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Published on: April 23, 2019
Analysis of suspected suicides using poison center data.
1University of Illinois, School of Public Health, Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Chicago, IL, USA.
Summary
This study analyzed suicide attempt calls, finding analgesics, antidepressants, and sedatives were most common. Youth suicide attempts decreased during holidays, suggesting protective factors during these periods.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Extensive research exists on suicide epidemiology and prevention, but less on non-fatal suicide attempts, especially those not requiring hospitalization.
- Understanding patterns in non-fatal suicide attempts is crucial for developing targeted prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze call data from the Illinois Poison Center (2002-2007) to describe substances used in non-fatal suicide attempts.
- To identify demographic or temporal patterns associated with these attempts, particularly in non-hospitalized individuals.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 43,057 calls related to suspected suicide attempts received by the Illinois Poison Center between 2002 and 2007.
- Utilized Poisson regression modeling to identify trends and significant factors influencing call volumes.
Main Results:
- The most frequently involved substances were analgesics, antidepressants, and sedative/hypnotic/antipsychotic medications.
- A significant decrease in suspected suicide attempt calls was observed during holiday and vacation periods, with this trend being more pronounced in youths.
Conclusions:
- Non-fatal suicide attempts involve common pharmaceutical classes, highlighting the need for monitoring and restricting access.
- Temporal patterns, such as reduced attempts during holidays among youth, warrant further investigation for potential protective factors and intervention development.
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