Clinical Analysis of the Suicidal Attempters Visiting Emergency Center

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To collect the data related to the clinical analysis of suicidal attempters who visited the emergency center of WonKwang University Hospital. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective analysis of 306 suicide attempters, observed in the WonKwang University Hospital Emergency Center from January 1st, 1998 to December 31th, 1998. RESULTS: 1) Factors related to increased occurrence were male(1.11), age of 2nd, 3rd & above 6th decade. 2) Poisoning was the most common method of suicidal attempt(90.8%). 3) The average observation time was 18.76+/-23.3 hour and average staying time in admitted patients were 40.4+/-32.3 hour. 4) Mortality rate was in male 23.1%(37/160) and in female 10.0%(15/146). 5) Among the suicidal attempters who admitted, 56 patients were admission(11.8%). 6) Consultant of neuropsychiatric department was only 10.5%(18/172), and most common underlying psychiatric disorder was depression(10/18). CONCLUSION: 1) To develope observation room decrease staying time in suicidal attempters. 2) All suicidal attempters were necessarily neuropsychiatric consultant and continuously follow-up.