Attempted suicide by drug overdose in Kuwait

ABSTRACT

During 3 years, 227 cases of parasuicide by drugs and other chemicals were admitted to a teaching hospital in Kuwait serving a population of about 240 000 [40% Kuwaitis and 60% non-Kuwaitis]. These patients formed 3% of all acute medical admissions. Females, outnumbered by males in the population [11.5], formed 77%, and were significantly younger than males [22.5+6.1 and 26.05+7.2 years respectively]. All the patients were under 50 years old, 3% were older than 40, and 2.6% aged 13-15 years. The average annual parasuicide hospitalization rate was 57 per 100 000 in the population age groups mainly affected [15 to 50 years]; being higher in Kuwaitis [95] than non-Kuwaitis [46], and in females [81], than in males [24]. The parasuicide recorded was the first attempt in 87%; one drug was used by 67%, and in 74.7% of the cases the drug was prescribed to the patient or a relative. Paracetemol was used by 36.5% of patients, aspirin by 19%, barbiturates by 8%, tranquillisers and antidepressants by 14.5%, and liquid chemicals by 11%. Fenfluramine was used by 4.8% other drugs by 18%; and 12.7% used unknown drugs. A psychiatrist assessed 112 cases. Established psychiatric illness was diagnosed in 34.8% of the patients affecting 28.2% of the referred females and 55.5% of the referred males. The hospital mortality was 0.88%