The epidemiology of parasuicide in Edmonton

The objective of this study was to examine some of the characteristics of parasuicides in Edmonton and to calculate rates of parasuicide. The method involved examining all records of parasuicides attending the University of Alberta Hospitals for a six month period (20% of all parasuicides in Edmonton are treated at the University of Alberta Hospitals). The results indicated that 58% of 275 subjects were single. The most frequent method (88.6%) of parasuicide was overdose. The peak age group was 25 to 29 years of age. The age range was 12 to 80 years (six percent < 15 years), mean age 30.2. The female to male ratio (cases) was 1.6:1; 30.2% were admitted; 46.5% received psychiatric emergency consultation; 41% had made a previous parasuicide. Calculated rates of parasuicide in Edmonton were at 448/100,000/year for those 15 years and older (men 357, women 534). The overall rate is higher than that found in any centre in the WHO/EURO investigation. The conclusion is that parasuicide presents a significant public health problem, and a cost burden on the health care system.