status, occupation and underlying disease. It has been established that in regard to attempted suicides there is no difference in sex distribution, but in committed suicides females prevailed. Most subjects were married, had elementary education and by profession most were housewives, workers and agricultural workers. The most common motives for suicide were family and marital conflicts as well as alcohol consumption. Depression and alcoholism were most frequent underlying diseases. According to gathered data, authors conclude that suicide attempts with corrosive substances are decreasing from year to year. Suicides are mostly attempted with concentrated alkalies, but committed with concentrated acids. Depression and alcoholism are the commonest underlying diseases in patients attempting suicide. Esophageal stenosis is the most common complication in attempted suicides, whereas gastric perforation with peritonitis and esophageal perforation with mediastinal abscess are the most frequent complications in committed suicides.