Suicidal attempts among Emergency Department patients: one-year of clinical experience

Suicidal ideation and attempts account for a significant number of Emergency Department visits and represent a major public and mental health problem. Suicide and suicide attempts are a major cause of death and morbidity worldwide.

111 suicide attempters (81 F (73%), 30 M (27%)) were consequently recruited in the Emergency Department of the Santa Maria della Misericordia, Perugia, Italy between June 2011 and June 2012. Patients were assessed and demographic and clinical data were collected in clinical records. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used as appropriate. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Females attempt suicide 3 times more frequently than males and generally use a non-violent suicide attempt method. In our sample unmarried status is the most represented and the most common diagnosis is major depressive disorder, followed by borderline personality disorder. Suicide attempts are more frequent in January.

It is of crucial importance to conduct a suicide risk assessment when subjects are admitted to an ED given that the strongest known predictor for future suicide is attempted suicide.