A Descriptive Analysis of Patients With Attempted Suicide at a Rural Level I Trauma Center.

Area of Science:

• Trauma Surgery
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Trauma bays are critical contact points for patients experiencing self-harm, suicide attempts, or completions.
• Understanding regional suicide patterns is essential for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically evaluate the characteristics of the suicidal population in Southeast Georgia over a nine-year period.
• To identify demographic, socioeconomic, and injury-related trends associated with suicide in the region.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of trauma database records from January 2010 to December 2019 at a Level I Trauma Center.
• Inclusion of all ages presenting with attempted suicide, death due to suicidal complications, or deaths highly suspicious for suicide.
• Analysis of demographic data, mechanism of injury, death rates, length of stay, injury severity, socioeconomic factors, and toxicology results.

Main Results:

• 381 total suicides (121 completions, 31.7% mortality) were recorded.
• The majority of suicides involved middle-aged White men, often from areas with higher unemployment and poverty.
• Gun violence was the most common mechanism of injury (75%), with penetrating injuries and firearm use significantly increasing mortality rates. Acute alcohol intoxication was present in 56.6% of patients.

Conclusions:

• Epidemiologic and socioeconomic trends in Southeast Georgia indicate higher suicide incidence among White males, regardless of local demographics.
• Suicides and attempts were more prevalent in areas with higher unemployment rates.
• Increased alcohol intoxication and deaths related to gun use are significant factors in regional suicide patterns.