Evaluation of Patients Hospitalized in Intensive Care Unit Due to Drug-Related Suicide Attempt and Access to Drugs: A Single Center Prospective Study

• Main Authors: Fatih Doğu Geyik, Gülbin Töre Altun, Necati Çitak, Tülin Akarsu Ayazoğlu, Yaşar Gökhan Gül, Mehmet Toptaş
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Galenos Yayinevi 2014-06-01
• Series: Haseki Tıp Bülteni
• Subjects: Suicide; intensive care; drug abuse
• Online Access: http://www.hasekidergisi.com/article_4745/Evaluation-Of-Patients-Hospitalized-In-Intensive-Care-Unit-Due-To-Drug-related-Suicide-Attempt-And-Access-To-Drugs-A-Single-Center-Prospective-Study

Aim: We aimed to evaluate patients who were hospitalized in our intensive care unit due to drug-related suicide attempt (medical or insecticides) and their access to these drugs. Methods: We prospectively recorded the demographic characteristics and medical data of 50 patients (32 females and 18 males) who were hospitalized in our intensive care unit due to drug-related suicide attempt. Results: 66% of subjects were between the ages of 15 and 24 years with a mean age of 25.4±8.8 years. Multiple drug overdose was observed in 28% of patients. The unemployment rate was higher for women than men (p<0.001). Men obtained drugs from pharmacy more often than women (27.8% vs 6.2%, p=0,03). Of the patients, 86% got the drugs from home medicine cabinet while this rate was 93% among women (n=30). The level of toxicity was higher among patients who got the drugs from pharmacy than in those who used drugs at home (p=0.06). The length of stay in the intensive care unit was longer among patients with toxic level of medication (p=0.001). Conclusion: Patients usually use drugs or insecticides available at home to commit suicide. We believe that in patients with risk of suicide attempt, access to drugs should be limited and state regulations should be applied. (The Me­di­cal Bul­le­tin of Ha­se­ki 2014; 52:111-5)